Pontiac Airlines
Going Up...Going Down
To graphically demonstrate the capability of the air suspension system, we powered it up using Vogt's bare frame for maximum visibility of the inner workings. With a 4-inch range of travel, the completed car's rocker panels can be as low as 7 inches from the pavement or as high as 111/2 inches, depending on Vogt's mood.
According to Air Ride, "There is really one 'best' highway ride height, and the farther you deviate from this, the more the handling and ride quality performance will deteriorate. The [recommended] height of the airspring should be the true indicator of correct ride height, not where the car may visually look the coolest or where you can achieve tire or header clearance. Also, air pressure is merely an indicator of correct ride height--meaning pay attention to the installed airspring height, not necessarily just the air pressure."
At full deflation, there are...
At full deflation, there are 5 inches between the frame and the lower control arms.
At full inflation, the distance...
At full inflation, the distance grows to 9 inches.
At full deflation, the rear...
At full deflation, the rear axle is 5 inches from the frame. There could be another 2.5 inches of downward travel with the body installed.
At full inflation, the axle...
At full inflation, the axle is 9 inches from the frame.
Low-Buck Frame Dolly We were...
Low-Buck Frame Dolly
We were so impressed by Mark's improvised frame dolly, we just had to share it here. Instead of some exotic, handbuilt contraption, it's nothing more than a vertical section of surplus industrial warehouse shelving, laid flat with welded-on caster wheels and sections of angle iron positioned to match the frame's body-mount bolt holes. It's just the trick to allow easy movement of an otherwise cumbersome object.