Air Bagging a Bomb on a Budget - Part 3

The air lines to the front bags are wrapped with plastic loom and mounted up high inside of the frame to keep them out of harm's way.

Finally, a two-switch panel (for front and back moves) with a dual-needle air pressure gauge was mounted up under the dash near the steering wheel. Then the system was aired up and checked for leaks.

Then, Michael covered the bridge with a custom black vinyl panel, put the OE trunk panels back in, installed his Sony bass speaker box (which can be unplugged when more trunk space is needed) and mounted the Coker Firestone spare tire, jack and tools. Next stop, the muffler shop.

In order for the car to "lay" in the back and still clear the exhaust, Leonard Jr., at Lou's Mufflers (in Hawaiian Gardens, California) built a new mandrel-bent exhaust system.

The new 131/44-inch aluminized-steel exhaust system was routed over the rear axle and around the gas tank.

New exhaust hangers with polyurethane bushings were installed and 111/42-inch chrome "pencil" tips welded to the ends. (Note: The exhaust tucks up so high, the rear crossmember had to be notched for the tips.)

As you can see, the exhaust tips just clear the ground when the rear of the car is down all of the way in the back.

The rear of the Chevy will lay frame with the Coker Firestone tires tucking.

As this crushed pack of Camels shows, the front lays "too low for the law!"

At the flick of a switch, the car is lifted to the stock ride height. (Note: Be sure to have the front end aligned at ride height right away to prevent tire wear.)

The Bag Man also sells complete pre-built air-ride systems with wireless remote control for a turn-key installation.