I am trying to decide which way to go with the rear suspension of my '59 Apache.
I want to keep the leafs but I am wondering if anyone has used air shocks. I am looking at the Monroe Max-Air shocks. The description indicates that they are more meant for leveling a load for towing or heavy loads, but why wouldn't they work for raising or lowering the rear a few inches?
Heres the whole deal:
I need to find that sweet spot where the tires look right in the fender.
The shackles have already been flipped and I can take some leafs out.
I would like to avoid flipping the axle if it means I would have to C notch the frame.
I am not interested in running a compressor and a full bag system and I do not want super low.
I have been told I could just run the main leaf and use air bags and conventional shocks to support the rear.
I was thinking of the Monroe Max-Air shocks because they seem to be a bag and a shock in one. Sort of a one shock deal.
air shocks were and have been used forever to lift the ass end of cars and trucks - in fact some vehicles came factory equipped.
They were never intended to carry most of the load by virtue of someone altering the springs so don't do that.
if there is one thing I can warn you of - do not tie the two shocks together on one air line as when you corner the load will force air into the opposing shock and result in a vehicle that tries to flip over on itself - been there - not funny
If you remove springs and have an air leak your vehicle may be immobile.
As you increase height for clearance your ride will have more bounce, the more you need height the worse the ride.
And yes separate air lines for each shock is a must as "seeker1056" states
It all depends on the intended use. Just around the corner to cruise night vs "let's go to Florida"
__________________
Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
I just installed new 'cargo' coils rear springs & a set of air shocks on the 52 Torpedo back & on reading this I guess you need 2 'fill' valves & don't know if you can buy that part separately ???? I followed the instructions & have them tied into 1 valve BUT never had a problem with the 64 Catalina & had air shocks on it too!!!! I was 'bottoming out on dips in road on the trip to West Virginia but had a lot of weight in car!!! rear coils were pretty "beat" & new ones are a lot thicker in the coil dia. Gas shocks were only 2 yrs. old & of course, Warr. for a yr. & they were 'bitched" TOO!!! Guessing they were made in CHINA as they came from NAPA????
__________________
I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
I think most air shocks , at least the ones I've seen have the bag -ie bit in the middle
they will lift the rear when inflated but will also harsh up your ride by being harder to compress
maybe the solution is actually adding leaves to the spring so it becomes stiffer
I just finished lowering my 01 f150 last week (2 & 4 inches) it's now hitting the rear bounce stop rubbers on medium bumps but the f150 sites all say the shock mounts in my truck are not strong enough to take air shocks so you might wanna check how strong your's look to be first
I do have an air ride load helper kit I'm going to try installing (air bags) and a sawzall to trim the rubber bounce stops some but my truck has some really lame looking back springs so haveing a new set of springs built up might really be the correct solution
my lowering kit consisted of the longer fliped shackles , the raised eye front spring hangers and the shorter shocks
-- Edited by DJD on Friday 13th of November 2015 10:35:23 AM
-- Edited by DJD on Friday 13th of November 2015 10:38:12 AM
I do not want a stiff ride in the rear and I don't want to weaken the main leaf by taking too many leafs out. I just want to be able to adjust the ride height up or down an inch or two to fine the sweet spot in the fender.
I think I need to just set everything up and see if flipping the axle is an option. I am at a stage where shock mounts can be changed or strengthened so I am not worried there.
If I do use any air system I will be sure to use separate lines.
Got any pictures? if it rides good, add spacers (assuming the axle is under the springs)
__________________
Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
I just installed new 'cargo' coils rear springs & a set of air shocks on the 52 Torpedo back & on reading this I guess you need 2 'fill' valves & don't know if you can buy that part separately ???? I followed the instructions & have them tied into 1 valve BUT never had a problem with the 64 Catalina & had air shocks on it too!!!! I was 'bottoming out on dips in road on the trip to West Virginia but had a lot of weight in car!!! rear coils were pretty "beat" & new ones are a lot thicker in the coil dia. Gas shocks were only 2 yrs. old & of course, Warr. for a yr. & they were 'bitched" TOO!!! Guessing they were made in CHINA as they came from NAPA????
pete maybe consider air bags inside the coils aka, load levelers. they are much stronger and take the extra umph where it is supposed to be taken between the axle and the frame. not between the axle and body metal like air shocks do. i use them on the chevelle when i put the slicks on the odd time and i am more than pleased with the way they work. 2 cents, rick
Thanks rick, my chassis on the 51 Poncho has the upper shock mounts on the frame "not' thru the body metal [86 Cutlass chassis] & I will keep the PSI down to around 20 lb when not hauling suitcase, tools, extra parts, & "moocho cases of beer" on long haul!!!!! Will have to wait till spring now to see if this solves the bottoming out problem???
__________________
I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
