Second generation air shock external line diameter

[Blandy]

What size line goes into 1995 factory Ford rear air shocks? Is there a kit available? I got two NOS left hand shocks for less than $50 and I'd like to install them, but I'm not sure what connects to them. Are they "quick connect" style fittings like so much else of this Ford product vintage?

 

[J_C]

Well if you have them already, look at, and measure their connectors?

Was this originally equipped with air shocks? A standard Ford kit would run to the compressor but if you're not doing the compressor and ride height sensors, just putting them on a Tee to a valve in the rear, any *generic* air shock kit with the right diameter hose to fit the shocks should work, as long as it has the fittings the shocks need or if it's just nipples, clamp the hoses on?

 

[Blandy]

Well if you have them already, look at, and measure their connectors?

Was this originally equipped with air shocks? A standard Ford kit would run to the compressor but if you're not doing the compressor and ride height sensors, just putting them on a Tee to a valve in the rear, any *generic* air shock kit with the right diameter hose to fit the shocks should work, as long as it has the fittings the shocks need or if it's just nipples, clamp the hoses on?

No, it wasn't originally equipped with air shocks. After I ordered an 1/8 inch kit from TEMU, I stupidly ordered a second one! Luckily, they both only came out to about 11 bucks. I found out they are 3/16" hoses, I'm sure I can find some of that around here to put in the shocks and connect the other line to them. The question was, primarily, are these "quick connect" shocks? They appear to be and the kits from TEMU are also quick connect fittings! The NOS shocks don't SEEM to have a release mechanism, maybe the part around the 3/16" hole pops out when line is inserted in it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[CDW6212R]

The OEM ARC lines push into the shocks and all of the OEM air line connectors. Removing the line is tricky, there is a tiny collar that I believe just has to be pushed towards the shock or connector, to release the line. The stock lines are about 1/8" in diameter, I haven't measured one and they look the same as typical late Ford vacuum plastic lines. I think they are a hair larger though, the 3/16" may be right.

 

[CDW6212R]

What size line goes into 1995 factory Ford rear air shocks? Is there a kit available? I got two NOS left hand shocks for less than $50 and I'd like to install them, but I'm not sure what connects to them. Are they "quick connect" style fittings like so much else of this Ford product vintage?

What are you calling two left hand shocks, one front and one rear? The fronts have been obsolete since about 2000, the rears you can still buy NOS on eBay sometimes.

 

[Blandy]

What are you calling two left hand shocks, one front and one rear? The fronts have been obsolete since about 2000, the rears you can still buy NOS on eBay sometimes.

They accidentally sent me 2 LH R. shocks, the only difference being where the fitting is. So they only charged me for one. What I'm trying to find out is if they are a "quick connect" style fitting.

 

[CDW6212R]

The OEM ARC lines push into the shocks and all of the OEM air line connectors. Removing the line is tricky, there is a tiny collar that I believe just has to be pushed towards the shock or connector, to release the line. ....

Again, the connectors are quick connect, as I described them well above.

The shocks are identical left to right, the air connection may vary slightly from one side to the other, but that would be trivial. The rears have been available NOS since the 2006 range, for around $50 each. I have two fronts that were broken in removal, and are rusted fully, those are long gone to buy ever again. Monroe was the manufacturer.

 

[Blandy]

Again, the connectors are quick connect, as I described them well above.

The shocks are identical left to right, the air connection may vary slightly from one side to the other, but that would be trivial. The rears have been available NOS since the 2006 range, for around $50 each. I have two fronts that were broken in removal, and are rusted fully, those are long gone to buy ever again. Monroe was the manufacturer.

Thank you. Yeah, with the ads, this site is a ***** to navigate on my phone. Yeah, getting TWO NOS OEM R. air shocks for about $45 was a deal. I'll check my vacuum and small tubing stash for the 3/16" the shocks need. I may be able to shove/glue the 1/8" line into them with much fuss. Right now I've got 255/70-18's on 7 1/2-in wide rims on the front and 275/65-18's on 8 1/2 in rims on the back. I had to put a quarter inch spacer on the right rear and relocate the left hand emergency brake cable on the left rear. I just found out that the tires are within an eighth of an inch of the upper ball joints, and hard left or right they will rub lightly on the sway bar but that's no problem.

 

[CDW6212R]

Try hard to find the proper size line to go into the shocks. Those will go in and out readily and can be cut shorter when they get very old and a narrow spot develops on the line. Any other line size will either leak or have to be permanently glued in. You basically gently push or pull out the orange ring on the connectors, to let the line come out.

I don't have any spare line at the moment, but it's the same as any prior Ford with an air spring suspension. Mark VII's were the first to come with those, then they got into the rear of a lot of 90's luxury model Fords.