Thread: Traditional Air Shocks vs Shockwaves/Air over Shocks

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I have given some thought to adding air shocks to the rear of my 34 plymouth since I tow a Mullins occasionally and feel the extra help would be good. Adjustment would be easier than crawling under to adjust the transverse spring (Vette) for different loads and uses. Not enough room under there for shockwaves or bags. Would like the shockwaves for the front, but space for a compressor and tank will be real tough to find in a trunkless sedan. My experience with air shocks is that under the proper load they give a good ride, but under a light load (over the axle) they can get stiff, harsh and choppy.

I actually added airshocks to the front of my Jeep pickup. When I swapped in the 5.0 Ford, there is very little room between the motor mounts and the axle radius rods up front, so I added airshocks from the rear of a Ford full size car (autozone). Made up some brackets and put them on, in addition to the stock shocks. I run about 80 PSI, just enough to give me some clearance so the mounts don't bottom out on speedbumps and driveways.

A little unorthodox, but it really worked well, and the rear already had heavy duty springs, so it now rides a little higher all the way around. They have been on there about 5 years, and have been no problem. But if the truck sits for a few months (like it is now) I have to add some air to replace what has seeped out.

Don

Pat, the answer to your question is that the ShockWaves and air shocks are two different items.....think about it.....

The ShockWaves are intended to replace your springs and shocks. Therefore, they must support the weight of the car on that corner. Regular shocks do not support the car (of course). The ShockWaves have load ratings similar to a spring....1000 lbs per unit or more is typical.

Air shocks do NOT replace springs, they agument the spring by supplying some smaller upward force. If you look at an air shock, the bladder is much smaller diameter than is a ShockWave because the force is much smaller.

Since you have springs, the AirRide is not necessary....gee, you just saved $800 bucks!!

Deflating the Air Rides essentially removes your "spring" and lowers the car to a bump stop. Deflating your air shocks only lets the weight exert on the spring and collapses the spring a tad more....you would have to add weight to hit the bump stop.

mike in tucson