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+--- Thread: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? (/showthread.php?tid=6819)
Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-16-2015
I am thinking of retrofitting these to the rear on my '84 300D : https://bagriders.com/modlab/products/AIR-LIFT-75592-CHAPMAN-UNIVERSAL-STRUTS.html
I simply want to be able to adjust to different load conditions while maintaining an even stance, maybe even tow a small trailer. I have heard that the narrower sliding sleeve bags like these - are a little softer riding than the bellows-style bags. The bags above are rated for 750 lbs ea. @ 100 psi which is very close to the needed load range, maybe a bit low. I think the bags can handle pressures as high as 150 psi, but not sure yet...
Has anyone tried this?
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Tito - 10-17-2015
I have those on my w114. It came with the car when I bought it because there's a 85l propane gas tank in the back. To be honest.... I don't see any differences empty or at 6 bar (87 psi)
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-17-2015
(10-17-2015, 11:29 AM)Tito I have those on my w114. It came with the car when I bought it because there's a 85l propane gas tank in the back. To be honest.... I don't see any differences empty or at 6 bar (87 psi)
Woah! Propane in the trunk... that sounds like fun, (assuming your w114 is a diesel)
I did some more research into these and it looks as if the lifting capability is adequate for the rear of a VW Golf... they say 750 lbs. force @ 100 psi
I think the 300D that I have will need rear spring with approx. 1000 - 1200 lbs lifting force considering the vehicle weight of 3,650 lbs, a 54/46 frt/rear weight distribution, and the spring location on the lever arm of the rear suspension geometry.
That means that I need a spring with a footprint of around 11 sq in. or just under 4" diameter. The chapman strut that I linked to in the original post is too small considering that it has a hole through the middle to accommodate the shock strut.
I guess that means a no-go...
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Eric78 - 10-17-2015
(10-17-2015, 02:13 PM)kestreltom Woah! Propane in the trunk... that sounds like fun,
That's pretty standard for an Australian taxi.
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-17-2015
(10-17-2015, 04:58 PM)Eric78(10-17-2015, 02:13 PM)kestreltom Woah! Propane in the trunk... that sounds like fun,
That's pretty standard for an Australian taxi.
Here in New Mexico, they use both propane and nos injection to drag race diesel trucks. Propane can be very violent if not used carefully.
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Tito - 10-18-2015
It's just a petrol car converted to run on gas. Saves a ton of money here.
But no need for it anymore because it's going STD
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - NZScott - 10-18-2015
These do the same thing
http://polyair.com.au/products/polyair-red-series/
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-18-2015
(10-18-2015, 01:38 AM)NZScott These do the same thing
http://polyair.com.au/products/polyair-red-series/
I considered installing those, but my '84 300D has coilovers - so they are not an option. I also looked at relocating the shocks, since there are loads of options that way... but there is limited room. Do you know where to relocate the shocks?
I installed a pair of springs from an '81 300SD at the local UPull&Pay, but they are sagging already. I think the easiest and cheapest option is this: http://www.slsconversion.com/w123_Perf_Springs.php
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-18-2015
(10-18-2015, 12:17 AM)Tito It's just a petrol car converted to run on gas. Saves a ton of money here.
But no need for it anymore because it's going STD
How much do you pay per liter of petrol in the Netherlands?
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - NZScott - 10-19-2015
Ooops, never took a look under the back, always assumed wagons were the only chassis with the shock in the middle...
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Tito - 10-19-2015
(10-18-2015, 12:03 PM)kestreltom(10-18-2015, 12:17 AM)Tito It's just a petrol car converted to run on gas. Saves a ton of money here.
But no need for it anymore because it's going STD
How much do you pay per liter of petrol in the Netherlands?
about 1.60 EUR per liter, about 1.17 pounds
LPG (liquified petrol gas) is about 0.70 EUR per liter, and about 0.51 pounds.
But the main savings are on 30+ year old cars. Het are easy to convert to gas and you don't have to pay road tax, which goes by weight of the car. A lot of people are abusing this sadly. Driving heavy luxury classic cars daily for almost nothing.
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-19-2015
(10-19-2015, 03:31 AM)Tito(10-18-2015, 12:03 PM)kestreltom(10-18-2015, 12:17 AM)Tito It's just a petrol car converted to run on gas. Saves a ton of money here.
But no need for it anymore because it's going STD
How much do you pay per liter of petrol in the Netherlands?
about 1.60 EUR per liter, about 1.17 pounds
LPG (liquified petrol gas) is about 0.70 EUR per liter, and about 0.51 pounds.
But the main savings are on 30+ year old cars. Het are easy to convert to gas and you don't have to pay road tax, which goes by weight of the car. A lot of people are abusing this sadly. Driving heavy luxury classic cars daily for almost nothing.
That's interesting about the older cars. You are paying the equivalent of 6.89 US per gallon.... yikes! I have heard of natural gas conversions here in the US, but petrol/diesel is so cheap right now, nobody is motivated to save $ on fuel. Last week I filled up the 300D for 2.08 / gallon. Here, we can get cheap gas but everything else is getting more expensive.
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Tito - 10-19-2015
Oh, lol... I somehow thought you where from England... That's why I converted to pounds. My bad.
Fuel in US is a lot cheaper indeed. But it basically depends on the average income per person in a country. Here it's about $ 1500,- a month. I thought Norway or Zweden have a average of +$ 5000,- a month. So yeah... it's hard to compare gas prices.
People in the US are complaining about gas prices too right? It looks cheap for us, but it's basically what you're used to pay
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - kestreltom - 10-19-2015
(10-19-2015, 11:51 AM)Tito ....
People in the US are complaining about gas prices too right? It looks cheap for us, but it's basically what you're used to pay
People in the US seem to be aware that fuel prices may go up again... not complaining. My friend's wife just bought a Prius, and he wants to get a VW Jetta tdi.
RE: Air Lift Chapman universal struts? - Bigpanda16 - 01-16-2016
I'd be somewhat leery that without reinforcement, they could rip the upper shock mount out. Maybe my fears are unfounded since the spring perch would still be taking most of the load...