SAW Air Shocks questions

[Greg]

I think I'm going to make the 16" Swayaway Air Shocks work for my Willys Crawler, but need some info and direction. I've never owned air shocks before!

First off, is there any reason I can't fill my shocks using my CO2 tank and my ARB tire inflator? The ARB inflator has a gauge to check pressure, valve stem chuck, plus a valve to control the flow. I don't see why this wouldn't work.

Second, anyone know where to find the shock mount spacers for these? I believe they take a 1/2" bolt. SAW was bought out by AFE Performance and their customer service is terrible, in my experience. I need all the spacers for 4 shocks, so 16 total. I'm don't think they're different between the 2.0 and 2.5 shocks.

 

[I Lean]

I believe you don't use CO2 because it can contain moisture, where nitrogen will be dry and more stable.

Your ARB inflator likely won't measure anywhere near enough pressure to make it worthwhile. You'll need something like a 300 PSI gauge, and a zero-loss chuck to fill them.

 

[Greg]

I believe you don't use CO2 because it can contain moisture, where nitrogen will be dry and more stable.

Your ARB inflator likely won't measure anywhere near enough pressure to make it worthwhile. You'll need something like a 300 PSI gauge, and a zero-loss chuck to fill them.

That makes sense, thanks! I didn't take into account the amount of pressure required.

 

[Herzog]

I picked up a nitrogen tank and regulator back when I was running airshocks on buggy 1.0. I still have the same tank of nitrogen for the last 14 years (it's one of those medium size tanks)

I've used it to charge the buggy 2.0 coilovers a couple times. It's nice to have one around.

As for the shock spacers, what size do you need? I might have some. I had to pick some wider ones up recently. I can't recall what size I have now but I'll check. The dumb things are pricey, at least the ones I ordered were. Then I noticed that they have the heavy duty spaces at Ace Hardware in the bolt section.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

https://www.polyperformance.com/shocks/shock-parts/fox-shock-parts/fox-2-5-shock-spacer-1-25-1-5

Poly performance has always been my go to for shock parts. Anyways the link is for the high misalignment spacers for 2 1/2 air shocks from fox but they’re pretty universal fit on that. They also carry a 2.0 version that’s not high misalignment. They don’t have them for sway a way on the site but call I bet they can order them if you want brand Specific.

Down south is also a Mecca for shock parts and knowledge.
https://downsouthmotorsports.com

 

[Greg]

I picked up a nitrogen tank and regulator back when I was running airshocks on buggy 1.0. I still have the same tank of nitrogen for the last 14 years (it's one of those medium size tanks)

I've used it to charge the buggy 2.0 coilovers a couple times. It's nice to have one around.

As for the shock spacers, what size do you need? I might have some. I had to pick some wider ones up recently. I can't recall what size I have now but I'll check. The dumb things are pricey, at least the ones I ordered were. Then I noticed that they have the heavy duty spaces at Ace Hardware in the bolt section.

I guess I'll have to do the same, get a nitrogen tank, regulator & gauge. I'm sure I'll be doing some tweaking & tuning of the air shocks over time, so it'll be good to have my own setup.

I've seen the spacers at hardware stores now that you mention it!! The SAW shocks have a 5/8" ID and use a 1/2" bolt, 1 1/2" width.

https://www.polyperformance.com/shocks/shock-parts/fox-shock-parts/fox-2-5-shock-spacer-1-25-1-5

Poly performance has always been my go to for shock parts. Anyways the link is for the high misalignment spacers for 2 1/2 air shocks from fox but they’re pretty universal fit on that. They also carry a 2.0 version that’s not high misalignment. They don’t have them for sway a way on the site but call I bet they can order them if you want brand Specific.

Down south is also a Mecca for shock parts and knowledge.
https://downsouthmotorsports.com

PolyPerformance is where I went first, looking at what they have. I actually emailed them and they're working on finding the right spacer, he's not sure if the spacers for Fox shocks will work, but it sure looks right far as the dimensions & width.

I looked on DownSouth's site and didn't see them, I'll wait till I hear back from Poly before checking elsewhere.


Thanks guys!

 

[Greg]

Oh, looking around for a affordable Nitrogen setup.... I found a 400 PSI regulator, gauge and no-loss chuck for $180 and a steel 20 CF tank for $65. Sounds like I can have a nitrogen fill kit for about $250.

https://www.amazon.com/Nitrogen-Reg...NY/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

https://gascylindersource.com/shop/...rogen-tanks/20-cu-ft-steel-nitrogen-cylinder/

 

[Herzog]

Oh, looking around for a affordable Nitrogen setup.... I found a 400 PSI regulator, gauge and no-loss chuck for $180 and a steel 20 CF tank for $65. Sounds like I can have a nitrogen fill kit for about $250.

https://www.amazon.com/Nitrogen-Reg...NY/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

https://gascylindersource.com/shop/...rogen-tanks/20-cu-ft-steel-nitrogen-cylinder/

I just 'rent' my tank from praxair like my C25... but I've never had to swap the nitrogen tank because it just doesn't get used that much haha.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

Butch’s speed shop in Vegas is another good source for that stuff. I had a set a radflow airshocks And I use the fox High misalignment spacers for them without issue.

 

[drtsqrl]

Sway-Away uses 5/8 to 1/2" high-misalignment type bushings, and Fox 2.0's use straight 1/2" spacers. You should be able to get the S-A-W bushings from AccuTune. RuffStuff also has 5/8 to 1/2 bushings, but I'm not sure if they will work correctly in the S-A-W shocks.

 

[Greg]

Sway-Away uses 5/8 to 1/2" high-misalignment type bushings, and Fox 2.0's use straight 1/2" spacers. You should be able to get the S-A-W bushings from AccuTune. RuffStuff also has 5/8 to 1/2 bushings, but I'm not sure if they will work correctly in the S-A-W shocks.

Good to know, thanks Jeff!

 

[Gravy]

Regarding nitrogen. I have need to fill a Moto shock I'm rebuilding with 150psi. Can I pay any of you guys to help me?

 

[Herzog]

Regarding nitrogen. I have need to fill a Moto shock I'm rebuilding with 150psi. Can I pay any of you guys to help me?

If you find yourself near Kamas I'll fill it for no cost

 

[Gawynz]

I shopped around for an affordable nitrogen fill setup for a while and eventually ended up just assembling one from Amazon piece parts. I wanted something like the ORI Single Fill Nitrogen Charge Kit (below) but they want $250 for it and you still have to get a tank and regulator.



I was able to assemble an ugly step cousin version (below) of the same tool, as well as buy a regulator and nitrogen tank for ~$270 (I could have gone a little cheaper on a few of the parts and/or eliminated a few nice to haves to make it cheaper). The no loss chuck makes a huge difference. One thing I like about the ORI type design that I copied is the ability to easily close off the pressure source from the tank and bleed nitrogen from the shock in the case you slightly over pressurize (I think it's a lot easier to dial in exact pressures this way). The single hand held gauge that I chose is glycerin filled and only goes up to 300psi (which is plenty for any of my applications) so it's got good resolution. The option you linked @Greg is a slightly cheaper though. In the end was it worth it? ...I don't know, but that's what I did.