I was wondering whether anyone knows of a compatible air shock for the D2.

I just helped put some air shocks on my brother's pickup: took about an hour to do, and they work great.

The D2 we have had the air suspension system, which the first/previous owner converted to a spring suspension.

We are putting in 3rd row seats (I have the seats, but am still looking for all the other stuff -- valence panels, seat belts, floor anchors, headrests, etc.) and planning on doing some towing, so want to lift up what will be a sagging rear-end.

 

Gas shocks yes but air shocks no. Surely ordinary air expands too much when it heats up to be a shock medium and shocks heat up enormously.

 

Air shocks are very common in US for certain applications.

Used on pickup trucks to level them when they have a heavy load or to raise the rear end of a muscle car for performance and effect.

Gabriel is one vendor that makes air shocks:

Gabriel | HiJackers® Shocks

 

Apologies, I stand corrected. In all honesty I've never come across air shocks.

 

I believe there are spiring helpers that you can use air pump on for this purpose that go inside the rear spring. I don't have a link, but unless I am hallucinating remember seeing them in the past.

 

No problem OffRoadFrance.

Air shocks are a uniquely American thing: not particularly elegant, but they work. Like a little hydraulic air lift on each side of the axle. They can either autofill with an onboard pump with a leveling sensor (ala the D2 air suspension) or be filled manually to the desired height/load (what I want).

Removing rear spring looks like a PITA.

Would really love to find a compatible set of air shocks, but all air shocks I've ever seen are eyes top and bottom (as all muscle cars and trucks have this attachment configuration), whereas the D2 rear shocks are a stud on top and eye on bottom, right.

 

Air helper springs are real, so good news you are not hallucinating.
I drove a DI with the Air Lift bags and the ride was !
I would pass, but they looked like this > Air Lift 60818 Air Helper Springs Dodge Ram 1500 2009-2017 (they come in different sizes & loads). OR Firestone > 1990-2004 Land Rover Discovery w/ Rear Coil Springs - Firestone Coil-Rite Air Bag Helper Springs (NO-DRILL) [REAR] [4121] | $106.95 | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts

 

Rear shocks on a DII are eyelet top and bottom. The DI has the eyelet on top and post on the bottom. Look through the Bilstein Catalog for an air shock. Probably not a direct fit but you might find one that would work. Bilstein, Innovation and High Quality Since 1873

If you want to replace the springs it's a very simple job. Have a look >

 

thanks.

call me old fashioned, but really like the air shock idea.

any idea of the compressed and extended length of stock shocks?

Been thru this drill before with my Gen1 Honda Insight: genuine Honda replacement rear shocks were $150 each, someone did the research and found monroe equivalents for $40/pair that only required the insert to be pressed out and a different one fabricated and pressed in.

Was hoping that someone else had done the same detective work for air shocks for D2s, but I may need to be the pioneer.

 

OverRover,can you send me the link to those yellow shocks in your post.

Are they of the "self-leveling" variety?

Thanks.