[Essex_29]

There are levelling kits in a bunch of different flavours, but so far I haven't seen anyone use the mechanical levelling valves found in older (nineties?) buses and trucks.
I'm planning on using four of these, and am wondering if I got a good idea, or if I'm just kicking a dead horse.
The valves can look something like this:

Black plastic thingy to the left connects to the axle or A-arm and makes the round thing at the top of the valve swivel. This motion lets air into the bags or out, depending on how the valve turns: A-arm up-> more air goes into the bag and vice verca.
One might need to be a bit creative here with the additional valves, but I got four of these valves for about $90, and am wondering if this is already tried and tested.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

There are levelling kits in a bunch of different flavours, but so far I haven't seen anyone use the mechanical levelling valves found in older (nineties?) buses and trucks.
I'm planning on using four of these, and am wondering if I got a good idea, or if I'm just kicking a dead horse.
The valves can look something like this:
View attachment 358632
Black plastic thingy to the left connects to the axle or A-arm and makes the round thing at the top of the valve swivel. This motion lets air into the bags or out, depending on how the valve turns: A-arm up-> more air goes into the bag and vice verca.
One might need to be a bit creative here with the additional valves, but I got four of these valves for about $90, and am wondering if this is already tried and tested.

The TrailBlazer SS has them...possibly the Bravada.

 

[Estenban]

I'd like to see and hear about the Essex it looks like you have.

 

[Essex_29]

@Estenban Be my guest, here's the whole story:
Essex project home page

 

[Essex_29]

I found some pretty cheap solenoid valves, and figure I can connect the UP-buttons via the levelling valves to the bags. When the bags are filled like this, the car is sitting at ride height no matter how long you push the buttons. To avoid the valves letting out air from the bags going over bumps and such, a solenoid valve between the bag and the levelling valve can be closed. This way the compressor won't need to run to refill the bag.
This will be my first air suspension system, and I will probably try to use the levelling valves.
Feel free to chime in and tell me what I haven't thought of.

 

[Estenban]

@Estenban Be my guest, here's the whole story:
Essex project home page

Thanks! It looks like the Essex was sold, and your latest traditional hot rod project is the 30 Buick sedan. The original wheels are cool; are they wood wheels? I've been a longtime member of a traditional hot rod and customs forum.

 

[Beasyphone]

@Estenban Be my guest, here's the whole story:
Essex project home page

Very very cool , grew up with 32 Buicks myself though..

 

[dnyce]

Per the original topic, are u just trying to get some auto leveling into your air suspension? The valves u have look interesting but if it only goes to ride height no matter how long u hold the button, how would u lift it higher Or lay it out if u needed or wanted to? A secondary set of switches and wiring to turn the leveling on and off?

if it’s all manual, u still need to air it up with the switchbox, so what’s point of the extra stuff (aka extra points of failure/leaks) for the leveling if it’s not “auto leveling” ?
Not pissing in your cereal but I don’t see the point (Based on what u explained so far)unless it’s just to have something interesting, but I maybe I misunderstand how these particular leveling valves would work in a system made to lift, lay out on the fly, play with the switches, etc.