Air Shocks Rear 2500 Burb

[Stratosurfer]

Hi,
I have a 98 2500 Burb that I just cranked up the front torsion bars on to level the truck. I add a rear receiver hitch 'carrier' rated at 500 lbs and will have it loaded and am afraid I'll be nose high after I load the Burb with 7 people and the carrier for a Christmas run to Colorado. I'm hoping air shocks are all I need. I used them in the mid '70's and didn't know they were still around. I don't think I need an air bag. Anyone using them and could anyone recommend between Gabriel and Monroe, or they they same units?
Thanks
Mark Magee
Brady TX

[Theront]

I have the Gabriel hijackers on my 94. They provide an additional 1100 lbs to the rear axle. They did lift the rear of my burban about 3" with 100 psi in them. I use them for towing my camper. They aren't really meant for lift but they do cause some lift.


Hope this helps.

[Jake]

You should consider adding a leaf. Air shocks transfer a lot of load to the shock mounts. Jake

[lost with out spark plugs]

Originally Posted by Jake

You should consider adding a leaf. Air shocks transfer a lot of load to the shock mounts. Jake

this added load is been the cause to make me replace the frame shock mounts many times. find some other way either springs or air bags. you will wish you never had airshocks if you break the shocks mounts.

[Stratosurfer]

Thanks Jake and Lost w/o Spark Plugs,
I had not considered the shock mounts, I found these airbags and will order today:

http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...aspx?kc=CRITEO

Seem reasonable and this Burb is only used for vacations and as a backup 3rd vehicle.

Thanks again guys.

[PrivatePilot]

I think you'll be happier with the bags - I thought about air shocks on my 1-ton as well but the stories of broken shock mounts, as well as my experience with how dismal air shocks are for reliability (they may be better now) steered me to bags. It was a great decision in the end.

[mxz_583_1997]

i have the monroes so far no problems

[Jake]

Also consider lowering the front down a little with the torsion bar adjustments. That way you'll be level with the load on. I like a little bit of downhill look to the stance anyway.

Jake

[Stratosurfer]

Originally Posted by Jake

Also consider lowering the front down a little with the torsion bar adjustments. That way you'll be level with the load on. I like a little bit of downhill look to the stance anyway.

My tires are 265R16's, 33" tall I think, it gives me an effective gear ratio of 3:73. I've always needed a little more clearance on those tires on the front. They have scrubbed occasionally on hard turns. I want the keep the torsion bars turned up nearly level for that reason. I think the airbags are my solution, and I thank all of you who chimed in.

[lost with out spark plugs]

I have another thought about lifting with air. There was a car I did use air shocks to lift to clear the free wrong size tires. It road rough due to the shocks being to short. Turned out that the shocks would top out. That turns out to be as bad or worse then bottoming out. For that car I used shock extensions. And was back to a good ride. And I had to find better shock mounts. But for that car it was easy to find a thicker plate of steal.
Your ride height should have your shocks centred in there travel. Might need to look into shocks for a lift.

And if you lift off your main leaf it gets a little squirrely. The most stable tow setup I have found is pushing the main leaf at least 1 inch into the spring pack. This helps with sway. Blocks would be better than having your main leaf off the pack.