air shocks?

[Mondo]

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?

[tqlspec]

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.

[rollinhard]

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

[Longhorn Man]

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.

[mdwilf]

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

[tqlspec]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

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.

[Mondo]

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).

[Longhorn Man]

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.

[Mondo]

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.

[69nova]

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).

[Mondo]

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.

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by Mondo

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.

[Davetopay]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

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.

[mdwilf]

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.

[LONGHAIR]

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.

[6D8_C10]

Originally Posted by mdwilf

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.

[mrh33916]

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.

[Mondo]

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.

[Blazin77]

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


Dusty