Air Shocks
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
55 -
I run a pair of Gabriel Hijackers on the rear of my 56. I plumbed the air into the right rear wheel well at the frame. I selected air shocks because mine is a working truck and I expect to haul some heavy loads. In fact, the first heavy load I hauled was the old 351C engine back to the store for a core charge refund. Piece of cake.
A regular 50/50 shock would ride better, I'm sure. But it seemed a practical solution.
I run a pair of Gabriel Hijackers on the rear of my 56. I plumbed the air into the right rear wheel well at the frame. I selected air shocks because mine is a working truck and I expect to haul some heavy loads. In fact, the first heavy load I hauled was the old 351C engine back to the store for a core charge refund. Piece of cake.
A regular 50/50 shock would ride better, I'm sure. But it seemed a practical solution.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I too have air shocks on my 56 panel, first because they were on when I bought it, but I plan to leave them on or replace them with another set second because my truck is lowered and I plan to tow a 5000# trailer with it so I don't want it dragging on the ground when I do. Air shocks are simply standard shocks with air bag auxilary springs in them. They require you to maintain a minimum pressure in them at all times to prevent damaging the air bag so the will stiffen the ride like a heavier spring but adding air doen't change the valving or contol of the shock portion, so the handling will deteriorate as you add air to them the same way using a worn out set of shocks with softer springs would. If you don't seriously need the ability to add spring stiffness in order to occasionally haul heavy loads, you don't need or want air shocks.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
This truck is going to be my daily driver....i will be using it to haul some loads (especially a ton or more of rocks for landscaping soon) The air shocks i have on there now are gone I guess, took the truck to the brake shop and when they lifted the truck...the left side will not go down...i was missing the control valve...i bought a kit from autozone ($13 bucks) and it won't fit the shocks at all...so i wanted to buy some new ones and see if that would make a diffference....ebay has Gabriel shocks for $29.95 but i would like to know what part number you are running on your trucks rearend...
James
James
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pacific NW
I put a pair of air shocks from E-Bay on my 56 awhile back and wasn't sure which ones would work for my application, luckily it still had a pair of blown out regular ones on it so I was able to measure the compressed length, extended length, and top and bottom mounting style. Mine needed a pin type on top and an eye an the bottom. The current item that matches the set I bought are E-Bay item #7981459435. It is important to verify that your mounts are the same due to the fact that my rear axle is out of a 67 Mustang and I'm not sure if they are the same as stock. Also upon receiving my new set I found out that the eyelets were too small for the bolts and I had to remove the ones from the old set and swap them out. I emailed the seller with my dimensions and he was able to point me towards the correct set.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Bacliff Texas
My 58 has air shocks.Rear springs only have 3 leafs.Idont know how many its suppose to have.Lets you drop rearend pretty far.Anyway it still feels solid when aired up.
Ed
Ed
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
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From: Deridder, LA
The ones I am looking at on eaby are #7982053810...i emailed the seller twice to see if he had some for my year...also my rearend is the original...
James
James
Last edited by 55FordLover; Jun 22, 2005 at 10:13 AM.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 34
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From: Pacific NW
Forgive me for asking but.... I assume by the phrase that they are "gone" you mean they are there physically, just not working? If they are there your best bet would be to remove them measure them and send the specs to the seller.
I noticed the set you were looking at doesn't come with the line kit, maybe that was the difference in price between those and the ones I bought off of E-Bay. The set I bought came with seperate line kits for each shock, not sure how much the kits are... just something to think about.
Adam
I noticed the set you were looking at doesn't come with the line kit, maybe that was the difference in price between those and the ones I bought off of E-Bay. The set I bought came with seperate line kits for each shock, not sure how much the kits are... just something to think about.
Adam
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
I was going to remove them today and get the measurement...sucks though...i drove the truck around with the bed hanging up in the air looking crazy...heard a pop - the left side went down and now it looks right....still need to get new ones though...can't be half-stepping with a classic..thanks for info....the seller told me I needed the 49-51 ford shocks that i was looking at...is he on crack or what?
James
James
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
when you put air shocks on, make sure you run separate lines for each shock. If you only use one line for both shocks, it will throw off your suspension on corners. See if I can explain. As you drive into a corner, notice how the truck will lean the opposite way? If you only have one airline, the weight of the truck leaning to one side will force the air out of that shock, forcing it into the other one, causing it to lean even more. It can do this even with a sway bar, which most old trucks don't have.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
3 years ago I installed Gabrials on my 54. They fit great, but the ride was harsh even with the bare minimum air pressure. I returned them and got my $70 back from Kragen. But for a truck that is going to haul loads they will prob be great. Jag
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
I have been searching ebay like crazy and cannot find any air shocks that fit...think i will have to go with a car shock...also I only have 5 leafs on the rear...so its kind of low in the back....
James
James
