i wanted to upgrade the front shocks and maybe add some airs to the back for some heavy towing that i do 2 or 3 times a year and havent been able to find a coil over or road leveling shock for the front. 1989 4x4. anyone have a source. i pull a boat that weighs about 4000 pounds, and sometimes its thru some off road trails to get to the ponds up in maine. the airs are so that i can lift the truck somewhat to help get it unstuck on the trail, but i want a heavier shock for the front

 

Have you looked into a set of add-a-leafs or possibly helper springs? Air shocks typically ride terribly when you have them pumped up. At least from what I have felt and seen.

They make heavy duty shocks for our trucks which I believe are a little stiffer. Try searching on the internet or asking your local reputable auto parts store. Normally they can at least send you in the right direction.

The springs are what carry the load, not the shocks. The shocks just dampen the irregularities in the road/terrain to try and keep the wheels in contact with the ground. Without them the wheels would bounce violently and you would encounter all sorts of instability. But if you take the springs off your truck and leave the shocks in place, they wouldnt hold it up. Granted on larger trucks and some hardcore off road rigs you will sometimes see two shocks per wheel. That is because they typically have enourmous spring packs or they are anticipating alot of rugged terrain where a single shock wouldnt stand up to the abuse. Well I could type a novel on this subject but I am just trying to point you in the right direction.

hope this helps.

 

i found a place that will custom fit gabriel coilovers for the fronts. 78 dollars for the pair. ive had airs for the rear before, they are fine if you keep the pressure low, just like to jack them up when the truck gets hung up on something underneath. some of the places i fish, you need tow ropes, chainsaws, and jacks boards etc to get to, and being able to lift the truck even an inch or two to clear a boulder, or get the truck off a boulder is all you need. these trucks dont have alot of clearance, but they manuever well to get thru some places ive seen bigger trucks fail to get thru.
https://www.shockshopusa.com/gabriel-shocks.html

 

Thats cool they will hook you up with some coil overs. They work nice. I guess air shocks are an everyones got their own opinion kind of thing. Do what cha does. I had an 89 sport that was 4x4. I loved that truck and indeed it did go everywhere. It had a 3.9 with a 5spd but still managed to pull my buddies full size chevy out of a mudhole crawling in 4 lo. I would love to have another one of those trucks. But one in descent shape is hard to come by around here.

 

A few years ago I replaced all the shocks on my 95 Dakota 4x4 with Monroe’s (the yellow ones) this helped everyday use and towing. Last year I replaced the rears with Monroe Air Shocks. I should have put the air shocks on the rear the first time around. The air shocks work great. I can adjust for what I am doing. I don’t really overload, but being level things just drive better.