Air ride for Classic 36' diesel pushers

[Gou0001]

I am trying to improve the ride on my 95 classic diesel pusher. When looking through old listings of airstream motorhomes I came across this one motorhome that was sold in Boston April, 2009. The listing said this motorhome was equipped with a Granning Airglide air suspension system. I called both Granning and Spartan but they were not able to advise which components to use.
Does anybody have any information on this motorhome or the Granning air ride suspensions which can be used on Spartan chassis's.

I have attached the original for sale article.

1995 Airstream Motorhome, Classic 36 Diesel Pusher, Spartan EC-2000 Chassis, Cummins B5.9L 230 HP Turbo Diesel w/Allison MD-3060 6-speed transmission, 76k miles; Granning Airglide air suspension system; 13" & 9" TVs; back-up camera; spotlight; hidden safe; HWH leveling jacks-computer controlled; Zip Dee awnings; Alcoa wheels; 6.5kw LPG conversion generator, 31k & 16k BTU furnaces w/elec. ignition; (2) 13.5k BTU Air Cond. w/Heat & Elec. Controls; 6 Gal. Water Heater w/Motoraid & Elec. Ignition; 105lb LPG tank; 60 gal. fresh water tank, 39 gal. grey & 39 gal. black holding tanks, 80 gal. fuel tank; needs work on cruise control, house batteries, carpet cleaning/replacement.

Photos updated on 8/10/08

[Kota]

I've looked into it quite extensively and plan on converting the rear leafs to air ride. The Spartan EC2000 came with it as an option. The Spartan factory is not willing to give out information and will only tell you that it isn't possible. Think its liability fears.

I have a bunch of info at home but I'm on the road for the next 5 days.

[Kota]

http://reycogranning.com/suspensions/model-610ar-2/


http://reycogranning.com/suspensions/model-510ar/

[Gou0001]

Thanks for the link. Have you investigated the cost and difficulty of installing these two systems?

[Kota]

I got sidetracked from the project before I got the everything verified. Hope to get back on it after the camping season. I'm going to do the rear first and see how it works out. A trucker friend said most of the improvement is in the rear and they prefer the feel and stability of the springs up front.

I don't see a lot of difficulty on the rear. Especially if the front hangars can be used. It already has a track link.

[Kota]

I just found a 94 360 classic diesel pusher on Reyco "air glide" front and rear. I test drove it and it's a definitely a a better ride. I'll post some pictures when I get it home next week. It looks an easy install that bolts up to the existing spring mounts.

[Gou0001]

Thats good news that it is a better ride, now its just a matter of determining if the costs is worth the luxury. The motorhome you test drove is it still for sale?

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Gou0001

Thats good news that it is a better ride, now its just a matter of determining if the costs is worth the luxury. The motorhome you test drove is it still for sale?

I drove it and bought it. Driving it home Friday. Report after the 100 mile drive home. Couldn't pass it up for $18k. Now I have to decide if I'm going to swap the suspension components with the one I've been refurbishing or sell it and start over on the "new" one.

[SebasSF]

Has anyone ever added an air suspension kit to the rear leaf springs? I see a company called Timbren make a kit with rubber springs, but no idea how well they would work. Buy them for the mounting kit, and add air bags instead?


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[Kota]

Here's the pictures.







I'll post more as I start crawling around under it. I've driven it about 150 miles around Colorado Springs and home to Boulder up I-25. The ride is superior and I believe will be less fatiguing. Handling is about the same. Maybe a smidgen less roll as the air bags have active leveling in all 4 corners. I'll post more pictures of the control arms and linkages as I get them. They appear to bolt into the same mounts as the springs. It does have a large rear mounted air tank in addition to the front tank.

[Gou0001]

The installation looks very interesting, do you think think this was original equipment or added on? Bad news on our 95 diesel pusher, it caught fire while we were touring through mexico and is a write off. Appears it started in the steering column. So I guess I will be starting a fresh renovation on a 94 pusher I have back at our farm.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Gou0001

The installation looks very interesting, do you think think this was original equipment or added on? Bad news on our 95 diesel pusher, it caught fire while we were touring through mexico and is a write off. Appears it started in the steering column. So I guess I will be starting a fresh renovation on a 94 pusher I have back at our farm.

It was definitely factory installed. The Spartan manual that came with it is for the air ride version. I'm not sure if it was the Mountain Master version or an air ride version of the intermediate EC 2000. I'll get you some more pictures next week.

I assume the fire was caused by an electrical short.

[Gou0001]

Yes it was caused by a electrical short.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Gou0001

Yes it was caused by a electrical short.

Any salvageable parts? I'm trying to find a door and the front and rear banana wrap (plastic body panels) for the 94 I just bought.

[SebasSF]

I would love to talk to you about parts as well...sent a pm.


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[Gou0001]

The exterior is pretty much untouched other than windows and the door where the fire department broke in to fight the fire. I am trying to buy it back from the insurance to hep me rebuild my 94 classic diesel pusher. Will let you know if I m successful. On a side note the body on this unit is beautiful as it was pretty much reskinned and clear coated 2 years ago.

[Kota]

Looks like the spring mounts are different from the air ride mounts. I still think it's doable but it would be a project.

[Gou0001]

i wonder how many of the classics came out with the air ride?

[Kota]

I wasn't aware that any did until you referenced that old ad. I started paying more attention and that one in Fountain popped up. I went down primarily to check out the installation and ended up buying it. Since then a friend of mine whose camping on the Florida pan handle saw a 94 with air ride in Carrabelle. There must be a few.

As I mentioned, the fwd spring mounts are different. I was hoping the AR would conveniently bolt into the same mounts. It wouldn't be an impossible job especially if one found a salvage EC2000 with AR. The leveling valves would be a lot of busy work.

May plan was to buy the new components and install them without the leveling valves. Manually inflate the bags. Drive it to HWH in Iowa to gave their active air system installed. They won't sell it without their factory installation. I was going to try to negotiate how much of the hardware they might let me mount to save some money. It will also require another air tank installed near the rear axle. The 94 has two large tanks. One up front and one rear. Larger than the single divided tank on the 95.

The active air system from HWH also has a leveling system. Removing the hydraulic leveling system might be an option. It would clean up a bunch hoses, and hardware. Probably knock a few hundred lbs off the coach.

[SebasSF]

Do you guys think there is space between the frame and leaf springs to add a standard Firestone style air bag and manually inflate it for a better ride?


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