i just read somethin about airbags mounted to the control arms for a suspension setup. theoretically this would work but has anybody here had experience in mounting springs or anything the the control amrs? does this put too much stress on the control arms? it seems to me that this wouldnt be a good idea but it sure would flex like a beast!! if you mounted the springs to the control arms it would drastically reduce the travel of the spring as compared to the travel of the axle. am i right? am i smokin crack?

airbags mounted to the control arms for a suspension setup. If i understand you correctly, what you are talking about is a cantilever (sp?) radius arm setup. It has tow advantages over a traditional radius arm setup 1) stiffer springs can be used, as the increased leverage applies a larger force to the spring/airbag, and makes them compress/droop more. 2) shorter springs can produce more wheel travel. This is especially cool in coilover setups, and more travel = more $$$$$$$$$. As far as loading the control arms more, the part between the spring/airbag and the axle would see increased stress, but using srronger tube and gussets could easily take care of this. It is a good concept certainly, I would really like to see one well done.

Your talking a suspension like the rear of this Jeep:

http://www.timbertamers.org/runs2002/moses2002/moses%20cleanup%202002%20122.jpg

It works well, flexes well too... I've seen it go through a lot of abuse and never failed. The biggest problems it has had is dropping the rear springs under too much droop. But that was fixed a while ago.

Originally posted by FCwheeler
If i understand you correctly, what you are talking about is a cantilever (sp?) radius arm setup.

Is that what you would call the picture above?

What kind of cantilever would this shock setup be called then?

that jeep flyin through the air is exactly what i was talkin about. i think thats what ill do to my xj. hehehehe. im redoin the front suspension and am doing a completely custom contyrol arm setup so i might as well do ti the best way i can! i think im gonna use air bags though.

if i'm not mistaken, i think that the Camo-Mobile has his coilovers mounted to the control arms...

Originally posted by JParuBob
if i'm not mistaken, i think that the Camo-Mobile has his coilovers mounted to the control arms...

Yup,

Any one have a pic of the airbags in question?

i had just heard something about somebody mounting airbags to the control arms instead of to the axle like most do with springs. there wasnt a certain airbag setup i was wondering about just the general configuration and i guess it works pretty well cause several people use it. looks like its gonna be gusseted lower links with the airbags mounted to them and wishboned upper link. these are the bags i was planning on slam www.specialties.com i was gonna use the 300 psi 8 inch stroke ones because they seem to be the heaviest duty ones. it would just suck to blow an airbag if that is even remotely possible.

The jeep in the air is using 2x4? 3/16 wall box tube. He hasn't bent anything.. yeah.. a bit heavy, but doubles as a skid, the weight is low, etc. Not the way I would personally do it, but its gotta have the strongest lower control arms I have ever seen.

Blow an airbag? yup, it happens. Thats why I would never depend entirely on them. too much to go wrong.

the link i posted was screwed up its really www.slamspecialties.com they will withstand 300 psi air pressure and seem pretty stout to me. i see pics of these bags on trucks that can hop 3 feet straight up in the air and land and not blow a bag. thats pretty good for somebody who doesnt air there jeep.