1969 Air Shocks

[abiddle]

I'm assuming this was for an air shock system. Does anyone know what the "period correct" air shock system would be for a 69 SS350? Pics if they are helpful.

Thanks - Andy

[ss jim]

Andy,
In 1971 I used Monroe air shocks on my 69 SS350. I would imagine they were available in 1969 also. I still have the snubber that needed to be trimmed to use them. Delco also made air shocks.
Jim

[69Z28-RS]

I'm assuming this was for an air shock system. Does anyone know what the "period correct" air shock system would be for a 69 SS350? Pics if they are helpful.

Thanks - Andy

If air shocks were on the GM car from the factory, I believe they used Delco air shocks (el caminos maybe?)..  A very common air shock used on street cards (street rods) for added stiffness in the rear during the late sixties/early seventies was the Gabriel 'HiJacker'...  a big fat air shock! 

[HawkX66]

These are going on mine. They're made in 1982. I've had them for a few years. They look very similar to what I pulled off it and those were put on in the early eighties. They had seen better days... I don't know how I'm going to mount the Schrader valve yet. I'd rather not drill any extra holes. I have a couple ideas, we'll see. I don't think air shocks have changed much aesthetically. Like Jim mentioned, the instructions call for trimming the snubber, but mine never needed to be. Hopefully I can get away without having to. Mine are original so I'd have to throw an a/m one on to trim.

[ss jim]

Dave,
I had individual Schrader valves mounted in place of the license plate bumpers.
Jim

[HawkX66]

Dave,
I had individual Schrader valves mounted in place of the license plate bumpers.
Jim

I like that idea. I'll take a look. I was thinking about having them tucked up under the frame rails close to the shock so I wouldn't have to run the hoses far. I figure you only need to get to the valve once in a great while if you install them right. I might make a little bracket that I can mount under an existing bolt or something. Thanks for the suggestion though, I might end up going that route instead. I don't mean to derail your thread OP. Hopefully our posts add to your ideas also!

[69Z28-RS]

Dave,
I had individual Schrader valves mounted in place of the license plate bumpers.
Jim

I like that idea. I'll take a look. I was thinking about having them tucked up under the frame rails close to the shock so I wouldn't have to run the hoses far. I figure you only need to get to the valve once in a great while if you install them right. I might make a little bracket that I can mount under an existing bolt or something. Thanks for the suggestion though, I might end up going that route instead. I don't mean to derail your thread OP. Hopefully our posts add to your ideas also!

Under the tag was a very common place to place the Schrader valve back in the day (and probably today also for those who use them).  It's an easy place to get to when you need to check/fill them, but also hidden.  Jim's idea of replacing the bumpers even avoids having to drill a new hole.   On my '56 Nomad, I hid the valve in the area with the gas filler, under the tail lamp...

[HawkX66]

Dave,
I had individual Schrader valves mounted in place of the license plate bumpers.
Jim

I like that idea. I'll take a look. I was thinking about having them tucked up under the frame rails close to the shock so I wouldn't have to run the hoses far. I figure you only need to get to the valve once in a great while if you install them right. I might make a little bracket that I can mount under an existing bolt or something. Thanks for the suggestion though, I might end up going that route instead. I don't mean to derail your thread OP. Hopefully our posts add to your ideas also!

Under the tag was a very common place to place the Schrader valve back in the day (and probably today also for those who use them).  It's an easy place to get to when you need to check/fill them, but also hidden.  Jim's idea of replacing the bumpers even avoids having to drill a new hole.   On my '56 Nomad, I hid the valve in the area with the gas filler, under the tail lamp...

I used to see them a lot under the license plate also, but replacing the bumpers was new to me. I like it. Mine were drilled through the trunk on both sides under the hinge, but closer to the seam with the drop offs.

[abiddle]

I'm still trying to figure out which kit this valve belongs to. I've looked at a bunch of pictures but haven't identified it yet. I would like to do it the same way, in the trunk and the hole is already drilled.

Oh and when you guys put the valves in place of the license plate bumpers please think of me, I'm missing those bumpers and could use a pair...

Thanks - Andy

[69Z28-RS]

The Gabriel Hi-Jackers were by far the most common Air Shocks used on performance cars in the late sixties/early 70's.. I can't recall seeing around that time frame anything but Hi Jackers!   The original ones were fat and white and had the aggressive 'Hi Jacker' logo sticker on them.. ( had a pair on my '53 Henry J gasser in 1971-2 timeframe.)  I believe they were the first Air Shocks available...

Currently new Gabriels seem to be black.  I did notice that the Gabriels have a much wider range of air pressure (25 to 200) than most.  Use dual schraders and you can even preload one side of the other to even up your starting line traction!     

[ko-lek-tor]

Back in another time when I was actively buying parts for my car the first time, I bought a set (4) of shocks for the Camaro. Hi-Jackers for the rear & 90-10's for the front. Still in their boxes along with a few other used sets of air shocks for a Camaro out on a shelf in the shop. Pics anyone?

[69Z28-RS]

Are the HiJackers white like the originals?  or ??  I'd love to see a pix of the white ones with hi Jacker logo *G*

[abiddle]

I would like to see the pics please. I pulled the old lines out and under the dirt I found this tag. Which looks like a Gabriel red tag 25 to 200max, except only 150 max.

[ss jim]

My Monroe's had a tag similar to the one shown. I may still have it. I just found the tiny o-rings for the air lines and the small air line clips for mounting the line  to the frame.
Jim

[Camarocards]

You guys wanted pics...here they are! I removed these from my car about two years ago when I started my restoration. They were on the car when I bought it in 1978. Yes, the valve was mounted under the license plate.  Believe it or not they still worked perfectly after 35 years when I took them out!

Bob

[ko-lek-tor]

Been at a car show all weekend. but promised some pics 5 posts back.  pics of hijacker and box,couple of 90/10 box (have them new as well) & a used set of TRWs on a rear end sitting around.. Those shock pics Bob posted look like 90-10s IMO.

[Camarocards]

James,

Yes. You are correct. Those were 90/10's that were taken off the front. I'll have to dig through my stash to see if I kept the Hijacker rear shocks.

Bob

[abiddle]

Nice shock box! I assume they aren't for sale. Do they have the hose and the tag? Is the tag red or blue?

I'll trade you an NOS tissue box for your air shocks. 

[HawkX66]

Been at a car show all weekend. but promised some pics 5 posts back.  pics of hijacker and box,couple of 90/10 box (have them new as well) & a used set of TRWs on a rear end sitting around.. Those shock pics Bob posted look like 90-10s IMO.

Nice looking shocks Bentley. Can you measure them mount to mount for me and PM the measurement? They look like the same length as mine, but I tried to install mine yesterday and it looks like they're too short and the lower mount has a metal sleeve insert that would need to come out to fit over the stock studs. Maybe it is supposed to come out?
 Something to think about abiddle is the length of the shock when you're looking for them. I thought mine were a done deal, but now I'm not so sure.

[JackalsZ]

My 1968 Z/28 has a sticker in the trunk that says " Delco Pleasure Ride shocks". it is on the right side trunk support brace.

[HawkX66]

My 1968 Z/28 has a sticker in the trunk that says " Delco Pleasure Ride shocks". it is on the right side trunk support brace.

Dealer install or OTC purchase. Air shocks didn't come on 1st gens from the factory.