Air lift 1000?

[chpr1972]

My 66 Lemans conv is lowered to the aprox width of a 4x4 at the front lower frame. I have a slight rake. I need to keep the rear end from lowering any when I add riders or luggage/tools. I have had Monroe air shocks before on another 66 GTO. I need something that will take the weight of 3 heavy people in the back seat and a bunch of tools in trunk. I have Hotchkis 1"rear spring and the spring mount on axle is lowered. 25.5" tall tires. According to the Air Lift and she told me that they do not lift from the top or the bottom but the air bag actually goes between the spring coils. I would think that that would wear the bags out real quick.
My only other option is to raise the rear up more. Since there are big people in my immediate family and speed bumps and drive ways are so inclined any suggestions.

[camrat68]

I've had those bags in the backs of both of my 95 Caprices that I tow with for the past 10 years and only worn out the air lines or rusted the airline clamps off. They hold up just fine.

Jim

[justanova]

My dad has a set in a 70 caprice and they've been there for 10+ years, although it doesn't get driven much we have never had a problem with them.

[chpr1972]

But will they hold up a lot of weight. I had air shocks before that we to hold up 1000/ lbs and they did not work well. That is why I was thinking of air bags
\

[MCB Matt]

But will they hold up a lot of weight. I had air shocks before that we to hold up 1000/ lbs and they did not work well. That is why I was thinking of air bags
\

One option would be the ridetech Shockwaves.. They are a bolt-in application and depending on budget, needs, ect.. You could do a system with auto ride height sensors so you can set the height in one of 3 presets and the car will always level itself out to where YOU set it..

Let me know if you need more info, we are a ridetech Distributor.

Matt

[chpr1972]

I thought about it. My son has a 2003 S10 crew cab with air ride on it. He is always replacing air pumps, chasing leaks, and has actually broke the frame on both sides up front. No it is not a jumper.
I want to keep the springs. I can raise the rear with Oldmobile Vista Cruiser spring, but do not want that much of a dago.
I'm kinda short on cash as most people so I just want to hold the car up with a load as I rub an a lot of speed bumps as it is.

Dagoed... car dropped in front

[MCB Matt]

I thought about it. My son has a 2003 S10 crew cab with air ride on it. He is always replacing air pumps, chasing leaks, and has actually broke the frame on both sides up front. No it is not a jumper.
I want to keep the springs. I can raise the rear with Oldmobile Vista Cruiser spring, but do not want that much of a dago.
I'm kinda short on cash as most people so I just want to hold the car up with a load as I rub an a lot of speed bumps as it is.

Dagoed... car dropped in front

With a quality air system, fittings installed correctly, and hoses cut straight with a blade vs wire cutters, a system should not leak.

Hotchkis used to sell a red bladder bag that went inside the rear coils, I just checked their site and didn't see it. We sold a few of those back in the day, guys liked them for the most part.

Matt

[justanova]

But will they hold up a lot of weight. I had air shocks before that we to hold up 1000/ lbs and they did not work well. That is why I was thinking of air bags
\

According to airlift they are rated for 1000 lbs, I would consider that a lot of extra weight for a 66 lemans.

[MCB Matt]

The problem with Air Shocks is they just ride like crap! There is no substitute for a GOOD shock! I would use a bolt-in bag or a shockwave to get a reliable, quality ride.

Depending on your budget, you can have a passive system that will automatically keep the ride height where you set it or you can go active, with one of many compressor systems as cheap as $100!!

Here are the two rear units I would recommend if you want quality, no leaks, ect..

As you can see, brackets are included and this is a shockwave (Air spring and Shock in one)



CoolRide Bags that will directly replace your coils

[justanova]

Matt, the air lift bags he is reffering to go inside the existing coil spring they are not "air shocks" , it actually sounds just like the Hotchkiss bags you mentioned earlier. they actually ride pretty good when inflated to handle the extra weight.



https://www.airliftcompany.com/produ...air-lift-1000/

[MCB Matt]

Matt, the air lift bags he is reffering to go inside the existing coil spring they are not "air shocks" , it actually sounds just like the Hotchkiss bags you mentioned earlier. they actually ride pretty good when inflated to handle the extra weight.

https://www.airliftcompany.com/produ...air-lift-1000/

Ok, good. I see air shock and think about how punishing they can be! Either way, there is nothing like a good shock! The shocks are the "smart" part of the suspension, the springs are the "problem"

[justanova]

Ok, good. I see air shock and think about how punishing they can be! Either way, there is nothing like a good shock! The shocks are the "smart" part of the suspension, the springs are the "problem"

Agreed..... Air shocks suck and good shocks are definitely worth it. I think the ridetech stuff is definitely top notch. When Helping a friend race IMCA modifieds on dirt several years ago I definitely saw the direct difference between expensive shocks and cheap shocks..... theres a reason all the fast guys had expensive shocks...it was interesting to see the difference between the two ends of the spectrum on the shock dyno too. the cheap ones would get erratic after a few minutes and the good ones would just keep on doing what they were supposed to do.

[MCB Matt]

Yes, I'm sure thr bags are the same, you jamb then down the coil and they inflate to fill the void. They did the job, they didn't quite offer the ride quality of a linear rate air spring but again, with a good shock, a viable option.

Matt

[68Formula]

Just make sure you run the minimum recommended pressure (5lbs) when they're not aired up for heavy loads. And like tires, check them periodically to make sure you haven't drifted under the minimum.