• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Air assist shock VS spring assist shock.


Frenchy

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Points
3
Location
wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford/ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Im sure this topic has been beaten to death, and i searched the forum rigorously for about 10 minutes trying to find the appropriate thread and i could not locate it, so i apologize in advance. The short story of my situation is that i just baught my ranger for daily travel and towing the boat on weekends. Its an 18' Alumacraft, fully loaded with trailer it comes in around 1800lbs. i wasnt sure how well it would do with the boat till today when i was able to hook up and go for a test spin. Super impressed with how well it actually handled it! The only complaint i really have is that i wish it had some more "Firmness" to the rear end, less squate and a little more weight capability, ridgidity if you would. The rig doesnt feel squirlly around corners at all, but you definitely know that something is there. SO! With all that being said, ive been planning on purchasing either air assited shocks or the coil over shocks to help out with the towing duties. Anyone have first hand experience with these? Is one easier to deal with on a day to day basis? Or is there something else entirely that i dont know about? Thanks for any input!
 

Attachments



sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,380
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
With a leaf spring suspension, it is better to either add helper springs or get heavier rated leaf springs. If you aren't super handy, helper springs would probably be the better choice. They typically bolt right on to your existing leaf springs. Air shocks, while they can work, are not the best solution for dealing with load carrying and using either air shocks or spring assist shocks used on shock mounts not designed for carrying a load is a horrible idea.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
air bags.



period.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
softer leafs


air bag...


win....win.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.

Frenchy

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Points
3
Location
wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford/ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Never thought about the helper springs, what a brain fart, ill check some out. bobbywalter, I've thought about airbags haha, but i think ill keep it simple for a bit. if after this season of fishing i dont feel satisfied with whatever i pick, i might just try a set of bags though, I have heard good things bout'm.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
But... did you think about....

tenor (29).gif
 

Frenchy

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Points
3
Location
wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford/ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I think about it all the time, where on earth can i get me some blue man-jams like that!? That shits' sexy. My manshakes would bring all the girls to the yard.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

Frenchy

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Points
3
Location
wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford/ranger
Transmission
Automatic
oh, that's where that was going. well i sure misinterpreted that situation....
40908
 

Frenchy

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Points
3
Location
wisconsin
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford/ranger
Transmission
Automatic
sgtsandman i got a hellwig 983 kit on the way, should have it installed before next weekends trip to the lake. I'll keep everyone posted on the results.
 

4x4prepper

Active Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
507
Reaction score
215
Points
43
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
> With all that being said, ive been planning on purchasing either air assited shocks

I have air shocks on the B2, it makes the ride "squishy". I had air BAGS on my full sized 4x4 and the ride was great and firm. I tend more towards better and heavier springs if given a choice out of the three. Poly bushings can make a difference too.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
sgtsandman i got a hellwig 983 kit on the way, should have it installed before next weekends trip to the lake. I'll keep everyone posted on the results.
And he never returned from the lake....



1586023424_real-camp-crystal-lake.jpg
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
He's in the basement.
 

gw33gp

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,723
Reaction score
527
Points
113
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
33"
My opinion on air assisted shocks is, they may provide the lift you want but are not good quality shocks in general. Using the shock mounts is not good either as mentioned before.

I have use add-a-leaf springs and air bags. My first Ranger had both. I put the add-a-leaf springs on first because I had a heavy shell (Wildernest) on the bed and it sagged a lot. That worked well with the shell on but the ride was very stiff without it. Fortunately, it was on most of the time. I tow a race car and the add-a -leaf springs were not enough for that extra weight. That is when I added the air bags. They made the Ranger much more stable and I could level the Ranger even with 800 lbs of racing gear and shell on the bed while towing.

When I bought my current Ranger, The Wildernest shell got transferred to it and I also transferred the air bags to it. I didn't want to deal with the add-a-leaf springs. I didn't want the stiff ride with an empty bed and got tired of having to deal with the spring clamps that came with the add-a-leaf springs. They were not very strong and with all the off-road trips I take, the add-a-leaf springs kept shifting sideways.

Good luck with your choice. Everybody's needs are different. I just described my experience.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top