So I ordered some Gabriel hijackers for my 53 merc and had a couple questions. My car right now sits on 4" blocks. What are people using for a quick air dump? Is there a certain type of valve that I need to hook up to the hijackers? I'm also still running the 6 volt system, will a 12 volt system run on a 6 volts? Also I've been reading that I need to run each shock separately so I don't get body roll? Is this correct or will they be fine? Thanks in advance for help and information. George Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
And there's a minimum air pressure recommended to not have problems. When I've used them in the past there was only one fill line for both.
Yeah the specs say min 25psi. Did you have any issues with body roll? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
these ar not air bags and are not designed to dump like an airbag nor were they ever really hooked up individually. your body roll has to do with the springs more then the shocks
I understand that but there is quick air release valves for the shocks as I've seen them in other people's rides. Perfect, I read somewhere on here about hooking up the shocks separately but maybe I misunderstood what they were talking about. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It will not matter what valve you put on them. With the size of the port on the shock itself, it will not be a quick dump.
They use a simple schrader valve just like a tire. Sent via Illinois Bell Telephone Company's Car Radiotelephone
What is exactly that you are trying to accomplish with the air shocks. Sent via Illinois Bell Telephone Company's Car Radiotelephone
A Schrader valve is the customary method. You could use valves like an airbag setup, but the are unlikely to be particularly fast. If you are filling with a compressor and tank, you need a valve to fill, and a valve to dump. If plumbing separately, you will need 4 valves, 2-per shock.
Basically what I want is the option to raise the rear slightly when need be like for tire changes, putting the car on a rack, getting on a flatbed or trailer, ect. I do not want to use it as a airbag set up. The thing about the quick air release was just simply for show off reasons lol. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yeah, with the small ports on the shocks, it won't be that fast. Might be better to spend that money elsewhere.
Gotcha. I put them on my fathers '54 210 for the same reason. He keeps a small 12 volt air compressor with a long cord on it in the trunk for he needs to fill them. Sent via Illinois Bell Telephone Company's Car Radiotelephone
So I can't have style with practicality at the same time? Lol Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
So to let the air out I have to use a Schrader tool? There has so be some sort of release that I can install inside the car. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I used a compressor from an o/t suv to fill mine and a valve from a helper spring kit to release. Just had 2 toggle switches, one to turn compressor on/off and one to open/close valve. It was terribly slow to lift and only marginally faster to drop. I used some brass fittings to adapt from the 1/8" line to 1/4" line.
Schrader tool, rock, stick, knife, screwdriver, or anything else that fits. Never had a need to fill them or empty them from the drivers seat. I guess it really depends on if you want to spend the time and money running wire for a compressor and valves. Air shocks are only for getting a couple extra inches to increase load capacity. So I'm a little confused when you say you want to dump them to quickly lower your car. Sent via Illinois Bell Telephone Company's Car Radiotelephone
A simple ball valve as a "dump" will empty them as quicky as the tiny lines allow. As for "show off reasons", it sure isnt going to impress anyone watching it SLOWLY go up and down. Have you ever pulled the valve out of a tire and heard it "whistle" as it empties? This set up will sound a lot closer to that than the air bag PSHHHH.
I agree I was just thinking something a little faster than sticking my finger nail and having it drop haha. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I use to have air shocks on the rear of my 57 Belair in high school with the optional 12v air pump. They were slow filling up and letting back down. I mainly used them to get the rake. They suck as shocks though. You could do what you are wanting with a reserve air tank and compressor......and the answer is no on running a 12volt pump on 6v. You will have to convert the car to 12v or run two 6v batteries.
If you don't want to use them as air bags then why are you worried about quick dumps or showing off? They just don't work like that, nor are they intended to.
I'm running a set on my 53 merc with 2 inch blocks in the ass end (and 2 in the front). Like the folks have been saying you won't get any low rider action like you'd get with bags but I get a lot of travel. Down to 25 the back sits LOW. Up all the way and I feel like I'm staring at the pavement. The difference in the feel of the ride is nice to be able to adjust as well. For what you are trying to do with them you'll be fine. Filled up I get enough travel I can still change a flat on the side of the road if need be. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Perfect that's the main reason I'm going to use them. Are you using any gauges, compressor, or in cab air release? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
You will possibly have a height issue with the minimum 25 lbs. as it may make the car sit a little higher than it does now. Individual line kits have been available almost as long as air shocks have been around. And yes, you can have body roll induced from one shock backfilling the other with a common fill line. There's no back checks, or they wouldn't release air when you opened the Schrader valve. The induced roll wont happen much at each end of the pressure range. Way up in pressure will be maxed out, and not allow roll, and way low will not have much air transfer from side to side. It's in the middle range that the body roll will put pressure on the shock and displace air to the other shock. I've run air shocks on several drag cars with separate fill lines to preload the rear suspension for a straight launch. The dual fill kits work with the single fill kit to split it, so you only need the one dual fill kit and the factory kit that comes with the shocks. You can buy electric solenoids to discharge the system's air with a switch. Then you need a line tied in to one side of each fill, with compressor hooked up to refill them. The dual fill kit has two T's, so it makes the discharge and fill easier, as one side of the T will accommodate each function.
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