1963-1972 Chevrolet C10/Suburban Air Ride Suspension Kit | Classic Plus

The Classic Plus: This kit is designed to improve your C10/Suburban with greater stability, dynamic driving performance, and a distinctive stance. It allows for effortless manual suspension adjustments, featuring our dual-needle air gauge and paddle valve panel for precise air pressure monitoring in the bags. Tailored for DIY enthusiasts, this kit eliminates the need for complicated components such as self-leveling sensors, computers, wiring, and calibration. We refer to our user-friendly Classic Plus gauge panel as “driver’s seat calibration,” allowing you to adjust your air ride suspension using simple gauge readings. With a touch of your finger, you can easily adjust the pressure using the switches, similar to monitoring your speed with a speedometer and controlling acceleration with the gas pedal. The Classic Plus gauge panel functions similarly; just adjust the paddle valve lever to change your vehicle’s stance while monitoring the gauge needles to reach your desired pressure and ride height. Enjoy effortless adjustability at your fingertips!

With the Classic Plus gauge panel, the paddle switches control the airflow from the tank into the airbags through the switches and release air from the bags back through the exhaust port built into the switches. If you prefer not to reach over to a permanently mounted gauge panel or hear the hissing sound of air as it exhausts back through the paddle switches, our Elite kits will eliminate the airline plumbing from the bags into the cabin, as well as the need for numerous connections required behind the gauge panel, streamlining your setup for an even more efficient installation.

Our gauge panel is a four-corner control system, often referred to as FBSS (Front, Back, Side, Side). While many believe they do not need FBSS and consider it to be a flashy enhancement for side-to-side “shows” at the stoplight, our gauge panel offers much more than just the showing-off factor. Many early C10 models were manufactured without sway bars because they were mostly used for agricultural purposes or light hauling, where the need for enhanced handling and ride quality through sway bars was not necessary. This design limitation, along with the stacking effect—a concentrated accumulation of weight on the driver’s side, including the in-cab fuel tank, steering assembly, battery location, and the weight of the driver—contributes to the well-known phenomenon of the Chevy lean. This creates a significant weight imbalance that a basic front/rear system simply cannot fix. Our four-corner control system significantly improves stability at each corner of your classic Chevy C10, effectively reducing body roll during cornering and enhancing overall handling and ride quality. Whether you’re accelerating up a freeway on-ramp, hauling an uneven load in the bed, or just laying it out at the next car show, the adjustability provided by our four-corner control gauge panel will ensure the ideal ride and stance tailored to your unique preferences—all while effectively combating the dreaded Chevy lean in your classic C10 pickup.

WHATS INCLUDED:

EZ AIRRIDE AIRBAGS:  Specifically designed for all 1963–1987 Chevy C10’s and Suburban’s. Our 2600# series bags outperform the competition by offering significantly more stroke than the industry standard. With a collapsed height of just 2.8 inches and an extension of 12.5 inches, you get nearly 10 inches of usable stroke. This increased travel allows for lower operating pressures, resulting in a smoother, more dynamic ride quality without sacrificing lift. Whether you’re dropping in a heavy cast-iron 454 Big Block, tucking 20-inch rims, or hauling a Harley in the bed while towing a boat—our bags are built to handle it all. Each 2600# series airbag boasts a massive max load rating of 3,055 pounds at 100 PSI. These springs provide the strength needed to increase your load capacity, prevent your pipes from scraping the driveway, or simply let you lay it on the the lawn at the show. Experience the difference and enhance your C10’s ride quality by ditching those half-century-old factory coil springs.

FRONT AIRBAG BRACKETS: Get your socket set and drill ready—these are the most user-friendly brackets on the market. We’ve designed our 1963–1987 C10 front brackets for maximum durability, featuring a powder-coated finish for superior corrosion resistance. Because the C10 platform mounts the shocks outside of the coil springs, there is no need for shock relocation. You can keep your stock shocks exactly where they are. Our brackets are also fully compatible with most major brands of aftermarket tubular lower control arms. Installation is simple: drill four holes to fasten the upper plate to the crossmember, seat the lower bracket into the factory control arm pocket, and you’re done.

THE REAR BRACKETS: If you thought the front was simple, the rear installation is even easier. We designed these brackets to be a true “no-guesswork” solution by utilizing the geometry GM already provided. The lower airbag plate rests directly over the existing hole on the lower trailing arm where your factory coil spring once sat. Using our supplied all-thread, you simply come up from the bottom of the trailing arm to securely fasten both the lower plate and the airbag in one go. Note: These brackets are designed for all 1960-1972 C10’s with factory trailing arm (coil spring) rear ends.

Up top, the upper bracket is designed to utilize the original factory hole where the coil spring once met the frame. There’s no guessing or measuring – just line it up with the existing center hole and bolt it in. Just like the bottom, you will use our supplied all-thread to attach the bracket and bag directly to the frame. By utilizing these factory frame holes, you eliminate the need for measuring, drilling or fabrication. Just like our front kit, the rear shocks stay exactly where they are—no relocation required. It is a direct, bolt-in swap that turns a weekend project into an afternoon job. If you can turn a wrench, you can bag your C10 with these brackets.

LETS TALK SHOCKS: Why simplicity is better. Not including shocks in our C10 kits isn’t an oversight: it’s by design. Our air springs are engineered to work in harmony with standard factory gas shocks. While other companies push expensive, stiff “performance” shocks as essential, the reality is that the quality and long stroke of our airbags handle the vehicle’s weight. The shock has one job: to act as a dampener to smooth things out when you’re zipping over railroad tracks or hitting an unexpected pothole.

If a shock is too stiff or ‘heavy-duty,’ it actually interferes with the air spring’s ability to absorb impact, robbing you of that cloud-like ride quality and limiting your total lift. If your current shocks look like relics from Montgomery Ward, are leaking oil, or were installed back in high school auto shop (we’re looking at you, 70s-era Hijackers), it’s time for an upgrade. But don’t break the bank. Avoid high-dollar “performance” drop shocks—they are far too restrictive for a superior, long-stroke air spring like our EZ Air Ride bag. They act like a limit strap, fighting your airbags and stealing your lift. For the best ride quality and maximum height, a basic, affordable stock-style gas shock from your local auto parts store is actually the superior choice.

THE AIR TANK: Keeping it Tucked & Tidy. Many C10 builders choose to relocate the fuel tank from its original position behind the seat to underneath the bed to prioritize safety and efficiency. While this is a great upgrade for the truck, managing your under-bed real estate while incorporating an air ride system—specifically a larger air tank—can be a major challenge. Our Standard EZ Air Tank is a powerhouse with a 6-gallon capacity, measuring approximately 35” in length. Because the outside width of a C10 frame is also approximately 35”, mounting this tank directly in front of the rear bumper—the preferred location for most C10 builders—requires a specific strategy. This usually involves spanning a metal bracket from frame rail to frame rail, requiring custom fabrication to essentially sandwich the air tank between your makeshift brackets and the underside of the bed floor to secure it.

Additionally, if that’s where you choose to mount it, the underbelly of the tank will likely be visible below the rear bumper, potentially forcing you to trim the lower portion of the frame rails to raise the tank closer to the underside of the bed. If you’ve already filled the rear of the frame with a fuel cell, your mounting options for a tank this size become even more limited.

The Professional Solution: Our Mini-Split 3-Gallon Tanks.
We don’t want you forced to mount your air system in the bed or back behind the seat, so we offer the ideal C10 solution: Dual 3-Gallon Mini-Split Tanks. These compact units are a versatile solution for tight clearances because they are only approximately 20” in length and 7.25” around—roughly the size of your forearm with your finger extended. They fit where the big tank won’t: inside the frame rails, outside the frame rails (either in front of or behind the wheels), or high in front of the rear bumper. You can even strap them together like twin scuba tanks to utilize that cavernous chamber area located behind the cab and under the bed. Mounting these is as straightforward as putting up a shelf in your garage. Think of your frame rail like a wall; you simply create two 90-degree brackets out of scrap metal, bolt them to your desired location on the frame, and rest the tank’s legs directly onto your makeshift shelves. This creates a low-profile, tucked-away mounting solution that keeps your air system protected and completely out of sight.

UPGRADE SPECIAL: Please call or email if you would like to upgrade your kit to the Mini-Split Tanks. The price for the upgrade is $169.95. This includes all necessary fittings to adapt the tanks to each other, as well as the extra drain fitting and additional air line required for the dual-tank configuration.”

Air Compressor: Introducing Our premium  454ss compressor, Boasting a maximum working pressure of 200psi, and recognized for it’s efficiency in low amperage usage. Crafted for durability and exceptional airflow performance, this work horse is the ideal choice for any onboard air ride system. Every 454ss pump includes a special set of anti-vibration pads to reduce noise and vibrations, ensuring a SUPER SILENT operation every time. Each compressor is accompanied by a sleek anodized black stainless steel braided leader hose featuring a built-in check valve for effortless connection to the air tank.

Our 454ss Compressor is oil-less and equipped with a 12v permanent magnetic motor for efficient and reliable operation.  It has a Built-in thermal overload protector incorporated to safeguard the compressor from overheating even in the most challenging operating conditions. With it being oil-less you  can mount it in any direction or position. The only position we do not recommend is an upside-down mount, since heat tends to travel upward, and does not dissipate well in the motor housing.

Included with all 454ss compressors: our EZ AIRRIDE™ comprehensive wire care package containing all necessary items for installation of your compressor keeping it happy for years to come. This includes a premium 8g wire roll to conveniently link the compressor in your trunk, or under the bed to the battery way up front, a 40 amp fuse with a protective fuse holder, a 30/40 amp relay with a color-coded plug-in relay harness for simple setup, and a new nickel-plated top post battery terminal that will accept the 8 gauge wire. With these components provided, you can trust your air ride system to perform reliably and efficiently.

• Key Features of the Compressor:
• Chrome body
•  12V permanent magnetic motor
•  Maximum pressure: 200 psi
•  CFM: 1.76
•  Maximum amp draw: 20
•  Duty cycle: 100% @ 100 psi, 50% @ 200 psi
• Fill rate (5 gallons): 0-200 psi = 5 minutes 30 seconds; 165-200 psi = 1 minute 35 seconds
•  Anti-vibration pads
•  1/4″ leader hose with built-in check valve
• Remote air filter

The Gauge Panel: Our Classic Plus gauge panel serves as the primary control center for your air ride system.  This is where you’ll adjust each bag, equipped with four paddle valve switches and two glass gauges containing dual needles to cover both front & rear air bags. The panel is designed for smooth and simple control – there’s no need for fancy finger maneuvers to control the paddle valves, so you don’t need to be a finger acrobat. Each paddle valve is strategically positioned at both ends of the sleek gauge panel for ease of adjustment. You can effortlessly use your finger or thumb to raise the front or back of the vehicle uniformly. The panel’s four-corner control allows for fine-tuning each corner, or just the front, back, or side to side. This comprehensive control over your suspension lets you modify it to your exact liking with a mere touch of a finger.

• Gauge Panel Features:
• Aluminum Panel with 4 paddle valves
• Dual needle glass air pressure gauge: 0-200 psi
• Brushed aluminum dial with bright white L.E.D. bulbs & power harness
• All metal casing with black & orange needles

The Air Fittings: Our genuine and easy-to-use air ride brass fittings are certified by the Department of Transportation, ensuring their durability and strength. Compared to plastic and metal fittings, our brass DOT fittings are more durable and stronger, capable of withstanding higher pressure levels without cracking or stressing. Their high resistance to corrosion makes them perfect for long-term use in air ride suspension systems exposed to moisture and other elements. These certified brass fittings are designed and tested to meet specific performance standards, guaranteeing reliability and consistency in their operation. With a reduced likelihood of failure or leaks, they provide a secure connection for your air ride suspension system.

Brass Fittings Included with the Classic Plus Kit:

• (4) 1/4″ x 3/8″ NPT Air bag fittings: (2) straights for the front (2) 90’s for the rear
• (2) 1/4″ x 3/8″ NPT Gauge fittings: Mounts to air tank for air supply to gauge
• (1) 1/4″ Spare Air Quick Connect w/adapter: Mounts to air tank
• (1) 1/4″ female Air Coupler w/ Tire Schrader Valve: For Roadside Air
• (1) 165 on / 200 off  1/4″ Sealed Pressure Switch w/lead wires: Mounts to tank
• (1) 1/4″ Butterfly Petcock: Mounts to underside of air tank
• All Brass 1/4″ PTC Classic Plus Gauge Panel Fittings: Connects air hoses to gauge 

 

 

Please see thumbnails for all the extras included in this kit…