Bag it or paint it?

So I've got alot of hours put in at work and I've got some money saved up! I've also got my tax return coming in as well! Its not much but it'll help!

So the weather is getting warmer, and I've got two options. I can either get my truck redone up to the paint job, or I can do a bag job! It will pretty cheap for me to do the paint job. I just have to pay for the materials for bodywork, and the tools are free to use as well as the paint booth because I do auto body at school.

Or I can do a bag job. I do not really have tools to do it. I could invest on the tools at a pawnshop that specializes on tools, etc. to get the job done. I have only my backyard to do it, and no other way around town for transportation except the city bus!

I know its my choice in what I should do, but I'm just wondering whats easier to do first. I assume the bag job first because I can work around the setup when I paint it. My question is just how much I will have to invest in the bag job to get it done right!

I'm wondering who I should go through, what I should get and what will give me the most drop and rise. I know that I will need a kit, but what?

I was thinking of a 12 gallon tank. Will that fit in the back of my bed in the front perpendicular to length of the bed? Like right in front of the wheel wells. I just dunno how much 12 gallons will give you. 2 compressors or one? What would make the diff. in the amount of compressors except the fact of quicker air-up? I won't be in any competitions of the sort. I just want to drop it, not go all out crazy hoppin' around the streets!

I think 1/2 valves are good for quick drops not slow, right? I can't really think of anything else to ask except what the diff. is between 4 linking and C-notching?

Don't you have to relocate the shocks no matter what? Moving the fuel cell, etc. What else? I would like to know all the parameters to doing it all the way and an estimated cost to doing it all!

I think if anything, I would do a techie write-up if I do it, or someone else should definitely do it! It would really be worth the time to doing it because it would make it THE thread for all troubleshooting and there would be alot less of me going around and asking the same question as everyone else has!

Hey man you have alot of questions going on but I'll do my best to answer all of them... First off I think you should definatley bag the truck rather than paint it. You'll have alot more fun draggin your truck then sportin a new paint job.

As far as how much you can bag a truck for I'd say you can run a pretty decent set-up on a budget around $1000-1500.

If you looking for someone to go throughg to get parts/bags I own a company and would be more than willing to work with you through the process and answer all your questions. Heres a link to my site if you wanted to check out some prices

As long as you run a 8-10" c-notch you can get as much drop as your looking for.

Heres a general list of parts your gonna need:
(4)-Airbags
Air Valves [ie] (4 valves = front/back motion) (8 valves =front/back/L.side/R.side motion)
Air Compressor
Air Tank
50' DOT Air Line
8-10" C-Notch
Universal 4-Link Kit
Water Trap
Relay
Pressure Switch
Torsion Front Bag Bracket Kit

If your thinkin of going with a 12 Gallon tank yes that will fit in the back of the bed in front of the wheel wells. 12 Gallons of air is plenty, you can run one compressor it will just take longer to initially fill up the tank. Two compressor would be ideal on a 12 gallon tank but if your on a budget you can get by w/ just one.

Yes 1/2" valves are good for a fast drop if thats what your looking for.

The difference between a 4-link and a C-notch can be answered as they are totaly different and not even in the same class. A C-notch is the metal "notch" you cut out of your frame to make clearance for you axle as you lay your truck out. Without a C-notch your truck cant lay.

On the other note a 4-Link is the new suspension which you build in place of your rear stock leaf springs. This becomes your new support and drivetrain as it keeps your axle in place.

Yes, your shocks will have to be relocated both in the front and rear. This isnt really a big deal, all you'll need to do is fab up some new tabs for mounting

You gas tank doesnt necessarly have to be moved. It just depends on how you run you 4-Link and how far the tank sits off the ground when the truck is layin frame.

I hope I answered all your questions, if theres anything else I can do just let me know. Also check out the site for prices on individual prices

I should get about nearly $2000 in the next month saved up. That would probably only take about half to do a full job on my truck for paint at school! Oh well... I can always do it at home and take it to a shop for the paint and primering.

-I wonder, how reliable is a bag setup?
-If its done right, what would need to be maintained?
-Can't you run it in the winter as well as long as I get some antifreeze type stuff for the lines, etc.?

I was thinking of only suicide doors and whynotfab, but I'll check you out! I wan't to get the best bang for my buck!

-How does the C-notch work? I know its there so you don't have axle wrap, but what else does it do? Can't you mount the bags under the c-notch?

-Then from there I would assume however high your bags are at fll inflation is how much rise you will get?

I would like to run two compressors if its a 12 gal. tank. So basically the C-notch is a mandatory thing.

-Could I get a bridge kit instead of a 4-link system?
-Do you have a 4-link system for our trucks, and a shock relocation kit as well?
-And what are the best airbags?
-Also, if I were to get, say 6" instead of 8" bags, what will be the difference?

I want to get a 2 compressors that are decent but not extreme!
A 12 gal. tank, which would need to be 8 ports to achieve F.B.S.S. right?
Then 8 valves at 1/2"; Dunno what brand is good...
4 air bags, I dunno what is good either!
The 50 ft. of air line. I've been told that I should go with a braided airline instead of plastic.
C-notch or whole bridge kit?
4-link still? And do I need a panhard bar, I dunno what that is either, lol.
Water trap
Relay
Pressure switch

-Whats the check valve?

Torsion kit for front? I thought, the bags mount where the shocks are and thats it?

Sorry if its alot to ask, but thats to be understood if your new to it! I hope you can answer 'em all! Also, what would be cheaper? Getting a kit from you or doing individual parts? I see the kits, but I dunno if I like some of them. lol.

bag it man your pain is clean enough to rock for another year

bag it have fun now save money agin then reapint also wont have to worry about welding splatter hitting your new paint

K, first off an C-Notch, Bridge Kit and 4-Link are not interchangeable. A C-Notch and bridge kit are interchangeable but not the 4-Link. I would go with the bridge kit if I were you there pretty nice and worth the money!

The 4-Link kit you would use would be the Universal 4-Link Kit, it comes with the two lower bars, two upper bars, and all the hardware and mounting tabs needed.

The shock relocation is just a general think all you need is some new tabs but yes I can get that for you as well.

I'd say go with the Slam Specialties bags, there are very reliable and ride great!

The differernce between 6" and 8" bags is the amount of lift they'll expand. The lift can also be increased depending on the mounting location or if your running a canitlever system.

Either the Viair 380 or 450 would be a good reliable compressor for you. I actually am running a special on them for the month of March.
2 Viair 380 = 258.97 which is pretty damn cheap for two compressors


Yes, you will need 8 ports on your 12 gallon tank heres a link also


For your valves I'd either run GC Extreme valves or SMC. These both are very well built valves as well as reliable. For the month of March I also have a special on GC 250 1/2" Valves. There 28.97ea


For you bags like I said I'd run some Slam Specialties heres a link for a bag which would work great for you and also fairly cheap


Heres a bridge kit which you could use it comes with all the brackets to mount your bags as well as shock relocation tabs


if your on a budget braided line is going to cost you a fortune. Im not sure why you would use that either its good for the compressor leader hose but I wouldnt use it to run your whole system. Heres a link to the air line I was talking about. It's cheap and there's plenty of it.


Your going to need a 4-Link no matter what. Heres a link to the 4-Link system you could use on your truck. You'll see two of them from this link one has regualar rod ends and the other has super pivot rod ends which will give you better movement and ride quality


The water trap goes between your compressor leader hose and your air tank. it seperates the water from the compressed air which is going into your tank. This keeps your tank from rusting out. Heres some options for water traps


The relay is used to relay the power from your power source (ie) battery to your compressor without this your compressor will have no power unless its hard wired which is not a good idea! Here a basic relay which most people use. You'll need one relay for each compressor


The pressure switch is used to read the pressure in your air tank and when the pressure gets low it tells the compressor to turn back on and fill it up.
Heres a relay which will work great for you.


The check valve comes built into the Viair leader hose's. It makes sure no pressure /air is being back fed through the line.

Heres the torsion kit your gonna need. The bags do mount down there but your gonna need all the correct mounting brackets/gussests. This kit contains all that you'll need for the front.


It all depends on the kit you get depending on what your looking for the kits can either be cheaper or more expensive. If I were you I'd buy the parts as you have the money. Take for instance you could buy the GC valves which i have on special as well as your compressors. Just bargain shop, I'll continually post our specials each month so just keep your eyes open or shoot me a PM.

Just know that Im trying to help you out an dont solicite. I'd love to have your business but its all up to you. All us companies for the most part carry the exact same parts. It then becomes about customer service and that is were i can really help you. Im willing to invest the time which is needed to help you suceesd in your project. Just let me know if you have anymore questions....

Seriously!!! painting it should come after all the welding and fabrication. It be a shame to mess up that brand new paint as you were baggin it. Your paint looks fine and will look even better after its bagged!

Yep,bag first or youll ruin the paint if you do it later..

I don't really understand how you would mess the paint up, lol. But okay... Maybe the back of the cab? You always put welding blankets in sensitive areas...

Aye.. Regardless, I calculated it to be almost $1500 for the shebang! But I dunno if that gets me free shipping? I hope! I can't imagine how much that'll cost! YIKES!

This is what I have:

Torsion Front Airbag Brackets - $54.97
145/175 PSI Non-Adj Pressure Switch - $18.97
30/40 Amp Relay with Socket(2) - $5.97
ASCO Water Trap 1/2"(2) - $28.97
Super Pivot Universal Triangulated 4 Link Kit - $389.97
50ft of 1/2" DOT Reinforced Air Line(2?) - $28.97
Basic Bridge Kit - $154.97
Slam Specialties RE-8 200 PSI Single Port(4) - $74.97
GC Xtreme1/2" 250psi Valve(8 ) - $28.97
Black 12 Gallon 8 Port - $77.97
Viair 380 Dual Pack - $258.97
10 Switchbox - $29.97
Guages - How many and what?

This is off of your website Retro. I suppose I could wait until you go through all the products and put them on sale, lol! I did'nt know what I needed for guages, and what and mow much airline either. If there is something there that should be changed, let me know! I want to make sure I got everything...

I'm not sure if I'll get to airbag it this spring, but summer might be looking good for it! There is an auto store thats holding sound competitions, and I think I want to finish my audio all up and make it look perty for the events! Don't wanna look ghetto! I've also got a couple more things for my performance, too. Trying to get my exhaust redone and put headers in... Maybe a tranny rebuild and whatnot... Lol! Alot to balance out!

Thats why I'm trying to see what you have for deals! And also, how reliable is those 380's going to be? I dunno what the difference is between them and say the 450's?

Bag it for sure. Do all the messy work first before you go and make things look shiny.