Monroe MA700 Max-Air vs. Monroe Sensa-Trac Coilovers

[Prafeston]

I'm considering one of these two setups to boost the rear a bit. Was just curious if anyone had any insight into either option. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of reviews out there.

What are the pros and cons for each system?

Monroe MA700 Max-Air Air Shocks
http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-MA700-Max-Air-Shock-Absorber/dp/B000C55SZK

Monroe 58510 Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting Shocks
http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-58510-Sensa-Trac-Adjusting-Absorber/dp/B000C59M5M

Thanks!

[eaglefreek]

I installed the coil overs on mine and it didn't lift the rear as much as I wanted. The air shocks will let you adjust the height.

[vangremlin]

I installed the coil overs on mine also.  I think they raised it 1" to an 1-1/4".  I definitely need some new leaf springs.

[Prafeston]

I definitely need some new leaf springs.

That was my train of thought with the coilovers...I figured if they don't lift it as much as I wanted I could get an add-a-leaf or try to find some leafs off an XJ from a yard.

[carnuck]

Leaves are better

[vangremlin]

That was my train of thought with the coilovers...I figured if they don't lift it as much as I wanted I could get an add-a-leaf or try to find some leafs off an XJ from a yard.

I'm going to go for some brand new leaf springs.  I'm going to have this car for a long time, I don't want put on something that's almost as tired as what's on there.

[Pat]

In the "For what it's worth dept.", mine has helper springs on the rear. It is lifted by them, but rides rough.

[Alcology]

Air shocks are bit rougher ride too. 

[Bird-o-Prey]

I installed the Sensa Trac coil overs in the front and back on my 84.  I don't believe that the coil overs are going to do much in the way of lift for the car.  Certainly nothing more than any new shock would give over tired old ones.  The coils come into play more when there is a heavier load in the car.  My old shocks would bottom out coming out of the driveway.  Since installing the Sensa Tracs, I have had over 1200lbs of scrap steel plus me in the car on trips to the recyclers.  The brakes are a might bit soft, but the new shocks with the coil over definitely boosted the total carrying capacity of the car.  With just me in the car the ride is a bit more bouncy (like a pick up truck).  Here is a pick of the coil overs in the front.


This is a close up of how I had to mount them to the control arm.  The hole spacing on the shock is a match for the hole spacing on the control arm.  I used 3/8" x 3 1/2" grade 8 bolts and flat steel body washers to take up the space.  I left a 1/4" gap below the shock and the control arm and I used the stock rubber washers as well.

[Bird-o-Prey]

Stoopid Kompuuters!!!  Here are a couple of the pics I was trying for in the last post.



These are the back installed (from under the car).  The backs went in in about 1/2 hour.  The fronts took a couple of hours with tire removal and farting around and tire replacement.


I really can't comment on the air shocks, but I have heard good and bad about them.  No personal experience with them.

Cheers

[captspillane]

Wow that's a great idea with the coilovers in the front. I like that alot. Its well worth eggs from me, thanks!

It looks like an XJ rear shock to have the right top and bottom on it. Do you remember which shock you used?

[carnuck]

The only problem with it is (and many people don't understand this) shocks are NOT for carrying loads (although the coil would make it seem like it is) but for returning vehicles to original ride height. It puts greater stress on the mounting points (the upper in the front and back tend to punch through after many heavy loads and rough roads and the studs on the bottom in the back will shear off) Been there, done that. Ruined perfectly good cars doing it.

[BenM]

I did an add-a-leaf on the Eagle after new springs didn't give me back ride height. If I were to do it again, I'd have gotten a Cherokee pack and rebuilt the old spring pack. It's still low in the back.

[standup650]

I ran air shocks on a old s-10 i had they were great if you put a load in it and you filled them up to bring it back to level. when i gave them more air to lift it with out anything in the back they were stiff! bad stiff! and if i was ever to use them again i would go all out and get the self leaveling kit. it's a pain in the  to adjust them all the time and they are no good if the pressure isn't right.

[bigdog56e]

I used he air shocks on two Eagles, well satisified with them. I bought  a smallcompressor to air up tires, think I will mount it under the hood, plumb it to the air line on the shocks with a check valve in it.
                                                                                                        Eddie