As mentioned earlier, no active suspension is perfect. Hydraulics do have some problems, but they get an undeserved bad rap. One of the disadvantages of hydros is leaking oil, which can normally be avoided when the system is plumbed right the first time. As for power supply, depending on your switch-happy trigger, you can usually use your batteries for about a week before having them charged. There are manufacturers like Power Master that just launched their 12- and 16-volt sealed batteries, which will give you the same punch with less batteries as they're set for cranking power, which is what most of us use with hydraulics.
If you don't use the right combination of springs, your car can get really stiff and bouncy, but that can be corrected by using the right set of coils for the weight. This is usually an action that's done to cars whose owners just want to "lock and lay," meaning that they just want the car to get over the speed bump.
Whether you're sporting airbags or hydraulics or the right lowering setup for your ride, you'll tend to catch that attention when cruising a lowered vehicle. If you get caught driving a vehicle with a lowered suspension, be ready to be clowned on by some switch-happy fool who will hit switches on anything. Why? Because he read about it last year in our annual Suspension Guide. Maybe you should have read our Suspension Guide, too. Now take a look at some of the industry's latest products and find out what's hot in today's market. Don't get caught slippin'; just swing what you're in.
 AH-2 Hydraulics has several...  AH-2 Hydraulics has several accessories to dress up your hydraulics. From whammy tanks to fill plugs, these accessories will add the finishing touches to any setup. |  Black Magic's telescopic shafts...  Black Magic's telescopic shafts will keep your driveshaft in place and allow it to adjust without binding your suspension. |  AH-2 Hydraulics has cylinders...  AH-2 Hydraulics has cylinders for most of your needs, including 4- and 6-inch models. These are ideal for the guys with the classic bombs as well as the guys who don't have the room to fit an 8-inch "stroke" in their engine compartment. |
 McGaughy's upper A-frames...  McGaughy's upper A-frames have five degrees of positive caster built in to allow for easier alignment and better front end geometry. The upper and lower A-frames both come powdercoated black with four brand new bushings. The tubular A-frames improve driving quality, steering and alignment, not to mention they look a lot cleaner than the stock ones. |  MIC's complete front/back...  MIC's complete front/back air suspension kits for '59-'64 Chevy Impala models come with four Firestone 2,500-pound air springs, front and rear bag cups, 400-psi valves, two 5-gallon air tanks, two chrome air compressors, four gauges and clear terminal switchbox. |  Black Magic's '58-'64 reinforced...  Black Magic's '58-'64 reinforced chrome coil-over trailing arms are turnkey for any car owner with hydraulics who wants to upgrade the suspension. |
 The GO EZ airbag kit will...  The GO EZ airbag kit will get you moving without sacrificing comfort, as these fast valves setups will get your car or truck to sport its moves. |  CCE Hydraulics' street cylinders...  CCE Hydraulics' street cylinders are available in sizes from 4- to 16-inch. The cylinders feature 1-inch steel shafts with double O-ringed billet plungers and brass guide bushings. These cylinders are also available in chrome. |  Red's has all of the accessories...  Red's has all of the accessories to dress up your hydraulics, from motor end caps to tank plugs. |
 Hydraulics have always had...  Hydraulics have always had a bad rap for a stiff ride. Well, what people don't know is that you can add a set of accumulators to your hydraulics line and it will give you a smooth ride. AH-2 Hydraulics' accumulators are offered in a regular or chrome-plated finish. | bounce_coils.jpg) Black Magic's line of More... bounce_coils.jpg) Black Magic's line of More Bounce coils will keep you bouncing your street ride or serious competitor. |  AH-2 Hydraulics designed a...  AH-2 Hydraulics designed a whammy setup so it was natural for them to also launch a single-pump square pump. This will allow you to build a hydro setup with less restrictions. |
 Now available for the first...  Now available for the first time from Performance On Line, geometrically improved tubular upper control arm for '65-'70 Chevy Impala/Biscayne/Bel Air cars. These control arms are the key to fine tuning your suspension and offer increased caster for high-speed stability. Made from DOM tubing, the arms also help with the camber angle problems often found when running drop spindles or coil springs. |  CCE's redesigned deep coil-over...  CCE's redesigned deep coil-over cups will allow you to add more coil to your ride as well as keep the coil in place and not sliding around and making unwanted noise when driving. |  HiJacker's 1-2 inch ported...  HiJacker's 1-2 inch ported ProJacker block will produce up to 1,200 psi. |
 Black Magic's all-chrome four-pump...  Black Magic's all-chrome four-pump setup will produce enough power to get you off the ground as well as get you respect on the show floor. |  CCE Hydraulics Fat Boy pumps...  CCE Hydraulics Fat Boy pumps are as fat as they come and are made for competition or show depending on your needs. |  Pro Hopper's new Pro-X hydraulics...  Pro Hopper's new Pro-X hydraulics kit consists of Saco motors, Italian dumps, #8 gears, Accurate solenoids, tank backing plates, high pressure #6 hoses, 8- and 10-inch cylinders, quick disconnect and a 10-switch control box for all functions, even three-wheel on both sides. |