Regular shocks or air shocks?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Rev Ron, Sep 2, 2013.

  1. Rev Ron

    Rev Ron Member

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    How about it... my 71 Comet GT is coming out of the paint booth this week. I need to put new shocks on it. What are the best ones for both a good ride and performance? I am thinking KYB Adjust A shocks for the front. But what about the rear? I have not had air shocks on a car for a long time and have a good pair sitting on the shelf, so why or why not? I am thinking the regular shocks will give a better ride..........
     
    Rev Ron, Sep 2, 2013
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  2. Moneymaker 1

    Moneymaker 1 Green Street Beasts

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    They say air shocks will rip the top mounts off unless reenforcement is added at the mounting point.
     
    Moneymaker 1, Sep 2, 2013
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  3. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    Just do a search on this board for Air Shocks. Lots of horror stories.
     
    Craig Selvey, Sep 2, 2013
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  4. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

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    If history isn't enough proof not to use them, I don't know what is...
     
    Dave B, Sep 2, 2013
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  5. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    it appears that most people try to correct weak/sagging springs with air shocks.
    the floor pan isn't thick enough to carry the weight of the car.

    JMO
     
    71gold, Sep 2, 2013
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  6. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    I had Gabriel Highjackers on my 73 Duster back in the day and bent both top mounts up until one broke off and sent the shock right up through the trunk floor. The Duster mounts were no different in design than the maverick - shocks are only designed for dampening, not to hold the weight of the car up :tiphat:
     
    mav1970, Sep 2, 2013
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  7. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    My use of air shocks destroyed the upper shock mounts on my 1st Maverick. A friend who raced a Super Stock drag car welded in a rectangular tube cross member for me. If you want the rear raised either install new leaf springs or put in a small lift Add-A-Leaf spring in the stock spring pack.

    Bruce
     
    Shorty, Sep 2, 2013
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  8. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    Exactly how I fixed my Duster - took it to a spring shop who sandwiched a length of angle iron under the floor and a steel plate above the floor to mount the shocks to, added a leaf to both sides, reached my original springs and the installed 3 way adjustable shocks - it was fine after that and rode way much better :)
     
    mav1970, Sep 2, 2013
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  9. coutangman

    coutangman Member

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    KYB ajusta-shocks are fairly stiff. The GR 2's give a much softer and more comfortable ride.


    Jim
     
    coutangman, Sep 2, 2013
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  10. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Here are some pictures of the cross member the upper shock mounts attach to, this car had air shocks and as you can see it didn't fare well. All of the rust in the first shot is the bottom of the trunk floor where the cross member used to be. Choice is yours but if it were me they won't be anywhere near my car.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    RMiller, Sep 2, 2013
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