Air shocks suck

65-440 · Jan 7, 2020

Robert Schaad said:
No, I am a very smart MOPAR old guy. I put one set on and it lasted 1 week and leaked down. Got a replacement set and it lasted only one or two weeks and leaked again. Gave air shocks one last chance, but this time tested them in a bucket and watched the bubbles before I installed them on the car. You comment kind of makes me think you think I'm dumb is that what you meant to say?

No ! Absolutely not ! Honestly was just messin with ya ..... I personally am not a fan of air shocks, if I buy a car And they're on there they go right in the garbage. I'll get my ride height from the leaf springs, and paired with the right shock you'll have the look and ride quality.

Cranky · Jan 7, 2020

bolson6333 said:
when I worked at a tire store in Denver early 70;s we sold a ton of them under Gabriel brand that I assumed made them. I guess that would be the old days.

1970 is now 50 years ago.....so yeah, the old days but to me, it seems like it was only a few years ago!

oldbee said:
With separate air lines you could,sometimes, get an open diff to almost “posi” sometimes! 90# in right, 15-20 in left.

Did exactly that with my first car but didn't need 90 lbs in the right shock. Also kept a box of nails on the right side of the trunk too. Should have just moved the battery to that spot but was using the car at my construction job and needed all the trunk space I could get but on the weekends, all of it except that one box of nails came out.

khryslerkid said:
It was probably the air lines leaking. They use plastic fittings now and they don't like to be over tightened. The air valves like to leak also.

I have a set on the '62 just to stiffen up the ride some. I'm only running 50# in them. They are hard on the upper frame mounts if you're trying to compensate for weak saggy leaf springs. Your coil overs will be hard on the upper frame also.

I remember seeing plastic fittings on them in the mid 70's even. The load that my car had to carry back then needed some help but on the weekends, it came out. I didn't want the butt to be overly high when all my tools etc were out of the car so didn't want more spring or re-arch the originals. Thing is, never needed 50 lbs to level the car up some. How much higher than stock did the 50# you were using make it? Generally, there wasn't more than 200 lbs of gear in the back of my car during the work week but from time to time there was close to 300 and 25-30 psi brought the car up to make it level and still ride firm.

khryslerkid · Jan 7, 2020

Cranky said:
How much higher than stock did the 50# you were using make it?

About an inch with a half full tank of gas. Sits about level with a full tank. I don't think it's placing too much pressure on the upper frame, that's what I'm trying to avoid. You can still bounce the back of the car with a little rebound.

The '64 I use to have I'd have quite a bit more in the shocks to give it that cool rake. I had 50 series tires with no rubbing, Dana 60, 456

Never seen any damage to the upper shock frame. Never knew there was a problem with the frames until resent years reading and seeing pictures on here as to what can happen.

I had several 1/2 ton pick-up trucks back when that I had installed air shocks on to help when hauling something heavy.

71gtx471 · Jan 15, 2020

My dormant since 79 GTX still has Hi Jackers & Lakewoods on it,don't forget your lower shock extenders.

Durandal25 · Jan 15, 2020

Cranky said:
Man, it's been many years since using air shocks but I used them for many more years! And yup, like moparmarks said, gotta use a separate line kit which they didn't come with. You had to buy that 'separately' lol. Also, if you were looking for more than 1" in height, then something different should be done if you wanted that to be a permanent deal. However, I did all kinds of crazy crap with them on many cars and never had an issue with busting out the upper shock mount. Used a pair on a 67 /6 Dart to use the car as a truck hauling heavy stuff like a complete 383 loaded into the spare tire well! Was almost able to close the trunk lid too LOL. With that 383 back there and 90 PSI in the shocks, the car rode level and even rode decently for the 40 miles to the drop off site. The guy I took it to was somewhat in awe to say the least. That car saw a load of brick in the trunk too. Another one was on a 67 Coronet with 383 and 4 speed. Lowered the front as far down as it would go and aired up the rear as far as it would go just to see how bad it would act....and it acted pretty badly! How many cars have you had airborne!!

....Cranky's still banned....heh

khryslerkid · Jan 15, 2020

Durandal25 said:
....Cranky's still banned....heh

Never was. He's here. Did you miss him?

oldbee · Jan 15, 2020

How'd he do that?!!!!!!

Kern Dog · Jan 15, 2020

Robert Schaad said:
After putting three different sets of air shocks on my 72 Satellite with all three leaking and going around corners, the car tilts bad. I put coil over shocks. Great lift, no tilt, rides great.

View attachment 891405

Uhhh.....OR re-arch the leaf springs and lose the traction bars.
Come on, man....Mopar guys don't need traction bars.

Ernie ingling · Jan 16, 2020

Air shocks shackles and traction bars it’s 1969 again. Jacked up back so far had to wear seatbelt to keep your face out of the dash

Charger72 · Jan 16, 2020

Ahhh the good 'ol days, reminds me when I had air shocks back in '86, took them out and added an extra leaf on both sides.

toolmanmike · Jan 16, 2020

A HiJackers fan here. Wonder if they are still on the car? Probably not! LOL

Air shocks suck

Don selleck

FBBO Gold Member

65-440

Well-Known Member

Cranky

Banned Henchman #27

khryslerkid

FBBO Gold Member

71gtx471

Well-Known Member

Durandal25

Well-Known Member

khryslerkid

FBBO Gold Member

oldbee

Well-Known Member

Kern Dog

Life is full of turns. Build your car to handle.

Ernie ingling

Well-Known Member

Charger72

FBBO Gold Member

toolmanmike

Henchman #2

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