Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bucky_21_7 · 03-06-2009, 08:37 PM

Hello. Like all other leaf sprung truck owners, i also have a wheel hop problem. Now i was wondering if i put a set of air shocks and put alot of psi in them will it eliminate the wheel hop. Has anyone else used air shocks? Any info would be great. Thanks

Andy4639 · 03-06-2009, 10:26 PM

I haven't ever tried it but I doubt it will help much if any at all. The shocks aren't made to help that. You will need track bars.

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2009, 12:32 AM

traction bars would do the trick, air shocks would just break the shock mounts eventually.

**special-K** · 03-07-2009, 09:36 AM

Look at 4wd sources.I had traction bars that mount over the leaf from the u-bolts to the front hanger on a Blazer,called Bushwackers.I don`t see them but maybe someone makes them that way.They`d be easy to make,just eye-bushings at both ends and plate mounts with a lenth of tube or rod in between.They worked great on the blazer with big old 37" Super Swampers and a locker.

desertrat · 03-07-2009, 11:54 AM

Wheel hop is caused from the axle housing trying to twist from the torque. So with this in mind you could see that the shocks will not prevent wheel hop. You can mount some extra shocks sideways (parallel with the frame rails), this will not stop axle wrap but will dampen it a little bit. I would go with a taction bar or ladder bar just as the others have stated.

ChevLoRay · 03-07-2009, 06:18 PM

I would say no to air shocks, but AirLift company made a lot of money off of their air bags that were used on a lot of drag cars from back in the late '50's and on. The bags were either installed within the coils springs or placed between the leaf spring and the chassis. Basically, they were overload springs, but the racers learned that a tire that didn't grip the pavement could be made to do so by adding air to that side. Engine torque would cause the chassi to twist and that twisting motion made the tire grip the pavement.

I know you can make air shocks inflate unequally, but the AirLift airsprings were designed (at the time) to be inflated individually. A friend of mine bought a '60 Apache 1/2 that had them, and he was not afraid to load anything in the bed.

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2009, 06:22 PM

that won't help with wheel hop. They did/do that to pre-load the suspention.

ChevLoRay · 03-07-2009, 10:35 PM

I guess I was thinking that pre-loading the suspension was what they did to prevent the wheel-hop. It's what I get for thinking, huh?

My '67 Firebird Sprint had one traction bar that Pontiac added to help with leaf spring wrap-up. Yet, I could wrap it up very easily. That little 6-cylinder would amaze you, with its ability to embarass a 289 Mustang.

**N2TRUX** · 03-07-2009, 10:50 PM

Since it's a leaf spring truck, consider a traction device like Cal Tracs. Forum Vendor Capt Koas sells them.

**special-K** · 03-08-2009, 08:27 AM

Hopefully not a lowered truck.With an axle-flip those things would be spark throwers.Is that a mock up spring or part of the device?That picture has me confused.I think it`s a great idea.I`m just not sure what I`m looking at.Does that front mount bolt over the spring hanger or take it`s place?

They should make that for over top of the leaf,like the ones I had.It`s better for both 4wds and 2wds for clearance.

03-06-2009, 08:37 PM	#1
bucky_21_7 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 59	Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? Hello. Like all other leaf sprung truck owners, i also have a wheel hop problem. Now i was wondering if i put a set of air shocks and put alot of psi in them will it eliminate the wheel hop. Has anyone else used air shocks? Any info would be great. Thanks

03-06-2009, 10:26 PM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? I haven't ever tried it but I doubt it will help much if any at all. The shocks aren't made to help that. You will need track bars. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-07-2009, 12:32 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? traction bars would do the trick, air shocks would just break the shock mounts eventually.

03-07-2009, 09:36 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? Look at 4wd sources.I had traction bars that mount over the leaf from the u-bolts to the front hanger on a Blazer,called Bushwackers.I don`t see them but maybe someone makes them that way.They`d be easy to make,just eye-bushings at both ends and plate mounts with a lenth of tube or rod in between.They worked great on the blazer with big old 37" Super Swampers and a locker. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-07-2009, 11:54 AM	#5
desertrat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 1,079	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? Wheel hop is caused from the axle housing trying to twist from the torque. So with this in mind you could see that the shocks will not prevent wheel hop. You can mount some extra shocks sideways (parallel with the frame rails), this will not stop axle wrap but will dampen it a little bit. I would go with a taction bar or ladder bar just as the others have stated. __________________ "Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth." — Chuck Norris

03-07-2009, 06:18 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? I would say no to air shocks, but AirLift company made a lot of money off of their air bags that were used on a lot of drag cars from back in the late '50's and on. The bags were either installed within the coils springs or placed between the leaf spring and the chassis. Basically, they were overload springs, but the racers learned that a tire that didn't grip the pavement could be made to do so by adding air to that side. Engine torque would cause the chassi to twist and that twisting motion made the tire grip the pavement. I know you can make air shocks inflate unequally, but the AirLift airsprings were designed (at the time) to be inflated individually. A friend of mine bought a '60 Apache 1/2 that had them, and he was not afraid to load anything in the bed. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-07-2009, 06:22 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? that won't help with wheel hop. They did/do that to pre-load the suspention. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 03-07-2009 at 06:22 PM.

03-07-2009, 10:35 PM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? I guess I was thinking that pre-loading the suspension was what they did to prevent the wheel-hop. It's what I get for thinking, huh? My '67 Firebird Sprint had one traction bar that Pontiac added to help with leaf spring wrap-up. Yet, I could wrap it up very easily. That little 6-cylinder would amaze you, with its ability to embarass a 289 Mustang. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-07-2009, 10:50 PM	#9
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? Since it's a leaf spring truck, consider a traction device like Cal Tracs. Forum Vendor Capt Koas sells them. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-08-2009, 08:27 AM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Will Air shocks solve wheel hop proplems? Hopefully not a lowered truck.With an axle-flip those things would be spark throwers.Is that a mock up spring or part of the device?That picture has me confused.I think it`s a great idea.I`m just not sure what I`m looking at.Does that front mount bolt over the spring hanger or take it`s place? They should make that for over top of the leaf,like the ones I had.It`s better for both 4wds and 2wds for clearance. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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