: raising the rear? air shocks maybe?
mykes68 Mar 27th, 03, 7:14 AM how could i raise up the rear of my car alittle bit. maybe an inch or two.? I have replaced the old coils with new ones and also replaced the old shocks with KYB's..Could i maybe get some air shocks.Originally it had the kind you fill up at the gas station i changed them cause one was messed up but when i did this the ride height is lower now.Also if air shocks will work who sells good ones????
derekf Mar 27th, 03, 9:21 AM Better to put airbags in the rear springs; from what I've read here, air shocks move the weight of the car from the spring perches that are designed to hold the car up to the shock mounts which are not really made to handle the weight of the car.
Not sure if this is valid this really is though, since both my 65 and my 69 both came with factory air shocks.
I got rid of the air shocks on my elky and am planning to get airbags to replace them. I didn't see any damage to the shock mounts, but it was just a quick visual inspection.
Maliboob Mar 27th, 03, 9:48 AM I'd go with airbags they are pretty cheap. Just dont keep them fully loaded all the time. Also you could get cadillac springs, or wagon springs, and/or coil spring spacers.
seawolf06 Mar 27th, 03, 3:08 PM I did the same exact thing except i have not yet replaced the stock springs, so obviously this won't help. I posted this same question and was told not to use wagon springs because they cause more problems, specifically with the U-Joints. :( But then i was told that air bags were just more trouble than they were worth, and that they were too expensive. what size tires are you using? i have 275/65/15's and my problem is that they're rubbing and the car sits too low anytime i have mroe than two people in the car. :mad: have you any advice for an 18 year old new chevelle owner? let me know how yours turns out.
Don
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cjlandry Mar 27th, 03, 3:29 PM I'd go with the Moog cargo springs. Do a search and see what you come up with. If that doesn't get it up enough, install a spacer on the spring perch.
You might end up with wheel hop issues once you get it up too high. Might need to get adjustable uppers to cure that.
mykes68 Mar 28th, 03, 4:11 AM CJ: you are saying they have spring spacers huh. That sounds simple enough to me. Im not trying to get the exagerated look where the rear is up high as hell and the front is down low. just lift it and inch or so. One day i will do the airbag deal but as of now i dont have the money i have some other mods i want to do such as the rear trailing arms.
SEAWOLF06: you say you havent replaced the stock springs yet?if they are old or the originals they are most likely shot. Mine were!. The springs is what determines your ride height not the shocks the shocks just give your car the rebound after bumps. But some shocks are alot spongy than others. I dont know my tire sizes off hand my car is in storage right now. but i havent had any tire rubbing. My car does sit alittle lower when its pack but its not unreasonable or anything. I would replace your springs they are olny about 80-90 bucks...
mc71454 Mar 28th, 03, 7:28 AM The air bags are $70 and is the way to go for sure.
A 69 Cutlass, 6 Monte Carlos and 3 Chevelles later, believe me when I tell you I have had every possible combination or scenario under the rear of an "A" body the car since my first '70 Chevelle in 1981.
The airbags are long lasting, adjustable, forgiving in ride quality, easy to install, inexpensive and will help traction when preloding the the right rear. Air shocks had their place in time but compared to air bags they are prehistoric.
Just a question, what is wrong with your trailing arms?
cjlandry Mar 28th, 03, 11:06 AM I've seen spring spacers that the spring sits on. Pickup trucks use them a lot. I've also seen 'em sold to use as levelers when one spring holds the car higher than the other. Just a band-aid remedy though if you ask me.
Sounds like mc71454 knows his business here!
I'd follow his advice since he seems to be the most experienced with this.
As far as shocks giving your car the rebound after bumps, that's what the springs do. The shocks dampen the spring so it doesn't compress and extend fully over every bump. They also stop it from continually bouncing the car up and down after the bump. (I know you didn't ask, but I figured I'd throw that in anyway.)
scotto Mar 28th, 03, 12:35 PM I have bags from air lift in my 67 and 69. I have been very happy with them. I installed their "drag bags", which are the same as the standard bags except they are black instead of red and come with heat shields.
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