BUILD THREAD 79 Malibu wagon not slow not fast

[Malibu795]

I Ran air ride on multiple GN trailers.. those compressors can become temperamental for sure.
Being in the Midwest and winter, biggest 4 problems I had was check valve would freeze up, and compressor wouldn't shut off
Pressure switch got plugged
Tank too small.
Which all created excessive run times that burned the pump up
Or wires where too small creating high amp draw/load which burnt the motor up.
The aluminum ones where leased, wish I owned them.

 

[scoti]

I Ran air ride on multiple GN trailers.. those compressors can become temperamental for sure.
Being in the Midwest and winter, biggest 4 problems I had was check valve would freeze up, and compressor wouldn't shut off
Pressure switch got plugged
Tank too small.
Which all created excessive run times that burned the pump up
Or wires where too small creating high amp draw/load which burnt the motor up.
The aluminum ones where leased, wish I owned them.

I have a basic, no-frills manual paddle valve system that uses Thomas compressors. When I first got it back on the road after its updates/mods for air suspension, I used the same size compressor model front & rear w/each end as its own isolated system.

I didn't have any issues from 2016 through probably '22. I needed to move it one day (it sits air'd-out for security during idle periods) but only the rear compressor would run. Not a big deal really to 'add' air to the tank but the issue is transferring air 'tank to tank'. The front needs 110psi to lift the truck to desired ride height. If I fill my portable air tank, it has a 120psi cut-off switch which only yields about 100psi once you try & fill to the bags. While it lifts the front end off the ground, it's still too low for the almost 30" tall front tires to turn w/o interference. I replaced the compressor but the replacement model is no longer identical & apparently not up to the task after also swapping the pressure cut-off switch to a 135psi limit. Seems it's drawing too much juice & popping the fuse.

My option was to buy another, larger compressor for the fronts since the original 'size' replacement model seems limited. Instead, I fabbed some coil spring locating hats for the air-bag style of A-arms the truck got when I did Caster upgrades. Out came the bags; in went the original trimmed front coils (<$30 for the steel tubing vs $259-350 for a compressor w/more volume/output).
The rears only require about ~50psi to achieve ride height so that original compressor is doing fine (10yrs old this June).

I used a similar Firestone compressor in my other 1/2 ton Chevys. It was purchased in 2000 & still works after >10yrs of use in those two trucks + emergency use in 2016 for my dually.

 

[Malibu795]

All 3 of those trailers ran Viair 450C compressors.. with 5-10gl tanks.... I usually replace the bladed fuse with 30A thermal breakers on them. With at least 10ga wire pending the length of run. Usually I can stick a battery close by, then the tow vehicle would charge the battery and the air compressor and Electric over hydraulic pump had a 78 group battery to feed them.

110psi, those bags were not very big, granted can't really stick a larger bag under the front


Nice collection of trucks 😎

 

[scoti]

All 3 of those trailers ran Viair 450C compressors.. with 5-10gl tanks.... I usually replace the bladed fuse with 30A thermal breakers on them. With at least 10ga wire pending the length of run. Usually I can stick a battery close by, then the tow vehicle would charge the battery and the air compressor and Electric over hydraulic pump had a 78 group battery to feed them.

110psi, those bags were not very big, granted can't really stick a larger bag under the front


Nice collection of trucks 😎

I probably should have done a 5gal(F)/3gal(R) tank vs 3gal tanks F&R.
My compressors utilize 10ga wiring (2ga from the battery to a power strip; 10ga fused @ 30amp to relays; 10ga from relays comp power lead). Relays are triggered w/12v from the ignition switch w/a toggle switch to Ground for killing them if desired.

Thanks for sharing your set-up info. That Viair 450 (or a 480) is what I was considering for the front if I decide to swap the bags back in place.

 

[Malibu795]

The 480 didn't exist at the time I was pulling those trailers.. the 450 is $$ and extremely tough unit though not indestructible

We ran something like this to maintain ride height. Some had a dump switch others didn't.. the valve mounts to the frame and there are a couple arms that link the axle to it.