Has anyone ever tried using air shocks on the front(and rear)of a leaf spring suspension as a cheap and easy way to get an inch or two lift.

Why would this be a bad idea?

Just thinking in theory today... I've never heard anyone mention this as an alternative(maybe with good reason).

It's been done tens of thousands of times, and yes it's a bad idea. Shock mounts were never designed to support the weight of a car.

Thanks for taking time to reply!

I guess I should get out more often.... tens of thousands of times and I've never see it or heard anyone talk about it.

I know back in the'60s-'70s hundreds of thousands of people, including myself(I still have a pair raising the rear of my '69 Bee) put HI Hackers on the back of their cars lifting them and inch or two despite shock mounts never having been designed to hold the weight of a car... Never knew anyone having broken shock mounts unless the car was rusty. Trucks were never designed to be lifted 6 inches and some have much more lift but thousands still do it. It really plays havoc on the suspension and center of gravity. I just thought 1-2" lift via air shocks might work out ok for non off road abuse application.

I was just curious....

I agree with everything said so far.

But if your only looking for inch or so to help some old springs it can be done...in the rear with in reason. Not maxed out like I used to run them. Never seen it done in the front on our old cars.

When I got my first car in 76 it was 71 340 RT challenger and the first thing I bought for it was air shocks for the rear and the second was M-50-14 tires mounted on some deep dish 10x14" crager SS rims and I was styling...big time in those days. I lowered the front end with the torsion bars, you can put a old mopar at any front end height. It was a big ole wedge, just like you see on tie shirts when there drawn all out of proportion.


That car was a chick magnet like I've haven't seen since. Had tons of fun in that car in it's short history with me. It handled like crap and I totaled it racing a girl in a 70 firebird at 2am in the morning into a telephone pole. Then the car didn't look so hot.

Ummmm, I was just answering your questions, from my experience, which is what you asked for...

I guess my answers to your two questions were wrong...dang

Dear Charles Manson(aka Pacnorthcuda)...

Your answers were not wrong! I'm sorry you are so sensitive and feel the need to be sarcastic just because I made a comment about your comment... You appear to have a bit of a double standard.
I did ask if people do that. You said yes. I'm not sure how that qualifies as a wrong answer. I merely stated that I haven't heard of it. I guess that offended you????

You said it was a bad idea. again... NOT a wrong answer!! I merely stated that I have done it regardless of whether it a good idea or not.

Forums used to be fun... Now it seems people are either telling you how stupid you are or they feel the need to belittle you with sarcasm. Dang!

there are plenty of people using those supplemental air bags on their trucks--2 of my friends put them on and say they like just to put a little air in them to soften the freeway driving (pitching) on dodge cummins trucks----dont know it they figured out if they are much higher--but they claim ride quality is much better---these bags are not that expenswive either....

I have electric air bags (not air shocks, big difference) on my 71
and they really help fine tuning the handling when hauling a loaded
car hauler. Only takes a couple of bumps on the button to make a difference & when my drop hitch wasn't quite low enough for a friend's
trailer, the air really helped.