I use my caprice more like a 'work horse' ... class 3 hitch [5000 lbs] ... haul trailer with fire wood ... or haul heavy loads in the car ... lumber /drywall What can ANYONE tell me about adding AIR SHOCKS to bring up rear-end!? Pros & Cons .. wanna hear them all thanks glassman
Both my Roadmasters have factory equipped air shocks with load leveling setups. They can take a hell of a load and keep the car level. I packed the rear of one with 24 sheets of 1/2" drywall once and the guy at home depot thought I was nuts till it pumped up and leveled out. I have no cons about the setup what so ever and a car this big and heavy NEEDS the setup if you are gonna use it for work, that my opinion.
I personally don't like air shocks, not stiff enough for me. I like the air lift bags that go inside of the coil spring. That way you can use any shock you want to get the feel you like. Also the air bags keep the load on the spring mounts and not the shock mounts as with the air shocks. Air shocks will work for what you are doing just fine though.
As noted, air shocks were a factory option - in fact there was a self-leveling system that included an on-board compressor and height sensor to automatically inflate or deflate the air shocks. The problem I have with air shocks is that the shock mounting locations really aren't designed to carry the full weight of the car. I also prefer air bags that go inside the rear coil springs. Air Lift makes a kit for this car.
as my dad said: air shocks are for lazy mechanic's. air bags are for mechanics that have plenty time on there hands. I like air bag because you get a better ride and haul more weight ,than air shocks. if you don't think ,look at any semi. there air rides are air bags, never see air shocks on them!
