Were air shocks ever a factory option on the 70 chevelle ss or other years ? I have a set on mine right now that were already on the car when i bought.They are not gm just aftermarkets.I have weld wheels on the car and the back tires are 275-60r-15.I like being able to adjust the height but the ride is terrible you hit a bump and the back end jumps up and over almost.I was just curious how many of you out still had air shocks.Not many I'am sure .I dont have the back end jacked up dont like that look its just about level front and back.

BRIAN,
I believe the option code was G-66. But I don't know if this is the same system that was available on the Monte Carlo which was an automatic self leveling air shock. It included a vacuum operated air pump under the hood.
I have air shocks on some of my cars including the 70 conv. I installed them specifically for towing a jet boat or a car trailer.

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Tom Parsons

Brain, my 67 had the factory airshock option. I thought it was B/S from prior owner and he had put the holes in the trunk, but alas, the assembly manual does show this option and the feed holes are exactly where they are pictured. So, at least in 67 it was an option. I do not believe the manual indicated any pump under the hood, just your usual air valve for 1967.

Brian,

Our cars were not designed to be supported via the shocks. Strongly suggest you replace the rear springs to get the increased lift you want, or use air bags inside the springs. The stress you are putting on the shock mount and the rear axle housing with air shocks will cause you problems sooner or later.

I ran air shocks on my SS for several years back in the 70's & 80's. A problem that I had to fix this past summer was, I belive, related to running the air shocks. My left axle tube broke loose from the "pumpkin housing" and turned about 1/4 inch. If you look at the twisting stress air shocks put on the axle tube you'll see what I talking about. This twisting stress is even worse when you get the backend jump you mentioned.

my $.02

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Bill Taylor
TC Gold Member #73
December 1999 Feature Car
www.chevelles.com/feature/december99.htm (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/december99.html)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/BillTSS70-2 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/BillTSS70-2)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/leaves2 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/leaves2)

I agree with Bill, use airbags. I have seen a lot of cracked shock mounts from over inflated air shocks!

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CFR.

Thanks guys looks like i will be changing over to a different type of shock soon.Getting ready to swap rear ends for a 331 posi so that would be a good time to do it.Bill is your car color autumn gold.Mine is autumn gold with the white stripes and dark green interior all factory color.Your car looks nice.I Like those odd colors.Check out my 2 chevelles at ohiochevelle.com web site.

Brian, My car is Champagne Gold. It is lighter than Autumn Gold.

Air shocks! Back in the day, everyone had them so they could jack the rear end up so high you could almost walk under the car. We thought it looked cool then. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

I still have air shocks on my '71. Rides great and gives it a little rear end boost, which is why I put them on there in the 1st place. They have minimal pressure just to get the car to ride level. Back in the 70s/80s people used to jack up their cars just to fit the wide tires and make the car look "cool". I have not experienced any problems with the shock mounts throughout the ten-year period I've had the car. Of course the car is not beat to death anyway. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif