subject: Shock, Rattle And Roll [print this page] Natives of southern California are used to the occasional shake, rattle and roll of earthquakes. In fact, most people dont even miss a beat in their conversation for a tremor that registers less than 4.0 an occurrence that sends those in most of the other 49 states scurrying into the nearest doorway. It just goes to show: you can get used to almost anything. So it really comes as no surprise when people in every state of the union seem to let their shocks erode to a point where they provide almost no buffer at all.
Your vehicles suspension system supports the weight of the car (plus any passengers or cargo) while allowing the tires and wheels to move up and down to minimize impact from cracks, dips, bumps and any other imperfections in the road. In addition, your suspension prevents excessive body squat and dive during acceleration and braking. That may not sound like much, but its actually a pretty big job, and one that stock components are rarely able to achieve effectively. Thats why its a smart move to upgrade your suspension system with performance-grade shock absorbers, like air shocks.
Air shocks are powered by an engine-driven or electric air compressor that produces pressurized air and uses it to replace conventional steel springs. An air suspension softens the contact between the axle and the frame to reduce bottoming out, providing between 500 - 5,000 lbs of load-leveling capacity.
Most air suspension kits come complete with everything required to effectively upgrade your suspension system, including the air compressor, manifold, wiring harness and control box. Plus, many air suspension systems can be controlled via a wireless remote right from your cockpit. This makes adjusting your air shocks simple with just the push of a button. In addition, the wireless design means you wont have a network of wires running through your cab. Many systems even provide a setting for user-defined memory, allowing you to quickly switch between your most frequently used settings and control the air springs independently of one another, ideal for those whove incorporated a lift kit into their vehicle.
When you modify the height of your rig with a truck lift kit, you should definitely consider enhancing your suspension system. A truck lift kit raises the center of gravity and can easily overload factory shocks. Air suspension provides a noticeably smoother ride and even self-leveling in some cases, allowing the user to adjust each wheel's air pressure individually and tilt the vehicle side-to-side or front-to-back. In addition, many air suspension systems feature advanced diagnostics to provide complete control over the suspension system.
