Sagging Rear End, Air bags or air shocks?

[86Elk]

Hey guys my goal here is raise the rear end of my 86 el camino, nothing is more ugly to me than a sagging rear on a muscle car. As of now my car looks like it has skirts, the top of the tire is covered by the quarter. Now should I go with air bags or air shocks for ride height increase? Im liking the shocks because it looks like a simple install and they are cheaper, but before I do any ordering id like to know the opinions of some users. Do you have to remove the rear springs to install the air bags? Here are the two set-ups I am considering. thanks.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HSS-31750/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MON-MA789MM/

[chevy7dss]

I had air shocks on my 79 el camino. The air outlet for putting air in the shocks up was in the inner edge of body under the gas lid door. I think it was factory location for it. You might check your body edge under the gas lid door has a hole to put the end in it if you use air shocks. Mine el camino had a nice ride to it with air shocks and leveled it just right. Cheaper cost then the air bags your looking at for sure. Larry

[Al Camino]

Springs

[86Elk]

Yea i know i should probably do springs but I dont want to be disappointed with a similar ride height. Im running a larger tire 245-60-15 and I just want at most 2 inches. The car was equiped with air shocks, the valve stem and lines are in thier factory location but they have been changed to gas fills somewhere down the line. once again thanks for the help

[BillyJack]

Originally, Caminos were set up from the factory with a soft spring for good unladen ride quality (actually softer than G-body coupes or sedans). Air shocks were then used to achieve load carrying ability. The cheapest fix is obviously just to replace your shocks with air shocks. I also replaced my springs with Moog CarGo coils, which kept the back end at a sufficient ride height to expose the whole sidewall (275/60-15's) without any help from the air shocks. However, air shocks were never designed to offer superior handling capabilities. Probably the best solution for optimum handling, which will be my next move, will be a premium set of gas shocks, such as Bilstein or Edelbrock, along with airbags for load capacity. I've had a few good-handling G-bodies over the years, and though my Camino will never handle as well as my coupes did, I feel there's still gain to be had with a premium rear shock. As with most other automotive improvements, the only limiting factor is your wallet.

Bill

[skeetfreak]

Don't want to be a barer(giver)of bad news. If you install new shocks and don't replace your worn out springs you are shortning the LIFE of your new shocks. You are expecting the shocks to do some of the work of the springs SHORTNING the life of your new shocks.

[melissadunagan]

Hey replace the springs now and when you get some more money get the air bags, and then get you some good gas shocks. If I remember right you do not have to remove the springs to get the air bags in. I think you have to remove the bottom bolt on the shocks. Let the rear end hang as low as it will go with out letting the springs out. The rear end will need something to suppot it. Lot easyer with the car on a lift.

[wallyk50]

The previous owner of my '86 had gone the cargo coil route. It sat too high in the rear and rode like a brick without a load. I replace the coils with SS Monte Carlo springs and used air bags in the springs. The Hotchkiss setup you show from Summit is also sold in Summit under part #60769 (Air Lift Co.) for $81.95. Air Lift is the manufacturer for those bags. Works great! Good Luck

[86Elk]

Guys thank you all for your imput, you all make very valid points. Being that I have 160k I think I will go for new springs in the near future, and then possibly the air bags and gas shocks.

[MrCryptic]

New springs will make a world of difference, especially if that car has been used to haul stuff over the years im sure the springs are sagging. Replace that and the Shocks, you'll notice a world of difference.

[Drowzy]

Any significant ride height issue is springs, not shocks. Springs are inexpensive or comparable in price to shocks. Even heavy duty springs.
list price at napa is 135 and some change for variable springs on the rear of 5th gens.
139 for straight up coil. thats a pair

[elamott]

I had air shock for a number of years but after a while I would have trouble when I wanted to haul something. I finally put in new shocks and air bags. That was the best decision that I ever made. Bags are far superior especially if you haul anything heavy.
elamott

[just plain john]

If you use shocks to raise it up they ride like hell. You won't be happy with it.

[King John]

I'm sold! Taking back my Monroe Air Shocks I picked up yesterday and will be ordering the Airlift Kit. Gotta change my sagging springs anyway so might as well do it all one time! Learned an important thing though even if it is a "truck"...kinda, 1200 prounds of cement bags ain't all that great for the rear end! blew the driver side air shock and compressed the spring.

[PaPa Johns 77]

If it is sagging the springs are worn out! replace them then go with a good quality shock and Airlift airbags!
While you are there it would be a good time replace all the bushings too! With just good old moog oringinal replacement bushings!