Hi All:

Have been 'lurking' around the site for a while & decided I could use the benefit of some advice.....there is obviously a lot of talent out there.

I have a '83 Elky, pretty much a plainjane beast; 305, 3 speed auto, full guages, air, pw, pdl, cruise. I bot the car in AZ, but I think it originally came from CA, based on emmissions equip. 120 k miles. Good solid body, no rust, but the desert heat has been hard on door rubbers, bushings, etc & the dust has taken its toll on things like bearings, speedo, tach, etc.

I am at the very beginning of a rebuild & decided to start with the suspension. After looking over the posts from a number of members in the 'suspension' section, have tentativley decided on the following for the rear suspension: Replace shocks with KYB Gas-A-Just, replace bushings with polyurethane, add airlift adjustable air bags, add swaybar.

I am unsure whether I need to replace rear springs, the car looks low in the back, but when measured seems to be fairly level, about 26 1/2" to inside of wheel wells, both front & back.

Would appreciate any suggestions before I proceed.

Thanks.

ECHarv, in Arizona

First of all...WELCOME!!!!

So far as the rear goes...lotta folks swear by their airbags! That way you can get it so it LOOKS right...as well as pump'm up to carry a load! :thumbsup:

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/87ss/hallo.gif Harv!

I am unsure whether I need to replace rear springs, the car looks low in the back, but when measured seems to be fairly level, about 26 1/2" to inside of wheel wells, both front & back. I'm sure you're fine but those air bags will give you the flexibility to cure most ills

Welcome!
The things you mention are some of the very first things I did to my '87.
Sounds like a good plan.
-dan

Sounds like a great start! Yes, Air lift bags work great. Welcome to a great site.

Thanks for the words of welcome, much appreciated. I am in the process of choosing suppliers for suspension parts, etc. & would appreciate being able to benefit from the knowledge of members who have already been there.

Please see my requests for guidance under "Suspension".

Thanks.

Harv

sounds really nice .Iwould go with air bags,the air shocks blow out after a while or just use long bolts with a zillion washers on top of the shocks like mine was when I got it :lol:

Hi and Welcome. to the site I'm kinda new here as well.
If yo want to make the air bags self maintaining Just rob the pump, harness, and control modual from a 86 Caddy and wala AIR RIDE

It fits but if you put the pump up front you may want a Olsmobile cutless inner fender with the factory mounts and ,rob a power antenia relay to adapt it to your car :cool:

I have the diagrams if you need them.

New to site,,,,, 71 SS supposedly,,,,I

new

E.C., Welcome from Oklahoma, good luck with your 73!, Jim

Welcome aboard, Harv.



Doug

Welcome from Idaho.

To all,

thanks for the posts and welcome..................... R/ kelan