Just completing a "clean-up" on our SB 71 Elky. Along with a number of other mods, removed the original AC system, and incorporated an AC delete cover from OPG (good fit). This lightened the front end considerably, car now sits a bit high. This along with the leaky rear air shocks, gives the car a very funky stance. I'm assuming the original front springs (for an AC car) might be taller than a non AC car? Question is, does anyone have a suggestion on a front and rear spring/shock set-up with out breaking the bank? (all springs I believe are original) Would like the car to sit a little more level, maybe a little lower in the front. Thinking possibly air springs (bags) inside the rear springs along with gas shocks (remove air shocks) Front, cut springs? or new shorter springs with gas shocks? (don't really use the car to do any heavy hauling or towing–weekend cruiser)
Thanks for any suggestions,
Bill

yeah for sure get rid of those air shocks they suck really bad.

I would start all over with the 4 springs, and the 4 shocks. Call a reputable spring company, or just order the stock springs for a small block/no air, from Ground-Up. I would put quality gas shocks up front, and a quality Delco air shock in the back. There's nothing wrong with air shocks unless you have a hundred pounds of air in them. If you keep 15lbs in the shocks, you will be fine. This way the front will be at a stock height, and the rear can be varied, to make it level. I found an nos set of air shocks for my very factory correct 69 Elky, and I have a new set of quality air shocks, if you want to save a few bucks. The other option, is to put a quality gas shock in the rear too, but then you loose the option to "level it" if you do put a load in the bed sometime.

Bill- I've had my '71 Elco since '97, and when I "finished" it for the Power Tour in '03, I took off the air shocks and put KYB's on. It lowered the back end all right, a couple of inches. it looked cool, but the shocks were harsh, and when I hit a bump, the rear suspension bottomed out. I even rubbed off the washer welded to the drive shaft to balance it. I already had Hotchkis trailing arms and sway bar, so just last weekend I installed the Hotchkis springs and shocks. It made a marked improvement in the ride, and it even lowered the rear end another inch (23" from top of wheelwells to ground w/P245 16" tires).
I'm looking forward to getting the front end redone with Hotchkis a-arms and shocks, but it's only money!
I really like the Hotchkis rear set-up, and the shocks are Bilsteins valved specifically for the application.
Good luck!

Mark S.

P.S. I threw the KYB shocks in the trash...