Back in 1975, when I was considering how to best get the Monaco to be level again, there were few options in "small town America". Getting new springs from Chrysler was generally not done for anything other than the current model year. Getting new springs from a spring shop, which might or night not be accurate for what was needed in my case, from a shop that was at least 30 minutes away, was a big "not sure if I want to do that" situation. Detroit Eaton Spring was doing OEM items and Espo was not learned of until the middle 1990s or so.
By observation, the Load Levelers were not a good alternative, as it didn't seem that the variable-rate helper springs would probably sag over time. I wanted something that would work and that I could control myself. Of course, having a 1 3/8" piston bore (as the air shocks had) matched that of the HD shocks available back then. The Gabriels had a protected air bag, whereas the competition had an espoused air bag. Hurst had one that was completely internal, but it wasn't available. So, the Gabriels were the air shock of choics.
There was no consideration of how load-bearing that u-channel upper shock crossmember might have been, but it seemed plenty stout and was welded to the rear frame rails. It just worked.
For less than $100.00 installed, the air shocks did what I wanted them to do and they lasted very well. The min air pressure was 30psi (probably to keep the air bag in its correct shape) and about 20psi more got it level, with NO increase in ride rate. So, at that time, it made $$$$ and cents, sense to do what I did.
Handling? The rear end felt more planted in turns, almost like it had a rear sway bar, but didn't. The common "rail" of air pressure would resist body lean on one side, but also put more pressure on the inner wheel for better traction and feel. I liked that.
In the landscape we are in now, calling up Eaton Detroit or Espo and telling them what I need would be a better option, no doubt. "Plug 'n' Play". Especially now that spring shops are fewer and more far between, usually concerned more with school busses and such.
Different times, different possible decisions. BTAIM
Enjoy!
CBODY67
