ProRauder gets a 9-inch, Part Deux..

[TooManyFords]

I just got back from H&W SpeedShop to see the progress and it should be done this weekend! Here are the new pictures:

Lower shock mount extended to clear the housing brace, the Wilwood brakes are plumbed and bled.
http://www.cvmusclecars.com/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=266

The driveshaft is modified and mounted.
http://www.cvmusclecars.com/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=267

This shows the modified ride height switch mounted to the custom pan hard bar mount on the center section. To adjust ride height, I just lengthen or shorten the amount of rod in the rubber tube center.
http://www.cvmusclecars.com/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=268

This shows the pan hard bar mounted to the passenger side where the watts link used to be. And it even clears the air bag suspension!
http://www.cvmusclecars.com/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=269

[Pops]

No more pictures John!! It looks good and you know I want it!

[TooManyFords]

You just want the shirt!

:laugh:

[Zack]

I dont like you John :D

[TooManyFords]

Did I mention the axles were gun drilled?

:D

[FordNut]

You're just getting something started, aren't you John...

[Pops]

How are we going to keep up guys! I am going to get the shirt off his back!

[TooManyFords]

You're into the bonus round Brian. ;)

And I was sooooo hoping this was all going to be done by SSHS8....

Just wait till Spring!

:D

[FordNut]

Did I mention the axles were gun drilled?

:D I can't hear you...:tmi:

[TooManyFords]

Tire update:
After a lengthy discussion with Brian Havlik of H&W SpeedShop, we've decided to keep the rear rims and tires just for street duty and will be modifying the rear wheel openings just a tad. I'm getting another set of those Billet Specialties 15x15's but putting the Mickey Thompson 32" slicks on them. Brian will be modifying the frames just a little more to get the extra rubber tucked up there. These will have the rim screws done and bolted in valve stems.

Front End update:
The front axle swap was also discussed. That will just have to wait for pictures because you just will not believe it without them. We also worked out a plan for the 12-point cage, but that will be a February or March mod when it gets closer to Spring.

[Pops]

I hope you do the front axle John as it will be a true Gasser then! That would be as cool as it gets!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[offroadkarter]

That is beyond bad***


Awaiting future nuttyness

[n00bkiller944]

Awesome those tires are HUGE!

[TooManyFords]

Wait till you see the next pair!

:D

[ImpalaSlayer]

32 ins tires? wtf man! thats an inch smaller then on my truck

[TJCOX]

Brings back some memories of not too long ago, when I replaced the
8" with a 9" in my Fairlane. Not an easy task!

Looks great!

[Egon Spengler]

Those Mickey Thompson Sportsmans? What size wide you running? My dad's Nova has 21.5" wide tires... They are impressive looking. Is that what you are running? or 19.5? 18? WHAT!?!?!

[TooManyFords]

Yes, those are Sportsman Pro's 29 x 18.50 x 15's

[Egon Spengler]

very nice... I love the pro street look... looks good on the marauder!

[magindat]

Couple things John and I hope they are of use....

1) That rubber tube ain't gonna hold it's adjusted distance. You'll serve yourself well with a couble crimp hose clamps to tighten up the grip and you might wanna knurl the ends of the rod.

2) You may have a bad ride height sensor and/or ride height/power steering assist computer. After further research into my engine dying issue, it seems my switch was occasionally sending a short through the RH/PS computer. I think it was due to having my axle so high up in the car from my larger tires. Anyways, that may have been what blew up my PCM relay in the first place (I'm sure you remember that thread). I finally gave up and wired the ride height to manual. I can tell ya how, if ya want.

It looks great, I'm jealous! I hope my simple input serves you well!

Rich

[TooManyFords]

Rich, this is very good info.

1. The rubber tube is very tight on there but I understand where you're coming from. Until I can road test it, this looked to be the "outside the box" fix.

2. Now this is very interesting! My PCM finally gave up the ghost a couple months ago and no matter what I tried swapping, it acted up. However, I believe my problems were from a bad ground from relocating the battery to the trunk Until enough corrosion/oxidation occurred on one of the frame to body connections, everything was fine. It all happened after driving through two hours of rain last summer.

Regardless

How did you wire up your ride height to be a manual thing? Did you just wire in DPDT switch to simulate the low/high that the ride height switch might signal?

Also, how is the power steering assist affected by this? I assumed that since I am no longer sending signals or using the PCM, even though it is still physically plugged into the harness, that it was sensing I was not moving or running so it doesn't send any signals to the Power Steering assist.

And that is another mystery... How does the power steering assist work anyway?! I have found that with it disabled (broke), that I did lose the assist but not that it turned it off altogether. It still is easy to park but it is like when doing 60 on the highway. It is there but not enough to overcome the road feel. I'm not looking to hook it back up either, but I did not know there was a separate computer monitoring the Power Steering or the Ride Height.

Looking forward to learning!

John

[magindat]

The ride height and power steering assist are the same box. Behind the glove box. I'll have to re-look up the colors, but there are 3 triggers.

1) negative trigger to compressor relay

2) positive trigger to both bag solenoids

3) positive trigger to relief solenoid.

A DPDT momentary switch goes in with pos on one side and neg on the other. Trigger the 'up' to hit 1 and 2. Trigger negative to hit 2 and 3, then diode isolate the 2's with a big ol honkin 3W diode.

Press and hold for up. press and hold for down. The only thing I think I'll add is a pressure gauge somewhere in the line for a relative pressure vs height reading.

If you're really thinkin on it, I'll look up the colors. It's easy cuz it's all right be hind the glove box.

Leave that module plugged in and just cut the 4 wires needed. The power assist will still work perfect and the air suspension will be manual. You can turn off the switch in the trunk and if you want, cut the signal to the idiot light. It's just one wire, too.

[TooManyFords]

a big ol honkin 3W diode!

HAHAHA! Honkin'! (that word always makes me laugh!)

What this post needs is a wiring diagram to go with it, maybe a couple pictures to show the box and what to cut and a big STICKY in the tech section for everyone else to learn from.

I look forward to a diagram and parts list. It's going in my car next.

Oh, and I'll probably have to figure out how to move the compressor to the trunk or under the back too. Might as well get that weight off the front at the same time.

Thanks Rich!

[magindat]

HAHAHA! Honkin'! (that word always makes me laugh!)

What this post needs is a wiring diagram to go with it, maybe a couple pictures to show the box and what to cut and a big STICKY in the tech section for everyone else to learn from.

I look forward to a diagram and parts list. It's going in my car next.

Oh, and I'll probably have to figure out how to move the compressor to the trunk or under the back too. Might as well get that weight off the front at the same time.

Thanks Rich!

I'll work on that for ya this weekend, John.

[Marauder386]

Ohh yeah, I am interested in this modification ! Watching and learning ...wondering if this is the item I need to replace to get it all working again...I have the glovebox out now and will pull a known good one from other cars...but WTH ... how do I get it out/off that funky bracket ??

:cool4:

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

That is beautiful. That is a REAL rear under this car!!

[Marauder386]

Welll...that didnt solve my ongoing long-term problem...soooo will keep an eye on this thread for mor 4-1-1 to make the switch conversion...


:cool4:

[TooManyFords]

Hey Rich!!!

My builders called me today to say my car was done, but they had a small problem. Seems that Brian broke the upper ride height switch. He ordered another that is due in next Tuesday. Well, I explained your solution and told him to send the switch back and we'll go your route.

So, anytime you can post up the wiring diagram would be good!

I'll be sure to take some awesome burnout videos next Tuesday...

Cheers!

John

[fastblackmerc]

Can't you extend the ride height switch with some threaded rod and connectors?

[TooManyFords]

I could, but Brian told me the upper switch broke. And BTW, they are $50 if anyone else breaks one...

:D

[magindat]

I could, but Brian told me the upper switch broke. And BTW, they are $50 if anyone else breaks one...

:D

I'll get some pics today. It's REAL easy...

[magindat]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49067

This should do it. :D