The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-27-2010, 10:04 PM   #1
Mondo
Registered User
 
Mondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
air shocks?

The springs on my lowered truck are really soft... makes for a nice ride when everything is empty.

Back in the day (yeah, I'm old), you could purchase air shocks and just pump them up via a regular shreader valve located in a conveniant spot... sort of like bags but without a compressor.

It would be a simple/cheaper solution then air bags but I can't find any. Do they still make them, and for our trucks?
Mondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 10:13 PM   #2
tqlspec
Registered User
 
tqlspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Jackson, TN
Posts: 99
Re: air shocks?

bought mine at Autozone. Gabriel Hijackers. Love 'em. I normally put about 50-60 psi for normal every day but they can take up to 200 psi. for heavy duty use. Hauled an old upright piano (heavy !!) with no problems.
tqlspec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 10:13 PM   #3
rollinhard
Registered User
 
rollinhard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 192
Re: air shocks?

monroe max air shocks, not sure if they have specific ones for our trucks but im sure a guy could makem work
http://www.monroe.com/products/maxai...ject+Object%5D
__________________
If you can't impress them with your inteligence, dazzle'm with your stupidity

1969 GMC lwb 2wheel drive can you say big stroker motor to come hehe
rollinhard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 11:56 PM   #4
Longhorn Man
its all about the +6 inches
 
Longhorn Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
Re: air shocks?

air shocks are very rough on the shock mounts on these rigs. Be warned that you may end up breaking one off when running them.
Another (more expensive) option is helper bags that fit in the coils. I think I have around 80 bucks wrapped up in mine and they are better than any air shock ever could hope to be.
Longhorn Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 08:17 AM   #5
mdwilf
Registered User
 
mdwilf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Posts: 83
Re: air shocks?

Not to highjack the thread, but I've been pondering the same thing - can you give us a little more info on the helper bags? Brand, where bought, how to install, how heavy duty they are, etc?

Thanks
__________________
What I do in my spare time:
http://rosebudsgarage.shutterfly.com
mdwilf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 03:07 PM   #6
tqlspec
Registered User
 
tqlspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Jackson, TN
Posts: 99
Re: air shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Longhorn Man View Post
air shocks are very rough on the shock mounts on these rigs. Be warned that you may end up breaking one off when running them.
I'm just curious what this is based on? Personal experience? I've used air shocks on several trucks in the last 30 years and haven't had this problem.
tqlspec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 03:45 PM   #7
Mondo
Registered User
 
Mondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
Re: air shocks?

I thought of helper bags but wasn't sure how they fit (couldn't find a lot of info)... they might be better as my truck is lowered quite a bit so I don't know how stock shocks would do (being so compressed all the time).
Mondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 06:23 PM   #8
Longhorn Man
its all about the +6 inches
 
Longhorn Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
Re: air shocks?

i've seen normal shocks rip the mounts off, and most of the trucks I've seen in the junk yards with air shocks have dammaged/missing upper mounts. if you look at how pathetic the upper mounts are, its amazing they haven't all ripped off over the years.
air lift is the company, get the bags for a/g model GM cars, you'll need additional spacers too.
Longhorn Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 06:38 PM   #9
Mondo
Registered User
 
Mondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
Re: air shocks?

I looked on their site... what do you mean "a/g model GM"? Can you give me a GM model to use? I don't know if the stock truck air bag would work with the 6in lower springs.

Last edited by Mondo; 07-29-2010 at 06:40 PM.
Mondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 07:07 PM   #10
69nova
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: virginia
Posts: 49
Re: air shocks?

I have a 72 suburban that came from the factory with air shocks (called superlift rear shocks) that I replaced with so called OEM type from advance auto. My burb is lowered and they will raise the rear about 1 1/2" for when I have a full load. I have a 72 swb pickup that I am going to add them to it for the same reason. They work great and if chevy put them on from factory, then you should be OK now. I have picts of SPID label for proof. As a side note, I separated the lines so that each side has its own valve to prevent body roll (air will shift from one side to the other when cornering if they are not separate).
69nova is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 08:03 PM   #11
Mondo
Registered User
 
Mondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
Re: air shocks?

I have a shock relocator kit on my truck, and from looking at it I don't think it's strong enough to handle 1000lbs.
I'll have to look at the helper bags inside the coils..... hopefully won't have to resort to replacing springs with bags.
Mondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 09:33 PM   #12
ERASER5
Registered User
 
ERASER5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,859
Re: air shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mondo View Post
I looked on their site... what do you mean "a/g model GM"? Can you give me a GM model to use? I don't know if the stock truck air bag would work with the 6in lower springs.
I believe he did. "A" body and "G" body. A Monty Carlo was an "A" body I believe.
__________________
'70 GMC C1500 LWB
Power disc brakes. WooHoo!
Posi 6 Lug Dana 60
ERASER5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 10:25 PM   #13
Davetopay
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 424
Re: air shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ERASER5 View Post
I believe he did. "A" body and "G" body. A Monty Carlo was an "A" body I believe.

A/G body means the post 78 redesign of the Cutlass, Regal, Malibu, Grand Prix, ElCamino, Caballero, and Monte platform. The front suspension also went under first gen S trucks.

Last edited by Davetopay; 07-29-2010 at 10:25 PM.
Davetopay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 08:59 AM   #14
mdwilf
Registered User
 
mdwilf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Posts: 83
Re: air shocks?

I think this is the kit on Summit's site.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...%2060733&dds=1

For only 80 bucks, be able to keep the comfort of the coil spring ride & handle at least as much as load as my 3/4 ton leafs on my beater & not to have to go to the work of swapping things around, I'd say this is quite a deal.

Once again, sorry for horning in on the thread.
__________________
What I do in my spare time:
http://rosebudsgarage.shutterfly.com
mdwilf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 12:10 PM   #15
LONGHAIR
just can't cover up my redneck
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
Re: air shocks?

Andy (Longhornman) is absolutely correct. Shock mounts are not designed to hold the weight of the vehicle. I have personally seen and repaired quite a few of them in both cars and trucks.
It is usually the upper stud on trucks. They are just a 90 degree (single shear) bolt through a hole in the frame. The stud breaks or the hole gets worn out (loose) and can even crack the frame.

With cars, a lot of the time the upper mount is just in the sheet metal of the uni-body. This results in cracking and shoving the shock right up thru the trunk floor.


If you look at the suspension structure of something that was designed for coil over shocks, you will see much better shock mounts. They are carrying the weight and need much more strength.
__________________
You can review the site's rules here.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Longhorn Man View Post
As for reading directions...
The directions are nothing but another man's opinion.
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make them all yourself...

Bad planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an instant emergency on my part....

The great thing about being a pessimist is that you are either pleasantly surprised or right.
LONGHAIR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 02:35 PM   #16
6D8_C10
Registered User
 
6D8_C10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Saint Peters, MO
Posts: 171
Re: air shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdwilf View Post
I think this is the kit on Summit's site.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...%2060733&dds=1

For only 80 bucks, be able to keep the comfort of the coil spring ride & handle at least as much as load as my 3/4 ton leafs on my beater & not to have to go to the work of swapping things around, I'd say this is quite a deal.

Once again, sorry for horning in on the thread.
Im horning in too.
Those bags say 1000lbs, I wonder how high they lift?

Im liking the idea of the helper bags. I really don't want to spend all the money on regular bags. Becaause I wouldn't use them that often.
But, on occasion I would like to lift them for going down dirt roads, steep driveways, or carrying a heavy load.
__________________
68 c10 350/th350 winter daily driver
90 Nissan 180sx, sr20det gt2871r turbo, track car,summer daily driver

"Just so we are reminded of those who are held back,
Up front there ought to be a Man in Black". Johnny Cash.
6D8_C10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 03:34 PM   #17
mrh33916
Project '67 454
 
mrh33916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Columbia SC
Posts: 283
Re: air shocks?

I have a version of those bags on the back of my dually with the optional controller system and it is awesome. I've had them inflated up to 90psi before hauling a load of river rock.

With the controller system you can raise or lower the bags while your going down the road.
__________________
67 C-10 SWB Fleetside 454 (current project)
99 Crewcab SWB Dually 454
75 Datsun 280ZZ430
94 Formula 232LS 454
mrh33916 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 02:44 AM   #18
Mondo
Registered User
 
Mondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
Re: air shocks?

Thanks Mdwilf, that's just what I need!

Looks like it fits a wide range of vehicles... all year El Caminos so it should work for my truck.






Now all I need a trailer hitch and I'll be set... hopefully moving the gas tank to the rear (blazer kit) won't result in the need for a custom hitch.

Last edited by Mondo; 07-31-2010 at 02:49 AM.
Mondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 10:31 AM   #19
Blazin77
Registered User
 
Blazin77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 56
Re: air shocks?

This works well with the bags above.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-25592/?rtype=10


Dusty
__________________
In the words of Huey Lewis.. "It's Hip to be Square".

1977 Blazer
............________
.........../_____ |__\__
..........|_(O)______(O)]
Blazin77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com