Got a case of the sagging rear end on an '70 elco, and can see the old air lines from a previous pair of air shocks. As this vehicle will occassionally be loaded with construction materials or an engine block, the flexibillity of air shocks is applealing. I will be installing new springs, but haven't had new springs increase ride height during other coil spring replacements.

I've read here that the shocks aren't supposed to carry the load though, and that damage to the shock mounts under the bed can result. Don't know if they would contribute to wheel hop at the track, whick is also important to avoid. I know they need to be plumbed separately for cornering purposes.

Anyone used air shocks with a good experience? Seems to solve some problems, but I don't want to create new ones. I could also do the aluminum spring spacer under the coil spring, as on another vehicle.

el Caminos weren't designed to carry big loads although some have. When we bought our el Camino, it had air shocks that held air, and one of the lower mount holes was broken out and I had to weld in new metal. This was a common problem when people used big air pressure to handle big loads. For that you need a truck. The air bags available today, are the only way to go if you are going to load the el Camino down. I run just enough air pressure to keep the rearend at a decent ride height and the air shocks work fine for that. Our 350 doesn't make enough power to cause any drivetrain grief. If you have some power and raise the rearend with the air shocks, wheel hop can result. That's more a geometry problem than an air shock problem.

I would try airbags in the coils long before a set of air shocks.

airshocks work 99% of the time- they only cause problems when you put more weight in the bed than the shock mounts can hold.
weren't air shocks a factory option for a while in the 60's/70's?
one thing to do would be to plumb separate air lines for each shock- when at the track, you can let the air out of the left and leave some air in the right side to help pre-load that wheel and hook the car up evenly.

Air Shocks: 68-72 El Caminos had air shocks, It was not an option on Caminos it was STANDARD EQUIP. Air Shocks were an option on Chevelles.
Bob:thumbsup:

Same issue here with my 70 Elky. A six pack of my favorite beverage causes the rear to sag. I have to add air to the existing shocks if I go over 100#. New springs, air bags to go in as soon as the adj shocks arrive. Also going to an aftermarket upper and boxed lower control arms. This is my remodel stuff hauler that visits the track too

Air Shocks: 68-72 El Caminos had air shocks, It was not an option on Caminos it was STANDARD EQUIP. Air Shocks were an option on Chevelles.
Bob:thumbsup:

Roger That! :D

airshocks work 99% of the time- they only cause problems when you put more weight in the bed than the shock mounts can hold.
weren't air shocks a factory option for a while in the 60's/70's?
one thing to do would be to plumb separate air lines for each shock- when at the track, you can let the air out of the left and leave some air in the right side to help pre-load that wheel and hook the car up evenly.

Another good reason for separate air lines is air transfer that can and will result in body roll and handling problems especially if you were to get a little out of shape at the track! Experience talking!!!:eek:

I have air shocks in my '72 Chevelle, have since I got it. I have always run air shocks on their own separate line. I know I should probably get new springs and put in air bags ... maybe some day. I only run 60lbs in them at all times which is perfect for what I do which includes daily driving as well as pulling a trailer or pop-up camper to the race track. I also race it 6 to 8 weekends a season and have No-Hop bars in there which took care of the wheel-hop problem that I was having. I also have boxed lower control arms and rear sway bar.

i had a set on my 65 and ended up taking them off because I didn't use them. they caused REALLY bad wheel hop when they where pumped up to like 8 psi. now I have a set of gas-a-justs and they work great. Of course on second thought my car sat like a muscle machine which may have caused it too