Anybody running air shocks in the rear?

[CoronetGuy]

Getting ready to swap in a ford ranger rear end into my 52 dodge coronet. I got the shocks off and was thinking of replacing them with a pair of air shocks. The car is lowered 3 inches in the back. Thought it would be nice to have the ability to air it up a little when I haul more gear on longer road trips.

 

I've never put air shocks on anything in the past. Any recommendations? Brand? Things to look out for? 

 

Thanks

[Dave72dt]

The important thing to remember about most shocks is they were not intended to carry the load, only control the load as the springs cycled. Air shocks carry part of the load and as such you must pay special attention to the shock mounts. Are they strong enough to do that. Of particular notice, the upper mounts may or may not be, depending on their design. Stud mounted uppers that go through and mount to sheet metal may not be strong enough as is. They can work the metal back and forth enough to tear a hole through the trunk pan. That type will need some assistance in spreading the load across a wider area.

[DJ194950]

Getting ready to swap in a ford ranger rear end into my 52 dodge coronet. I got the shocks off and was thinking of replacing them with a pair of air shocks. The car is lowered 3 inches in the back. Thought it would be nice to have the ability to air it up a little when I haul more gear on longer road trips.

 

I've never put air shocks on anything in the past. Any recommendations? Brand? Things to look out for? 

 

Thanks

 

 

I used Monroe air shocks on the rear of my 50 Ply. 4 dr.. I liked the sitting height but was still too bouncy in the rear with the old springs even after new gas shocks were installed. Rides better with just enough air to support the rear but low enough (50psi.) to make it ride great even at speed over RR tracks.

 

Since your car is lowered at the 3" drop stock dimensions may not work right so I have attached a pdf from another car site that has the Monroe spec.book. For you- see pages 1 and 2 for attachment type and pages 31 and 32 for the air shock specs. avail.\

 

http://www.oldmopar.com/oldmopar/MountingLengthMonroe.pdf

 

 

 

Find something with the right specs. and search on Amazon and Ebay for that part # with Monroe first.

 

Got mine from Amazon about 2 years ago for 35-40 bucks-delivered.

 

Good luck,

 

DJ

[Don Coatney]

Use caution with air shocks. They can over tension the spring pin with severe results.

 

 

[CoronetGuy]

Thanks for all the info, I will take that into account

[Captain Neon]

I've got Monroe air shocks in my '46 more door.  I installed them in 2009, and have had no problems.  I air them up every spring to my preferred ride height and drive.

[Frank Elder]

The last I've used them.....mostly looked like this...lol.

 

[Don Coatney]

Frank, You from Ohio?

[Frank Elder]

Internet picture..... my 74 was turd brown....lol.