Air shocks on a 74?

[Blue coyote]

I just got my "new" 74 V6/4-speed coupe dropped off yesterday, and started giving it a look-see today. I opened the trunk and saw a schrader valve mounted in the middle of the trunk pan, so I took a look underneath...Sure enough, this little bugger has air shocks! I'm thinking these are an aftermarket add-on, but does anyone know if they were an option in 74?

The car is a total beater, but I can't complain...it was basicly FREE! Hasn't run in years, but the engine looks complete (but a bit corroded) and its got a set of long-tube headers, so even if it ends up being scrapped, I'm still ahead of the game, at least on THIS one!

 

[UnbridledFury]

Not an option, but it was nice replacement for lift shackles or shock extenders. I have air shocks on the back of mine - been on the car since 1984.

 

[mean78]

hey well i dont want to steal your thread or anything but have you guys ever heared of a mcpherson type coil shock that would replace the stock shock?

my dad had a 74 with a v6 and he said it had a little coil around the shock that could be adjusted.

it was abviously after market

 

[Blue coyote]

I've heard of them, but I don't know anything about them...

It looks like the air shocks were a pretty clean install, so if they work I'll leave them there (unless the King decides he needs them, of course. )

I really need to concentrate on the King and the Bronco, followed by the faux-cobra, before I spend much time tinkering with this oddball little freebie

 

[Dano78]

I've got air shocks on my Fastback too. Definately not factory, but keeps that ass-end up off the rear bumper...

Snap a pic of those headers. I'd like to see them. Might have to wait until (if you do) pull the engine to get a good shot. I picked up a couple sets many moons ago and wonder if they are or look similiar. Mine were suppose to be for a V6 in a II, but I've yet to try installing them in a car.

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, even if you use it for parts. Almost free IS a darn good price!

 

[barrylee66]

air shocks ? come on guys buy a new set of rear springs or the right wheels, air shocks ruin the ride and the car wont hook, it is not the right way, ok I understand if its a money issue, but I have to say air shocks and shackles are bad mmkk

 

[Blue coyote]

air shocks ? come on guys buy a new set of rear springs or the right wheels, air shocks ruin the ride and the car wont hook, it is not the right way, ok I understand if its a money issue, but I have to say air shocks and shackles are bad mmkk

Awefully opinionated lately, and such strong convictions, too

Perhaps you missed the part of my post where I mentioned that the car was a beater, and FREE? And the air shocks are ALREADY IN IT?

Why the HELL would I pull out the perfectly serviceable air shocks currently in this FREE car, buy new shocks to replace them, buy a set of springs and stock shackles (Since they are so much "tougher" than slightly longer shackles that MIGHT make a difference in stance and handling), and then spend at least a day ripping into it all in my front yard?

I might swap the air shocks into my King Cobra, and swap the King shocks into the 74, though.

Ride quality is the LAST thing on the list when the first goal is leaving snake tracks at will

302 (probably cammed by previous owner), C4, 4.10 Trak/Lok, 295/50R15's on 15x10's. Sure, it'll top out quick. DAMNED quick and probably light 'em up sideways whenever I choose. Next to that, ride quality isn't even tertiary...

 

[Wart]

air shocks ? come on guys buy a new set of rear springs or the right wheels, air shocks ruin the ride and the car wont hook, it is not the right way, ok I understand if its a money issue, but I have to say air shocks and shackles are bad mmkk

 

[Vegas Stang]

I love my Monroe Air Shocks.

 

[COBRAIIW]

A lot of guys used air shocks in the seventies, I had a set of Hurst Hijackers on my 65 Dart. Monroe also also sold airshocks.
They were good for looks only, it gave the car that "drag race" look.
primarily sold for cars used for towing so the rear didn't sag down under load.
Better to use inexpensive stock shocks for a daily driver.
Please don't put them on your King.

 

[Blue coyote]

Better to use inexpensive stock shocks for a daily driver.
Please don't put them on your King.

Have you got any idea just how little clearance the 295/50R15 Kumho Ventures on 15x10's have on the stock suspension of my King? less than 1/8" all around the wheel well, and they actually tuck almost 1/2" up ABOVE the lip of the fender.

I also already have a portable air setup that uses BBQ propane cylinders for topping up the shocks while out and about. Doesn't make sense to me to spend a few hundred bucks for a 1/2" of clearance when I can get the same from an hour's worth of labour. Like I posted above, ride quality is a non-issue for the King, and "hooking up" is only a VERY minor consideration. Its more humiliating for that Honda driver when a Mustang II blows the doors off his rice-mobile sideways anyway

Oh, and the only way the King will pull daily driver duty is if the wife's POS 81 coupe finally dies the ignoble death I have been eagerly looking forward to, eh?

 

[Steel Steeds]

Seems to me that the Honda might blow YOUR doors off if you can't get the tires to hook up...

 

[Blue coyote]

Simple laws of friction

Sure, the tires are spinning faster than the car, but it'll STILL generate more forward momentum than most Honda's, and burnouts just look silly on a front wheel drive, don't they...

 

[Steel Steeds]

burnouts just look silly on a front wheel drive, don't they...

Can't argue with that.

 

[Vegas Stang]

1st, it was Gabrial that made Hi Jackers, not Hurst. I don't know what the big deal is about air shocks. I only run about 35lbs to get 2 " lift and I still have a decent ride and with the traction bars I get great traction of course in order to hook up you need good tires and I have no complaints about BF T/A's car hooks so good I snapped a motor mount 1st time out at the track and its an auto.

 

[COBRAIIW]

Thanks, I couldn't remember the name when I posted.
Like I said, before I learned more about cars, the "cool" thing to do back in the early seventies, was to raise the rear, add chrome rims, and a wild paint job.
Two of those ideas stuck through the years.
If anyone here has pics of their car (or van) from the seventies, I would love to see you post them.

 

[Blue coyote]

ANY modification taken to an extreme will have a negative impact. That doesn't invalidate its use in ALL instances, does it? Putting in air shocks does NOT mean that they NEED to be filled to 150 PSI with 15" of rear lift, any more than putting a turbo on would mean that you NEED to run 500 lbs of boost, or putting nitrous means you NEED to use a 200hp shot every time you crack the bottle.

 

[Dano78]

I think I run about 25-30 psi. in my shocks. Even seems to sit the same with the air shocks bled out so I'm guessing my springs are just fine. I happen to like the stiffer ride the air shocks provide. And like most others, they were already on the car when i bought it.

I've put air shocks on my 69F100 and my Ranchero days ago but mainly for an increase in payload. The biggest annoyance with airshocks are the leaking lines. I seem to always have trouble keeping hte shocks from leaking.