Relacing an air ride sytem on my 64 Riv

[Guest pesessions]

I just bought a 64 Riv with a air ride system and I hate it. I'd like to go back to shocks and springs. I was thinking about putting on the 65 Gran Sport spec shocks and springs, will that work? Where would I get the right shocks and springs? BTW, the car has 18" wheels on it.

Thanks

Pat

[RivNut]

The Gran Sport option did not include springs and shocks. That was a separate option - H2. Search though the archives for other similar threads to see what others have done. I know a lot of guys have gone with a Jamco lowering kit. Coil Spring Specialties, in KS, has custom made a lot of springs for guys. Once you know what your suspension travel limitts are, you can look in the parts books from the shock manufacturers so see what length you'll need and what types of mounts you'll need on the tops and bottoms.

Ed

[pyntre]

What Air system is on the car....I might be interested in some of the componenets .....post a pic of your car if you can ..what is it you dislike about the system?

[mt65riv]

Gotta be careful before you take anything out. The air-ride systems sometimes require a lot of cutting of spring pockets and lower a-arms in front. The rears may have plates welded onto the stock spring locations.

I'd check it out or have it checked out before you go to the next steps of removing all the air pieces.

What is wrong with the air system? If it's leaking or something simple like that you may just need to replace some lines and you're good.

Good luck.

Mike

[steelman]

On mine, I only had to do some minor trimming around the front spring pocket. Original type spring should go right back in place without an issue. If these were Shock Waves, these bolt in place of the stock shock absorber to the lower A Arms. If this is just a front bag, the shock may have been moved to the outside of the arm. Rear was just an R&R, no welding was required, but don't know how old his system is. Unlike hydraulics, bags are for the most part R&R to stock springs, so shouldn't be too much trouble going back the other way. Sorry you don't like your system. I really like mine. Post some pics. And as asked before, what don't you like?

[Guest Timmy p]

I just bought a 63 riviera and would like to put bags on it, so if you do switch to springs and want to sell the air ride let me know.

Thanks, Tim

[Guest slacker1965]

I just bought a 64 Riv with a air ride system and I hate it. I'd like to go back to shocks and springs. I was thinking about putting on the 65 Gran Sport spec shocks and springs, will that work? Where would I get the right shocks and springs? BTW, the car has 18" wheels on it.

Thanks

Pat

I have a '65 parts car that I will be happy to trade/sell you suspension parts off of if they butchered the originals up for airride....I also have a set of new stock shocks....depending on the desired ride height & stiffness, I have had good results cutting down stock components a bit(1-2" lower than stock) aftermarket springs/shocks are the way to go if you wanna lower it 3" or so fm stock. I personally do not like the down in rear attitude & like the car to be sprung a bit firmer than stock, but that is my personal preference.