Wowsers! My air shocks arrived this morning and I got free shipping!
Here's a quick install...I still have the air lines to run and find a place to mount the fill valve at. I cleaned up my silicone boots from my old shocks and just flopped them on top of the air shock to give some sort of protection to the air shock shaft. I will also be picking up some Nylock nuts fer the shock retaining bolts, too. I did have to lower the upper connecting point about 2.5" as the air shocks were shorter than the gas shocks.
After carefully studying my photos of the bearing and races, I found some pitted areas where water had rusted and pitted the surface of some of the tapered bearings and one of the races. So I picked up new bearings/races (A14 kit) and ordered new seals from O'reilly's Auto Parts since they were close. Seals should be here in the morning. I still have to pack the new bearings with new grease and git new cotter pins.
After I punched the old races out, I converted one of the races so I could use it to install the new races. I had to cut a gap into the old race so it would compress (similar to a piston ring) and I would be able to remove my "race install tool" easily. A few taps with a 2x4 scrap to set the new race in, I centered the "race install tool" on top, and tapped the new race all the way into the hub.
I can't wait to try this setup out...