front airbag/shock combo?

[70_boosted]

i have the mazda b2200 front half cut. its set for airbags but not for shocks. do i need to run shocks? ive heard yes and no's. i have shocks going in the rear with the bags, but so far i have just bags set for the front. anyone?

 

[93blazer4dr]

no you dont need shocks on the front but you can add them to get a softer ride but they are not needed.

 

[BigIrish]

You will be much better off with shocks, esp at highway speeds. The front wheels will be hopping around pretty good over any small bumps without shocks. Going around a curve with the front wheels bouncing and losing contact with the road is not good...

 

[IAM-LDS-2]

i have the mazda b2200 front half cut?[/QUOTE What does that mean , did I miss something in another thread .

 

[93blazer4dr]

You will be much better off with shocks, esp at highway speeds. The front wheels will be hopping around pretty good over any small bumps without shocks. Going around a curve with the front wheels bouncing and losing contact with the road is not good...

this is not true i have a truck on air ride and no front shocks its been that way since i bagged it over 6 years ago and never had 1 problem out of it no wheel hopping or anything. [

 

[70_boosted]

sorry, was quoting what front end i had for my frame. i have a build thread that hasnt been updated in awhile, until tonight i will.

i have a front cut from a mazda b2200 2wd truck. has wonderful articulation for airbags so when it slams, doesnt bind or anything, i really like it even tho its an independent front. i believe i will try running just the bags, if i must, will begin fabbing some setups with shocks;only when needed when its a driver.

onto the rear. i think i have issues with my shocks. i bought shocks for a s10, yet i think i will have binding for i think there a bit longer then my setup needs. i may look into running a smaller rear shock, and selling the others...if anyone is interested in slammed mini truck shocks.

 

[zzrodder]

I think it depends on what pressure you are at when driving. If it's high, you might not notice the absence of shocks so much. Personally I would always recommend using them on any suspension, especially the front. It may seem OK without them on smooth roads, but if you are going at any speed around corners and hit potholes or uneven pavement you will be in trouble - to yourself and others.
Air springs are progressive, that is, the more you compress them the higher the spring rate and the more they rebound. With that in mind they usually require heavy duty shocks to control those tendencies. Shocks aren't just for comfort, it's a safety issue.

 

[70_boosted]

once i have everything in place and a nice rolling chassis i can get a feel for where i have the room for tabs and such for shocks.