1979 WS6 - what shock absorbers?

jbplanck

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Time to replace the air shocks that were on my 1979 WS6/W72 Trans Am when I bought it. Was wondering if there was any change from stock shock absorbers with the WS6 handling package? I have the beefed up sway bar verifying the WS6 package.
 
go for either Bilstein or Koni
 
OK, thanks.

What is the "ride height", or the distance the rear end should be above the ground? Is there a measurement from rear bumper to ground I can check? I'm concerned why the air shocks were on the car, maybe the rear springs are worn and previous owner used air shocks to level out?

I ask because with the air shocks my car was riding with about 3" between the top of the rear tire and the lip of the quarter panel outer skin wheel well. With the shocks removed sitting on springs the gap is about 1" at the same location.
 
I assume you cannt ask the previous owner why he had air shocks in the car? The factory shop manuals had that kind of information, height from ground to frame. Other than that does the car seem to be level? The 3" number sounds high, was the car raised in the rear with the air shocks? If your really concerned and it looks like the rear is sagging, replace the rear springs.
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OK, new shocks on, sitting 29 and 1/2 inch from ground to outer lip of rear wheel well through center of tire. This sound about right?
 
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