1957 rear suspension help

[Trucknut57]

I have been searching this site and many others for help with an issue I have.

I use my truck for everything, shows, work, towing, hauling, etc... I am running a stock axle with a power rack and pinion up front and a 72' Camaro rear axle with TCI rear leaf kit. (axle over leaf).

Problem is, the rear leaf kit rides great without a load or trailer but is a little soft for towing or hauling. I would like to keep the setup I currently have but help it out with adding either an air bag set or air shocks for when I need to haul or tow.

Since I don't know much about either air bags or air shocks, I need some help.

Which one should I go with? Please give me some pro's and con's if you have any.

Thanks.

[dsraven]

I had the same problm with an astro van for the family vehicle. it would bottom out if loaded and towing the boat but if I put bigger springs in it would leave an imprint of your head on the roof above the seat (ok, maybe a bit embellished). I went with an air helper bag system and only enough air in the system to keep the bag inflated abit for daily use, then if I was towing or hauling something in the "bed" I could easily put more air in. maybe you could do the same thing with your truck. the bags go over the axle and there is a bracket on the frame to accept the other end of the bag. it could depend on your wheel back spacing though. another option could be shockwave air shocks but I don't know much about them. you may want to beef up the crossmember for those.

[Trucknut57]

dsraven - what kind of bag system did you use?
I have heard that air shocks can be a pain cause you have to let the air out and the brackets take a hell of a beating, sometimes breaking and causing other problems.

[dsraven]

I used a firestone ride rite helper system. it came as a kit with all the brackets etc. I would suggest to use a bump stop as well. the system I had deleted the original bump stop because the bags went where the bump stop used to go. the brackets just bolted onto the diff with u bolts and the frame bracket was straight forward as well. check with a spring or frame shop I am sure they could fix you up with some sort of kit. also check amazon etc and you could maybe get something easily modified for your application. once you see a kit up close you will see it is easily enough fabbed up if you have some skills. the bags are available seperately but maybe cheaper to buy a kit and modify from there.

[dsraven]

I am of the same mindset about the shocks. it is a lot of extra stress on the diff shock mounts and the old crossmember that wasn't really made to hold that stress. maybe need to beef it up if you went that way.

[OrrieG]

I ran air shocks so I could keep it level with the slide in camper on or hauling loads to the dump. Never had an issue with the stock shock brackets, crossmember or bracket I welded on the axle housing. Ran it that way as 2wd from 76 to 85 and 4wd 85-2000.

[Trucknut57]

Since the Air Shocks replace the regular shocks, doesn't that mess up the ride quality if you don't have a load on?

[OrrieG]

When you are them to min pressure they act like a regular shock.

[1project2many]

You do have to adjust the shocks when the load changes. The only time I have had, or seen, a real problem with air shocks is when they are used as a "lift kit" to jack a vehicle up. In that case most of the load is carried on the shocks. I've used them on my first TF, on a '95 Blazer, and on several customer vehicles and have nod had a problem with mounts breaking.

[Trucknut57]

Which air shocks should I be looking at?

[1project2many]

Munroe is about all that's available in this area anymore. I used to use Gabriel shocks when I could get them. But honestly, I'd start by seeing what's available for the truck then trying to determine the quality of said shock. These days it seems like everything's a gamble to some extent.

[1-ton of fun]

People are talking about two different Things here. Air shocks and helper air bags. The former is a shock and mounts using the shock mounts, the later has its own bracketry and acts as an additional spring when needed (filled with air)
Posted via Mobile Device

[Trucknut57]

Is there anyone running the helper bags that can take a picture so I can see how the mount up? I think I have looked at almost every website for these bags but not one of them shows them actually mounted up.

Air shocks are pretty straight forward on the mounting, won't need any pictures of those.

[Trucknut57]

1-ton of fun, Plus they both have different ways of providing the correct lift and support I'm looking for.
Some air shocks are upwards of $800.00 and some air bags setup ups are close to the same price once you buy a compressor and gauges and lines and etc....

But no matter how much I look at the prices, I still need to help the rear suspension during hauling and pulling.

[Foot Stomper]

Follow this link and click the 6 pictures for a real good example of how they'd install and work.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/59501/

I had a set on my Yukon to help level the ride when towing and they worked perfectly. They weren't this brand but did the same job exactly.

[Trucknut57]

Foot Stomper - That's the same type of pictures that all the manufactures have, I would really like to see some pictures of an actual set installed.

This way I can see things like tire clearance, interference issues, hose routing, etc....

[Trucknut57]

As you can see, the rear tire sits into the wheel well. Clearances are kind of important for me.

[Foot Stomper]

Great looking truck! Air bags are going to help by keeping the ass end as high as you need it. Expect to be able to lift it as much as 2.5" to 3" regardless of load. That's the beauty of them as you can adjust them to compensate for load. Even empty, you'll have the same ride height and ride comfort if that's what you want...or add a little air to lift it slightly... You decide...not the air bags.

One thing is for certain... Air bags won't cause you to lose clearance. Guaranteed! As long as you keep existing rear suspension and use the air bags to "assist" with heavy loads.

I ran mine without compressor. You'll soon figure out what 5, 20, 30 or 50lbs of air pressure does for your various load requirements.