Looks like we finally get the upgrade to the Shockwaves. :thumbsup:

http://www.ridetech.com/shop/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1964-1972-gm-a-body-shockwave-rear-system.html

Me likey.

I'm interested,I keep thinking about air ride.What all is needed for a cheap setup?

I am concerned about the mounting position of the ShockWave on the frame. The stock spring pocket distributes the load across a large area, while the ShockWave upper mount concentrates the load of on a very small area where the original shock mounted. That area of the frame was never designed to carry the load. I see they have an extra plate that mounts over the shock, but I wonder how much that really helps.

Andrew

i dont thing there is such a thing as cheap air ride, my car will be bagged at some point for sure though

Hopefully someone from RideTech will chime in here soon.

They have coil-overs coming out soon that could be used instead of the Shockwaves.

We have a 3/16" reinforcement plate up top to help distribute that load over a larger area.

The new Black Series Shockwave are an option for this kit, would retail at $800.

The cheapest option would be the CoolRide kit, starts at $500.

What is the extended length of the 1964-1972 GM A-Body - ShockWave Rear System shock?

I'm concerned with the ability to put on my wheels, I just tried some bilstein shocks that would only extend 20" instead of the standard shock length of 22".

We have a 3/16" reinforcement plate up top to help distribute that load over a larger area.

The new Black Series Shockwave are an option for this kit, would retail at $800.

The cheapest option would be the CoolRide kit, starts at $500.

Why use a 3/16" plate and not a 1/8" or a 1/4"? Was there testing or analysis performed to determine that this thickness and plate size is sufficient to carry the weight of the rear of the car in addition to the stresses of "spirited" driving?

Andrew

I guess I have a semi-unrelated or related :confused: question...if running the system with shockwaves on just the rear end, can the E3 controller still be used or does it require the use of shockwaves on both ends? Trying to decide on if I can use the system like that for the time being or if I'll have to wait until all four corners are done.

Finally :) and perfect timing!
i've had the front bagged for about a year, and now that i have the spare money set aside, this comes out :D
i will have a set ordered some time this month :beers:

What is the extended length of the 1964-1972 GM A-Body - ShockWave Rear System shock?

I'm concerned with the ability to put on my wheels, I just tried some bilstein shocks that would only extend 20" instead of the standard shock length of 22".

i was wondering the same thing... found this:
http://www.ridetech.com/shop/images/product/7000.jpg

the website only has options for the first two in the pull-down menu, but i called wednesday and they said the third length is available. same goes for the skw8000

Any feedback on the above questions?

you can use the E3 in manual mode....you need to have all 4 in for presets (low and ride height) and you need to have the level sensors for the 3rd preset (aired up.)

Thanks. You guys think they might come back and answer the question about the reinforcement plate? I'm no structural engineer but it does make me curious.

What is the extended length of the 1964-1972 GM A-Body - ShockWave Rear System shock?

I'm concerned with the ability to put on my wheels, I just tried some bilstein shocks that would only extend 20" instead of the standard shock length of 22".

The Shockwaves that we use on are 11.5 compressed and 16.5" extended, but my lower mount relocates the bottom of the shockwaves inboard quite a bit, so you can't use that for reference. I'll dig up some fender/frame measurments fully extended.

Why use a 3/16" plate and not a 1/8" or a 1/4"? Was there testing or analysis performed to determine that this thickness and plate size is sufficient to carry the weight of the rear of the car in addition to the stresses of "spirited" driving?

Andrew

Original design was w/ 3/16". We use a lot of 3/16" on our brackets. Been testing it for a few months w/ no issues. 1/4" just seemed a little overkill since we are only using it to redistribute the load.

BTW guys... we also have a new Monotube shock coilover that we will be debuting shortly that will work on these same brackets. (Yes you read that right.... we will soon be offering a coil spirngs as well as air springs.)

I guess I have a semi-unrelated or related :confused: question...if running the system with shockwaves on just the rear end, can the E3 controller still be used or does it require the use of shockwaves on both ends? Trying to decide on if I can use the system like that for the time being or if I'll have to wait until all four corners are done.

The new E3 system will function if you just have air springs on one end of the car, but the presets will not function properly. It will be manual only until you get the other end done.

Sorry for the delayed response guys..... must have overlooked this thread.

i was wondering the same thing... found this:
http://www.ridetech.com/shop/images/product/7000.jpg

the website only has options for the first two in the pull-down menu, but i called wednesday and they said the third length is available. same goes for the skw8000

You are correct... can build virtually any length/mounting style ShockWave your could image. But keep in mind that using a SKW with a really long extende length could facilitate a taller ride height as well. We design everything to have about a 2" drop at ride height, so compressed will be about 3" below RH and fully inflated will be about 2" above RH.

FYI for anyone interested on these brackets. i got a set of these lowers and decided to run them with a coilover instead of the airbag (budget). gatta say so far no problems. before these brackets came out i ran them off the stock brackets but the problem was most shocks where to short abd ride height was really low. these i would say re mount the shock roughly 6" inbored, thus correcting the problem. the bracket itself looks like it was military spec with 3/16 but hey i wont have any problems. only mounting problems i had was that i run 15rims, so these did require a small amount of trimming to clear rims and weights. other than that i think this is the simplest thing to do a coilover/airshock convesion.

So forgive me if this is a silly question, but if I was planning on running a 10 or 11 inch wheel and needed to narrow the rear somewhat (on a 65), would this kit still work in it's stock form?

So forgive me if this is a silly question, but if I was planning on running a 10 or 11 inch wheel and needed to narrow the rear somewhat (on a 65), would this kit still work in it's stock form?

Well right now i am runn a 15x10 with a 6 backspacing. This more than most from what i can tell. A for the narrowed rear end, i am not sure. As long as the brackets are in the right location i wouldnt see any problems

Narrowing the rear will not exactly help with how much tire you put under the car. increasing the backspace on a stock width rear will do the same thing.

If the limitation is the lower shock mount on the axle tube (often is) , then you will have to move the shock mount brackets inboard. If you move the brackets inboard and your standing the shock more veritcal, you may need to use a shorter shock.

For what it is worth. On the brackets. While I am a Air Ride dealer and fan. I think I can still offer in a un bias opinion strictly based on experiance with these cars.

over the years we have chopped up and modified the rears of a lot of A Bodies. We have narrow rears, relocated lower shock brackets, narrow frames. We made our own coil over conversion on narrowed tubbed cars like The Billy Goat 65 GTO 5 years ago. And our bracktry is probably lighter then Air Rides. And that GTO has had the wheels driven off it, HARD! I have also installed a couple other companies A body coil over conversions and their brackets are no more substantial then Air Rides. And one of the most celbrated F body rear suspensions that is beat to death every week (not Air Ride) uses 1/8th for the upper shock mount! And it works fine.

I think the bracketry is fine and I PROMISE Air Ride will torture test this product like no other manfacturer at one of their autocrosses across the nation every week! I know Bret has had it on his 66 Chevelle for a while now. And that car kicks ass.

I've got a newbie question and a ride height/width for wheel configuration question.

Newbie question: So the Shockwave for the rear is simply a combined shock and spring?

Ride height/width, as far as wheels are concerned, does this relocation present a problem for wheels, if plans are to use a 19x10 rim. (I am still in the groundup/build-up stage, so do not currently have any offset known at this point)

Anyone else using a larger rim with the Shockwave for 68-72 A body?

I've got a newbie question and a ride height/width for wheel configuration question.

Newbie question: So the Shockwave for the rear is simply a combined shock and spring?

Ride height/width, as far as wheels are concerned, does this relocation present a problem for wheels, if plans are to use a 19x10 rim. (I am still in the groundup/build-up stage, so do not currently have any offset known at this point)

Anyone else using a larger rim with the Shockwave for 68-72 A body?


i could only speak from my own experience but i have a small problem with 15 rims with a 6" BS which is more than most. This same setup with a 19rim would have no problem and not trimming required.

is there pics or video of a 65 chevelle with a air ride setup? i am used to truck airbags and they can get 10" of lift or more. so the 3" is wierd to me. but i am not a car guy so i need a visual helper. thanks guys. i love the whole airpod thing since i seen it on one of those spike shows a while back.

From ride height you will have about 3" of compression and 2-3" of extension. So, about 5-6" of travel overall. We typically design ride height to be about 2" lower than factory.

this is weird but i cannot find the rear shock wave kit for a 64 chevelle anywhere on air rides site?

also it's not included in their kits? only the cool ride system is included? that seems kind of weird...also is the rear cool ride system a bolt on install?

We have it availalbe. We just need to know if you have a original rear or a Moser, Currie, etc. I cannot talk about pricing, email me at Frank@ProdigyCustoms.com

this is weird but i cannot find the rear shock wave kit for a 64 chevelle anywhere on air rides site?

also it's not included in their kits? only the cool ride system is included? that seems kind of weird...also is the rear cool ride system a bolt on install?

The complete kits were assembled before the rear Shockwaves application existed. If you search by application, then scroll down to "Rear Suspension Compnonents" you will find it.

http://www.ridetech.com/store/musclecar/?subcats=Y&features_hash=V202