So I became an old man Saturday

[Dsertdog]

Not a grandpa,

Not my dad, although lay claim I have some of his mannerisms. We all become like our Fathers at some time

Nope, I became an old guy Saturday. There have been other symptoms, mostly physical, but I think it's finally coming about

Bored at work, I came across this cool Dodge video of a a '66 Polara convertible.
I'm sure most of you had seen it.


After watching several times, I came upon the thought that the Polara looks really good with the factory rake, which is slightly nose high.

When I brought the car home yesterday, rather than pump the air shocks up, I added enough air to almost level the car. At that moment I felt old, even a bit mature >cough<. I haven't found my leak, so I'm going to redo the entire air line install this spring. I'll likely leave the shocks at 70 psi.
I fear the downward spiral will continue....

 

[Samplingman]

Lol, find myself increasingly annoyed at car ads where the half naked girl stands right in front or sprawled out on the hood. Get off my lawn!

Air shocks are for kids, or those that love to replace front end parts, just saying.

 

[bluefury361]

[QUOTE="Samplingman,
Air shocks are for kids, or those that love to replace front end parts, just saying.[/QUOTE]





Better brush up on your welding skills for when the rear upper shock mount tears out of the frame.
Shocks are not designed to support weight..... That's the springs job.

 

[Old Mike]

I’m already there. Amongst the websites hawking collectible cars, a few insist on having some young babe (usually with a bubble ***) next to the car in some of the pics. And I’m like “yeah that’s nice, but jeez they’re asking too much for that car”. Oldest “child” is 39. Five grandkids and I changed all of their diapers, now the oldest one is driving. Wife is telling me I’ve become a curmudgeon and I’m sure our mail carrier has that impression. All the mail that comes in my name is car stuff, gun stuff, and cigar catalogs. The bottom line? Had a new roof put on the house recently. When the roofer told me it should last 30 years, I realized the roof will probably outlast me, so I fired up a Rocky Patel, poured some Jack and sat out on the deck.

 

[Dsertdog]

[QUOTE="Samplingman,
Air shocks are for kids, or those that love to replace front end parts, just saying.

Better brush up on your welding skills for when the rear upper shock mount tears out of the frame.
Shocks are not designed to support weight..... That's the springs job. [/QUOTE]

In 40 + years of owning Mopars and several with air shocks, I've never destroyed an upper mount. NEVER!
At the same time, I don't want to get in a pointless argument over air shocks.
If you don't like them, don't use them.

The air shocks I installed at a reasonable air pressure certainly ride better than the crappy coil over shocks I replaced

 

[LocuMob]

Better brush up on your welding skills for when the rear upper shock mount tears out of the frame.
Shocks are not designed to support weight..... That's the springs job.

In 40 + years of owning Mopars and several with air shocks, I've never destroyed an upper mount. NEVER!
At the same time, I don't want to get in a pointless argument over air shocks.
If you don't like them, don't use them.

The air shocks I installed at a reasonable air pressure certainly ride better than the crappy coil over shocks I replaced[/QUOTE]
How are the rear springs? I had air shocks in one of my cars, rode fine but when I replaced them, the springs were shot. I learned why they were installed. Now I need new springs! On op of it,I couldn't fine the valve for filling them up til after I took them off, but it didn't matter as the line was pinched anyways. I hope those air shocks aren't a band aid like mine were.

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Ummmm am I correct in that air shocks are a option right from the factory for some towing packages?

If air shocks destroyed the upper mounts the member was probably already gone from rot.

 

[Dsertdog]

I installed them because the coil over shocks rode like a tank and leaked like a sieve.
I wanted a rake and I wanted to control that.
The more I drove the car the more I realized the springs were likely shot and the bushings are toast. They're not broken that I can see but they squeak and rattle like a bad bed frame.
As soon as I get the interior stabilized, I'll order a 2 inch arched set from Eaton, who was the OE supplier. They come with new fasteners and bushings and that's about a grand to my door + install.
I just topped off the tank about 20 minutes ago.
She sets good and the ride is smooth but squeaky.

 

[LocuMob]

I don't think you'll need +2" springs, the stock springs will give you more lift than you think. The way I like to achieve a good rake, is with the tires, bigger in the rear. But, I could be wrong, I had thought about additional arch before I decided on stock ride height.

 

[Dsertdog]

I don't think you'll need +2" springs, the stock springs will give you more lift than you think. The way I like to achieve a good rake, is with the tires, bigger in the rear. But, I could be wrong, I had thought about additional arch before I decided on stock ride height.

My problem is I grew up in the 60's and early 70's. Cars were jacked up to emulate the pro stocks and funny cars of that era. Some guys did the altered wheel bases and tube front axles. The safety wasn't always considered because the look was everything. This was before the "pro street" looks and you'd have been laughed off the strip with a pro touring look.
I wanted the look, but the car IMO isn't worthy. I won't put a dress on a pig.
This weekend I made a mature decision to do a "restorvation" on the convertible. This would involve restoring or replacing the worn and broken parts, while preserving the structure and outward appearance of the car as is, simply for both aesthetics and budget After 53+ years, the rubber noise pads between the leaves are gone and the springs ride against each other, grinding into themselves. So fresh springs with 20-50 lbs in the air shocks would allow the trunk to be filled without letting the car squat. And that's hardly abuse. Coil overs, which were the popular and only method in '66 would place as much as much if not more stress on the mounts.
2 inch springs with minimal air pressure and a loaded trunk would produce a slight rake. with the right rim 275 /60s or minimum 255/60s will fit.

 

[LocuMob]

Stock springs, 275/60/14 tires with 235/60/14 up front.

 

[MacLebaron]

I’m already there. Amongst the websites hawking collectible cars, a few insist on having some young babe (usually with a bubble ***) next to the car in some of the pics. And I’m like “yeah that’s nice, but jeez they’re asking too much for that car”. Oldest “child” is 39. Five grandkids and I changed all of their diapers, now the oldest one is driving. Wife is telling me I’ve become a curmudgeon and I’m sure our mail carrier has that impression. All the mail that comes in my name is car stuff, gun stuff, and cigar catalogs. The bottom line? Had a new roof put on the house recently. When the roofer told me it should last 30 years, I realized the roof will probably outlast me, so I fired up a Rocky Patel, poured some Jack and sat out on the deck.

Good choice in smokes!

 

[65sporty]

From the thread title I thought you had a birthday or something.

 

[LocuMob]

I was wondering what hay he had picked out!