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Author
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Topic: Rear Air Shocks
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rdw40
Journeyman Posts: 50
From: Hockessin, DE USA
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 02-10-2003 08:13 PM
 
Considering a pair of rear air shocks for a 68 FB that rides/sits a little too low in back. Will this alter the ride significantly or make it harsher? Any idea on a particular make?
Thank you.------------------
'68 Mustang Fastback
'98 Jeep Wrangler
'02 Jeep Grnd Cherokee
'02 Honda Accord
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-10-2003 08:16 PM
Because yo will take away some spring and shock action, the ride will be somewhat harder (harsher).
Depending on your own tastes it shouldn't be too much of a discomfort.
The Sears brand are easy to obtain and are made by Monroe. You also can't beat the lifetime warrantee.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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71RESTO
Gearhead Posts: 1655
From: Oregon, USA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 02-10-2003 11:32 PM
If inflated to any decent amount the ride will be a tad harsher, but will definately help a saggy rear end (LOL). I still have the pair we pulled off of my daughter's '66 a couple of years ago (Monroe I believe) and if you want them, their your's for the cost of shipping.------------------
Duane
71 Fastback (his) under resto (351C-4V C6 auto)
73 Mach 1 (hers) (351CJ 4 speed)
66 289/2V coupe (daughter Ashley's)
89 LX 2.3 convertible (daughter Amanda's)
M & M Member #730
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mustangboy
Gearhead Posts: 1343
From: Ont, Canada
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-11-2003 01:17 AM
The area where the shocks attach to the body wasn't designed to carry the wieght of the car.You can probably get the rear springs rearched for less money than the price of the air shocks.I got mine rearched and an extra leaf added for $120 bucks Canadian.
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-11-2003 03:43 AM
I agree, back in the mid-late 70`s I had a pair of Hurst air shocks on my 70 Mustang Sportsroof (to clear the L60-15 Road Huggers on aluminum slot mags, baby!  ) To keep the tires from rubbing required using quite a bit of air, as a result, eventually the upper shock mounting holes in the floor pan starting cracking, & eventually tore right out of the floor  . If the rear end is sagging, I strongly recommend having the leaf springs replaced, or re-arched.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed 10.20@130mph
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA Stocker under construction, 302 5 speed
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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rdw40
Journeyman Posts: 50
From: Hockessin, DE USA
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 02-11-2003 07:34 AM
I was getting ready to take Duane up on his offer when I started to read about upper shock mounts cracking due to the weight. The problem may be the leafs, but it really bugs me that the car is so much higher in the front, probably due to new springs there. With air shocks, are they individually adjustable or is there just one air line tied into a "Y" that you fill?
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senzstang
Gearhead Posts: 530
From: perry, oh, usa
Registered: May 2002
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posted 02-11-2003 08:57 AM
When I finished rebuilding my front end I wheeled my car out of the garage and it looked like it was doing a wheelie. I ended up replacing the rear leafs. I picked up the rearend a bunch. Leveled the car right out. I would try new leafs!Thanks,
Phil
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capri man
Gearhead Posts: 8777
From: doerun, ga.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-11-2003 09:28 AM
rdw40, you can install them either way.------------------
mike r
racing is real
everything else is just a game.
81 capri-7.51 @89mph 1/8
1.54 60 ft.
http://prestage.com/site/site_display.asp?SiteID=141
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68DARKHORSE
Gearhead Posts: 446
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-11-2003 10:05 AM
1" drop coils improve the look and the handling.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-11-2003 10:25 AM
I had air shocks on MM and several other Mustangs that I have owned. Both the dual fill and individual fill type. Over 20k street miles before I retired it.
I used them to stagger the rear suspension and for tire clearance. I NEVER had any upper mount issues.
Every Mustang I ever saw with upper shock mount trouble was due to rust or worn out bushings which caused friction.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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PONYMAN
Gearhead Posts: 421
From: Ardmore, Ok. USA
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 02-11-2003 11:26 AM
I have them on my 72 to level out the car. Absolutely no problems what so ever. Slightly rougher ride, but not much. Besides after getting out of my every day car, anything in a Mustang is a harsh ride.
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71RESTO
Gearhead Posts: 1655
From: Oregon, USA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 02-11-2003 11:07 PM
I'm with Alex on this one, I've had air shocks on probably a dozen cars and never once had a problem with busted top mounts. Then again, they were all rust free California cars.  ------------------
Duane
71 Fastback (his) under resto (351C-4V C6 auto)
73 Mach 1 (hers) (351CJ 4 speed)
66 289/2V coupe (daughter Ashley's)
89 LX 2.3 convertible (daughter Amanda's)
M & M Member #730
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-11-2003 11:31 PM
I've never had problems with air shocks, but if those springs are original, they have to be worn SLAP OUT! My mustang was dragging it's a$$ back in the mid 80's. It's springs were SHOT! They were so weak, the car handled like crap, and looked stupid with the rear dragging like it did. New springs are surprisingly cheap, and not that tough to install. A set of 'GT' 4-leaf springs on the rear really picked up the back end, and actually allowed me to carry passengers without bottoming the suspension! Handling was drastically improved! There's probably not an old mustang out there with original springs that doesn't desperately need replacements. Air shocks that are linked together with a 'Y' fitting handle like crap around turns. Air just rushes from one shock to the other as the car leans, and makes it feel like you're driving a cruise ship around the corner. The price of new ones isn't that far off what new springs cost, either. Air shocks are fine for occasionally carrying an extra load, but are no replacement for worn out springs. Over time, they can cause stress cracks in the shock mounts. Just do it. You'll be glad you did! Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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