Mine is a 73 so different gen, but it came with air shocks from the factory which I recently replaced with new ones (Monroes I think) that I am actually quite happy about, they hold pressure well and improved the handling a lot. That said, I think next time I will go for something a bit more 'upscale' (the air shocks were only about $60 for the pair). If you do a search here, you will find tons of information on your various options, from good quality regular shocks to air bags and other possibilities.

 

A good set of gas shocks and air bags will give you a better ride.

 

Ah ha!! so some of them did come with air shocks. How do I know if mine did originally?? I don't want to go with air bags.( cost issues for me). Even if it did come with air shocks,could I install new springs and gas shocks and still have the original ride height and good steering??:dontknow:

 

X2 to 464elky's comment.
All Caminos came with air shocks as original equipment. They allow the flexibility of choice between passenger car ride quality or load-handling ability with a simple adjustment in air pressure and were cheaper and far more reliable than the automatic air suspensions that GM offered for a short time in the late 50's. Unfortunately, adding the task of load-handling to a shock absorber detracts from its primary job of dampening suspension oscillations, so both ride quality and handling characteristics suffer.
As 464 posted, upgrading to a premium set of monotube gas shocks, supplemented by AirLift bags for load-carrying, will greatly improve both your ride quality and cornering capability. It made such a huge difference on mine that I'm still P.O'd at myself for not making the change years ago. If you have no intention of using yours for heavier loads, do the shock upgrade now and the AirLifts when funds allow or the need arises.

Bill

 

WOW! I had no idea that they all came with air shocks. I'm glad I asked.What are the costs involved with air bags and do they mount right on?? What would the result be if I just put gas shoks in and scratched the air shocks??:dontknow:

 

The only function of the AirLifts is to handle loads. If you don't plan on needing the extra capacity, there's no need for the bags. Since my Camino is the only truck in my family fleet, I opted for the bags just in case the need arises, as I too have the Moog CarGo coils. It's been almost a year since I did my shock swap and I have yet to inflate them over the 5 psi. minimum pressure. I bought my bags from Advance Auto Parts with one of their $35 off $100 deals, so I spent less than $70. Mounting is not difficult at all. I removed my springs to make stuffing the bags inside the springs a task I could do on the bench rather than on a creeper. Shocks, bags and air lines were all done in one evening's work.

Bill

 

bags are cheap, easy to do and you will enjoy the car more. check out Air Lift 1000 kit

 

I have had seven 3rd Gen Caminos & all of them came with air shocks. Sooner or later, air shocks will eventually leak. My last two restorations, I replaced the stock camino springs with station wagon springs and upgraded from air shocks to KYB gas shocks (about $60 a pair). At the same time I replaced all upper & lower control arm bushing with polyurethane and added either a 7/8 or 1 inch rear sway bar. In both cases, I was very happy with the results-ride and handling improved significantly.

I am currently running air bags on my 69 but unless I need to haul something heavy & need to get the back end up or decide to race it, I doubt I will ever use them. Between the poly bushings, gas shocks, and big sway bars, it rides and handles much better than stock and as well as a 2-ton GM A-body can be expected to.

Bottom Line: IMHO, you cant beat KYB gas shocks for the money!

 

the guys are talking about these air bags that go inside the rear coil spring and not the whole bag system you see on high dollar rides. This setup cost $100 from Honest charleys. They are about the same price from Summit or Jegs. Just thought that needed to be cleared up.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1394389

You can use your existing air line to fill the bags. That take some of the work out of it.

 

Good info,Jarhead !:beer:

 

I have a 1987 El Camino, I replaced the air shocks with Moog Cargo-Coil springs which are a variable
rate design and installed KYB Gas-A-Just shocks all around. Big improvement in ride and handling.
:smileyb:

 

I use the KYB gas-a-just shocks with the air-lift bags & I put in wagon springs for when I do put a load in the back !! It's a great & smooth ride !! Don't like the leaky air shocks !!

 

Thankyou for all the information gentlemen. I'll let you know how I make out.Can't wait to get this frame all back together and get the body back on.:You_Rock:

 

What are these "Wagon Springs" you speak off, and where can I get some?

I'm planning on upgrading the front and rear suspensions soon and am researching options.

Mine is a 1980 with Air Shocks in the rear. I want to go ahead and swap to KYB gas shocks in front and rear, then also swap to a stiffer spring set up, and use Airlift airbags inside the spring for raising it when I need to.

 

The "wagon springs" are springs from the rear of a Malibu or other A/G body wagon. They are a little heavier spring.

 

Years ago, station wagon rear springs were taller and stiffer than the ones used in the equivalent coupe or sedan. With the '78 and later GM midsize vehicles that's no longer true. You can go to Moog's website, enter in a vehicle for a part number, then look at this chart for the specs: http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/moog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/MOOG_Coil_Springs_Spec.pdf
I and many others use the Moog Cargo coils out back. They're a variable rate spring that sits a bit taller and gets stiffer with load. I was very satisfied with the ride and handling when I went to KYB's with the Cargo coils. Eventually, I added the AirLift bags, which firmed up the rear a bit when unloaded, even with the 5 psi minimum pressure, but it still rides and corners far, far better than the air shocks I removed.


Bill

 

the springs for a wagon are moog part# 5419, they have a higher spring rate, are nearly 2" higher and constant rate - they will raise your rear higher. another option you can consider are the rear springs from an s-10. the free height is only another 1/2", they have a higher spring rate AND they are variable rate. also readily avail. in most any boneyard cheap; take some home wash, scuff, paint and drop in for around $40 or less.

your stock elky springs are moog prt# 6321

but definitely use the airlift instead of air shocks - far better ride that way while you still have the ability to lift when you have a heavy load to haul

 

interesting! RockAuto confirms that stock is #6321, but then also lists #cc627 as a variable rate (acdelco is 45h3013). Summit doesn't even show variable rate for these.

on the other hand, which S10 are you talking about, Ed, that has rear coils?

Moog 6321
===============================================
Bar Diameter - Inches 0.53
Free Height - Inches 14.29
ID - Inches 5.58
Installation Height - Inches 8.50
Load - lbs 689.00
Spring Rate - lbs per inch 119.00

BUICK SKYLARK (1967 - 1972)
BUICK SPECIAL (1967 - 1969)
CHEVROLET CHEVELLE 1968
CHEVROLET EL CAMINO (1978 - 1987)
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO (1984 - 1985)
OLDSMOBILE 442 1969
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS (1967 - 1972)
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1972
OLDSMOBILE F85 (1969 - 1972)
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (1983 - 1987)


MOOG Part # CC627
=============================================
Bar Diameter - Inches 0.59
Free Height - Inches 14.63
ID - Inches 5.53
Installation Height - Inches 10.00
Load - lbs 600.00
Spring Rate - lbs per inch 122.00
Spring Type Variable Rate

BUICK CENTURY (1978 - 1981)
BUICK REGAL (1978 - 1987)
CHEVROLET EL CAMINO (1978 - 1987)
CHEVROLET MALIBU (1978 - 1983)
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO (1978 - 1982)
GMC CABALLERO (1978 - 1987)
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS (1980 - 1981)
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CALAIS (1981 - 1984)
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SALON (1978 - 1987)
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME (1978 - 1988 )
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (1982 - 1986)
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (1978 - 1982)
PONTIAC LE MANS (1978 - 1981)

 

I have KYB's on my other A-body (72 Cutlass) and they've worked well for nearly 20 years. I worked on another A-body (71 GTO) for a guy, and we installed the Bilstein shocks - WOW! IMHO, they ride even better than the KYB's, and handle better as well.

On my '72 El Camino, I have added the AirLift bags, and have ordered Bilsteins for it as well.

 

Air Bags

I recently put a set of KYB gas shocks and put air bags in the rear coils. You can't believe the difference in handling and cornering since i removed my air shocks in my 67 Elky.

 

I thought I would also mention that it was because of the air shocks that GM never offered a rear sway bar for the Elkie (at least in the 5th gens). From what I read somewhere the sway bar didn't work well in conjunction with the sloppiness (for lack of a better word) of the air shocks. So no air shocks add a sway bar and you'll think you got a new ride. In My opinion one of the cheapest and easiest suspension upgrades for our crucks.
Ang.

 

ditto - the single best upgrade made to my elky was the rear sway bar. you will notice it on your first turn

 

How long do these Air Bags last { Life } ? How many years have they been installed ? Thanks ...

 

I've got 2 1/2 years on a set from air ride
I use the cruck for work and the only problem I had so far was my fault with the air lines. Once repaired the bags have been fine.
Ang.

 

like 87. I went kybs, new springs and 100 dollar bags(firestone). Ill clean up that rear this spring.Huge improvement with gas shocks. No more hoppin. Smoother ride and improved load capacity.

 

I love my air lift bags.
Don't "leak down" like air shocks.
I ran 2 airlines but then I race her.

 

I love my air lift bags.
Don't "leak down" like air shocks.
I ran 2 airlines but then I race her.

Yeh sorry air Lift not ride. I've got CRS
Ang.

 

Thanks on the Reply ...

 

Ditto on all the above on Air lift 1000's

The only thing I'd add is that I went with separate lines to each bag! You can make the right side a little higher in pressure for racing? Also can level out the back of your ride if it should sit a little off to one side! Almost 2 yrs. no problems! just added an extra hole opposite original one under gas lid door. Amazon.com @ $100.00 or less. :wink:

 

I'm in the progress of refinishing mine. I ordered a set of poly bushing all around, so that'll raise the car about 1" since the rubber mounts are all squished.

I really want to have it lowered a few inches for a nicer stance, but I do carry stuff in the back as well. I read that you can replace the rear spring with Moog 5413 for a 1.5" drop.
I'll also be going with KYB Gas shocks since those seems popular and has good results. 1" Rear Sway bar as well.

As for the front, I'm not sure what spring will lower the car about an inch or two. Maybe 2" Drop spindles or drop springs.

I'll probably add airbags inside the springs to raise it up / stiff up the ride when I do carry stuff.

Would this be a good set up?