Pro/Cons for Air Shocks

[donkey boy]

Air Shocks vs. Warrior Shakles & Rancho 9000

I looked at some Monroe air shocks and I really liked them. They would raise the back for having the car on level and would provide the stiffer ride I would like on road. I drive a lot of long distances all by myself, or loaded with family and gear, so I could adapt the ride for both occasions.

What's the reason (almost?) nobody on this board uses them. I don't think they would restrict flexing, would they? What would be the advantage/disadvantage of warrior shakles and Ranchos 9000 compared to the air shocks?

Thanks for your imput.

 

[Martinez]

You know, I thought about the same thing. I was wondering if air schocks, when deflated or partially inflated, would affect the ride at all. Do they act as regular schocks when deflated and how trustworthy are they on off-road use. Sorry I only have more questions than answers, but I was wondering the same thing. Can I put a couple up front? Why shouldn't I?
Thanks

 

[Maniak]

They don't stop flexing if you have them set to the weight of your rig. I use a set on a 1984 e-150 (van). The rear springs are close to dead (rear sits too low). I normally keep 80psi in the rear shocks.. and up it to 110 when I have the truck loaded. There is a air line running between the two shocks so when one tire goes up it pushes the other one down.

Many people don't like them becuase you are putting the weight of the vehicle on the shock mounts instead of the spring mounts.

Here are two pictures showing the flex you can get from them.

I have about 40k miles on those shocks and have not had any problems with them.

 

[Nick Schmitt]

A friend of mine put air shocks on his 96 sport and everytime we went offroading he wound up tearing the shock. The weight of the wheel hanging down when the truck was articulated caused the ripping. He went through three pairs before he decided to go with the Warrior shackles.

 

[donkey boy]

Thanks Maniac, you were/are about the only person on the board using them and I know you love'em! Thanks anyhow.

Martinez, my dad uses Monroe Air Shocks on a '76 Suburban 2wd. He has them for about 15 years now and about 50'000 miles and he really likes them. They still work like on the first day. He never takes the Suburban off-road though.

The two people I know who are using them really are satisfied, therefore I'm wondering why not more people use them.

 

[Martinez]

So they would not affect the ride unless they are preassured?
Can they be fitted up front?
I know they don't make them for the front, but they can be fitted using a home made metal fitting.
I was wondering because I would like to lift the truck only whening, which is no very often. Or would I do better with shakles and spring spacers?

 

[bluescat]

AirLift Air Springs

I just installed two Airlift springs (Ride Control Series #59514 fits Explorers) yesterday on my '01 Sport because I tow a trailer. The new multi-stage spring pack on the 2001's gives a better ride than previous years but the other side of the coin is that the rear sags noticeably when towing even a light load (100#). I got them for $172 on sale from PerformanceProducts.com. It not only keeps the rear level with the front when towing, it prevents bad camber alignment by keeping the same weight on the front wheels as when they were aligned, reduces trailer sway, improves headlight aim and is infinitely adjustable for ride comfort or stiffer handling.
When installed, you must keep at least 10psi in the springs to keep the sleeves partially inflated and off of the lower mount. Wild articulation when offroading will stretch the air spring and may cause it to fail. They can be removed when 4 wheeling by removing 6 bolts and two plastic pal nuts. They're easy to install (2 hours tops) and there are two unused holes in the stock rear bumper where you can mount the air fittings in a direct line back from where the air spring mounts right behind the axle. Because they are progressive in their action they act like a extra shock. In their lowest pressure position they don't affect your normal ride position. But when you pump them up they really will pump the rear up. I don't think they are a substitute for a good aftermarket shock like the Edelbrocks, Bilsteins or Ranchos but, if you tow they can really help. Sorry for the long post.

 

[01EB5.0]

Air springs

We added goodyear air springs on our 94 E150 van and there is 1 major problem we have noticed. The minimum air pressure is 20 PSI, which lifts the rear somewhat. When unloaded the van rides bad, simply put. The van used to ride pretty smooth, but now any rail road tracks make a huge noise and the back end gets launched. It makes for an uncomfortable ride for rear passangers. WHen we fill the air springs to 100 PSI the back is jacked up so much it looks rediculous. They ride great with a heavy trailer, but if it is just people then it rides bad. I would not add aftermarket air springs to any of my vehicles after the use of these goodyears. The next vehicle to replace the 94 van will most likely be a ford SUV with air shocks from factory. The ones from the factory make the ride better because htye are specially controlled and made for the certain vehicle. This is just my opinion.

 

[bluescat]

Load Leveler from Ford

95 XLT - Ford's Load Leveler package fits many of the Explorers besides the EB or Ltd edition. When I asked my dealer about it as an option on my new '01 Sport they said it was not available. But when I walked back to the parts department the man showed me the exploded parts drawing and it said very plainly at the bottom of the drawing "2001 Ford Explorer Sport and Sportrac". You would think that Ford would want the business. Instead they recommended I go to a junkyard since I would have to buy each individual piece separately from Ford! In reponse to the 20psi minimum, I would try a visual inflation that only lifts the bag off of its lower mount and no more, stopping before it starts to lift the vehicle.

 

[01EB5.0]

Did you get te rea load leveling system on yours? if so is it the rear only system or the 4 wheel? i know in 95 they offered the 4 wheel for the limited and maybe eddie bauer. Too bad I don't have that system, and I think it would be very hard to wire all up if i found a system in a junk yard, so I think I'll live with the regular springs until i get my next explorer (which won't be for a while yet). In the mean time anyone ordering a new explorer I would opt for the load leveling system, not only for hauling stuff, but for making the ride more comfortable.

 

[97 Explorer EB]

How do I know if my 97 Explorer V8 AWD Eddie Bauer has Auto Ride Control?