airbags/shockwaves questions

[bobx]

hey..anyone here used the air ride 'shockwaves' - the bags with the shock built into them?? they cost a bunch more than reg. bags, but are nice as far as you dont have to add shocks. ive heard the rides not as good with them as with reg. bags.

anyone..anyone..

bueller...bueller...bueller..

[johnnylonghair]

I don't know about the ride but if you are looking for a set i have them for sale. These are not by air ride but look the same. oh and they cost a hell of alot less. Let me know.

[lownslow]

yeah but what about when the shock wears out? and it will .then you have to replace the whole thing.............

[RF]

In the old versions, the shocks were manufactured by QA1, which are right up there with Bilstein. The new ones are from Chris Alston, and feature dual (rebound/compression) adjustments. I wouldn't worry much about shock life. Donald, go back to paintin'!

[lownslow]

yes sir...........man do you just waiting for me to post ? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif........besides i gotta go heat up left over pizza jeeesh..........

[bobx]

but is the ride any different?? i was told that it was a little 'stiffer' than with a traditional bag..

[chickenridgerods]

I have a set of the 1st gen Shockwaves on a '92 Chevy Wagon. The ride is not as cushy as it is in the '59 with the regular bags. However, I have the shocks set pretty stiff since I like a stiffer ride.

The biggest downside with the Shockwaves is the limited travel. The Shockwaves that fit my Caprice are pretty short, and the ones that are on the Ride Tech demo X-frame looked about the same. . My '92 is also awfully heavy (4500+ pounds), which causes the poly bushings in the mounts at the ends of the assemblys to deform fairly quickly. I've replaced them once already, and am planning on switching to the solid spherical bearings on the lower end soon. This might not be as much of a problem on the early cars since they're quite a bit lighter.

The biggest plus is the full turning radius, which is really nice; especially considering my late model is a daily driver. They are also super easy to install/remove from the car and look good on a show car.

The assembly themselves are completely rebuildable. We nicked one of the bags when trying to trim some more of the frame for clearance after install, so we sent it back to Ride Tech for rebuilding. They just switched in a new bag using all the other "old" parts. You don't have to buy a whole new assembly. Same goes for if the shocks ever need rebuilding.


It sounds like the ones that Johnnylonghair has for sale are likely (based on his description) the AIM/Chassis Tech imitations, which are total junk. Don't even bother trying to use them because, well, they suck. Very cheap and poor quality, like most of AIM's stuff.

[CharlieLed]

Puttin' them on my Merc (w/Corvette IRS & IFS)...

[SanDiegoJoe]

look cool, more expensive...

NOT AS MUCH LIFT.

[slammed]

More air/volume with bag. With shockwave it take's up less space, like two in one. They were great for replacing rear coil-over's.Keep asking for your application how the ride is,and what type of ride you seek.Like the other HAMBer stated: AIM's stuff is sub-par. Score a pair of sway bar's for your wagon.You'll never regret it.Post a pic of it sometime please.

[bobx]

ive been the aim route in the past. i dont think id put any of their stuff on my car if they gave it to me. my wags got bags on it now..but im thinkin about goin with air rides new control arms to get a little lower. prob. end up going with the regular bags.

[slammed]

This car is killer! Try asking around, to see about 'stepping' the lower control arm's to get 1-2" more drop. Had that done to my bubble top.

[bobx]

hey slammed..could you get a couple of pics of the control arms..ive thought about doing that and would like to see how it was done on a 61.

[chickenridgerods]

If you just want to get it lower, put some dropped spindles in. You'll be putting the crossmember on the pavement - can't get much lower than that.

[bobx]

unless you section the crossmember..