[66 Wagon]

I have some questions about the Superlift Shock Absorber option.



I have this valve on my car, located above the license plate in the rear bumper. Someone sometime did have
air shocks installed but I don't know if it was the Superlift option or if it was some previous owner who added them.



What would've been the air valve location on a car equipped with Superlift and what
would've been the proper place to put the "This car is eqipped with" decal I've seen?

Feel free to reply with any experience or opinions about Superlift and/or air shocks.
I've just bought a set of Gabriels for my wagon and just wants to know what other think about them.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Since this option was offered as a Factory and/or Dealer installed option I would venture a safe assumption that the fill valve would/could be located just about anywhere.
I have mine on the bottom of the bumper below the Licc Plate.
Below is an oem set up in a '67 GTO which was set up within the trunk.

PHS is the 1st place to possibly confirm this option (If Factory), the PSI spec decals used are sometimes found in the trunk/cargo area/underside of Deck-lid.

Another tell tail is that the oem hose fittings were brass and somewhat trumpet/cones shaped.
One other item found on A-Body equipped cars was an offset lower mounting plate.
(Don't know if these were used on B-Body)
these changes the angle of the shocks lower mount point.

[Deadhead]

I like that location pictured. My Hi-Jackers have an offset bracket that is under the bumper with labeled R&L valves. On a wagon, this is actually better than a single valve b/c the tank is on one side, & you can compensate for that w/ them. Mine leak down over time. Both sets I have have done this. Like them OK. Have used them in a '69 Concourse wagon to haul HUGE loads of lumber to and from deck jobs. They ARE functional.

[Alf ista]

I have this on my car. It is under the car just behind the rear license plate. I assume it is not original, the hoses are just thin clear tubing. I have to top it up from time to time. Can anyone let me know what the expected psi would be on the system?
Hugh.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Regarding Leak-down;
I've had this issue once in the past and found a few things to check while trouble shooting.
First thing obviously to check is the age of your shocks.
The rubber can and will split/crack if not maintained. This can be done easily by jacking up the rear of the car with wheels off the ground.
Air up the shocks to expose as much of the rubber as possible without blowing out the shock
Then apply any suitable rubber conditioner.
My Super Lift shocks have been in service for years with no issues.
Another area that causes leak issues are the lines.
I have found in some cases where the line was cut on a slight angle thus not allowing for proper seating.
Also found some that had very small splits that extended just enough to prevent the rubber o-rind from sealing.
If you have enough slack both the above items can be corrected with a slight trim of the line.
In some cases adding a second o-ring can help this as well.

Maintaining proper PSI is key to long life and excellent ride characteristics.
To much gives a stiff ride and can cause premature failure.
To little causes a floating effect of chassis and poor driving characteristics.
Air shocks should never be used to correct ride height.
Your suspension should be in good order for air "assist" shocks or any shocks for that matter to work properly.
Worn bushings/Springs can't be compensated with by just adding air

There are a whole batch of "experts" that will jump up and down about air shocks are not good and should not be used.
This is why the factory offered them and they are still used today

Below is a Re-pop decal but the PSI spec is very good to use as a guide.

[66 Wagon]

Thanks a lot for the information guys. Much appriciated. I will use my air shocks with pride and I will take good care for them.
I use my wagon both to haul heavy things as well as people in the third seat, and sometimes I need to adjust the ride height.

[stevep]

When I got my 66 Bonneville wagon, the valve was already installed lower rear license plate hole. You just have to open up the hole in the license plate a bit.

[Alf ista]

Thanks for the info. I know what psi to aim for now. Will also check the pipe runs etc and check for leaks.

[blubomber]

later, Maybe '67 or '68 but certainly by '69 this feature was expanded to offer Automatic ride leveler. The only difference is that instead of adjusting the air pressure manually with a valve mounted by the license plate instead it used an engine operated vacuum pump mounted on the radiator support to the right of the radiator. The air line connected to a valve distribution unit with an arm connected to the rear trailing arm. When the car sank low due to a heavy load the connecting arm opened the valve letting air be pumped into the shocks raising the car. When it reached the right height the arm closed off the valve. This feature was std on Bonneville Broughams and Grand Prix SJ's in '69. It was probably popular on wagons as well.

[Jeff Hamlin]

IIRC it was 1967.
This is one accessory/option that I have never seen in a car.

[Rapdron]

Jeff
I am constantly amazed at the amount of parts you have collected !

[blubomber]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

IIRC it was 1967.
This is one accessory/option that I have never seen in a car.

Jeff,

What exactly is that option, what was it used for, who offered it and when. I have never seen it in Pontiac catalogs from the 60's.

Brad

[Jeff Hamlin]

As best I can figure out it was a Dealer only add on.
I haven't researched it in depth, but it can be seen in the '67 Acc Cat.
I do not believe this was offered on the A-Body, but I have learned long ago with Pontiac, Never say Never.

(Automatic Level Control)



Like the shock kit I'm sure there where several variations

[blubomber]

now that is very interesting. "Pleasure Lift." This is different than the "Automatic Level Control" pictured in illustration g. I've never seen "Pleasure Lift" before. The ALC was std on '69 GP SJ's and possibly Bonneville Broughams. I acquired a complete setup for my former Bonneville. Very kewl system. Used a control valve mounted to the body with an arm connected to the rear control arm. When the car got loaded down the arm pushed the control valve to the open position allowing air from the pump to be forced into the air shocks. When the car returned to level the valve was closed off. Pleasure lifts looks like a variant on that but allows the driver to control the amount of air in the shocks by the dial.