Converting to Suncore passive coil/shock rear suspension, anyone try it?

[96fleetwood]

Yesterday I made the mistake of taking a shortcut back to work after lunch. This shortcut was on the destroyed Ogden Ave in Westmont, IL. There are sewer covers that stick up 3-5 inches from the road. I missed several but hit one with the right rear tire. After this, my air suspension light came on and the car is riding extremely low in the rear.

The compressor no longer kicks on and it feels bouncy back there.

Has anyone converted the rear suspension to a passive system?

I found this setup from Suncore yesterday:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Grand-Marquis-Rear-Suspension-Conversion-W-Shocks-03-08_W0QQitemZ310132414639QQcmdZ ViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_ Parts_Accessories?hash=item483 55518af&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

Would I need anything else to get rid of the air suspension?

On my Fleetwood, I just removed the air compressor and pulled the fuse for the system to get rid of the idiot light.

Thanks for any help!

Regards,
Elias

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

As much as I dislike the airbags, having a car with this big of a trunk, makes the air leveling really necessary IMHO on that occasion when you decide to put something really heavy, that far behind the rear wheels.

If you need just an extra airbag to get back on the road, I have a spare one with about 25k miles on it from an 03, with an extra good solenoid. I'd give it to you cheap cheap

Just a thought. Also I would have that wheel checked for straightness. Our wheels are extremely strong and I don't think I've ever hear of one getting bent but to have hit something that hard, could certainly do it.

Steve

[96fleetwood]

Good call on checking the wheel. I didn't drive the car again after I got back to work, it will be sitting in the parking garage there till I can decide what to do.

I think deleting the rear air suspension in my Fleetwood was one of the best mods. With the Bilsteins HDs I have in the back, it doesn't sag even with rear passengers.

[96fleetwood]

What about putting 2003-2006 P71 rear coil springs & shocks?

[96fleetwood]

TTT !

Any other suggestions/advice before I take the plunge and put a passive coil/shock system in the rear of the Marauder?

Thanks,
Elias

[Egon Spengler]

When I put the weight in my trunk in the winter... I LOVE the fact that the stance is maintained!!! And when I have a car load of people too!

[offroadkarter]

Dont do it... Vics is right. My friends 06 CVLX will ride really low in the rear if he has any passengers in the back seat, the air bags are a huge help for a car this big and heavy...


Just fix the air suspension system, something may have gotten knocked loose

[FordNut]

Dont do it... Vics is right. My friends 06 CVLX will ride really low in the rear if he has any passengers in the back seat, the air bags are a huge help for a car this big and heavy...


Just fix the air suspension system, something may have gotten knocked loose

Maybe the linkage for the sensor got knocked loose from the watts link?

[justbob]

You have a PM.

[ImpalaSlayer]

id go look at the ride height sensor. i belive this has happened to others

[cougar9150]

I had bent a rim on my first car, I hit a drainage grate on a road being repaved. This sounds like the ride height sensor issue to me.

[offroadkarter]

Maybe the linkage for the sensor got knocked loose from the watts link?


He doesnt have rear air, he has coils in the rear....


Would their still be a sensor? I'm assuming your talking the ride height sensor which i'd think no their wouldnt be with a rear coil setup

[FordNut]

Maybe the linkage for the sensor got knocked loose from the watts link?


He doesnt have rear air, he has coils in the rear....


Would their still be a sensor? I'm assuming your talking the ride height sensor which i'd think no their wouldnt be with a rear coil setup

He hasn't converted yet, I was suggesting how to fix his current problem instead of converting...

[96fleetwood]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/leloz/Image152.jpg


That is what it looked like with the Suncore passive setup (listed for GM and CV). Very straightforward installation and it rides even better than with the factory air system!

I highly recommend their kit.

[lifespeed]

For the ultimate ride and handling coils will be superior to airbags. Airbags can't help but have a "rising rate" due to the way they work. But airbags are very nice for variable loads.

The ultimate compromise is to run coils with 'helper' airbags inside. The trick here would be to adjust your ride height sensor to leave the airbags with minimum air (2 - 3 psi) to prevent them from wearing, but to level the car when the rear springs are compressed by load.

The only snag is I suspect the factory system is not meant to operate at minimum air pressure of 2 - 3 pounds, like the 'helper' systems are. I suspect you would need to insert an aftermarket controller between the ride height switch and the factory compressor. Or replace it entirely.

Not simple, but the best of both worlds. I did this on my Crown Vic and it worked great, albeit with manual ride height control.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

The high trim level H body GM's (Lesabre, olds cutlass supreme) and the caddy devilles, in the 90s, used rear coils with helper small air bags built into the struts, that were a low pressure setup.

I bet the car rides less bouncy in the rear with coils huh? I have been tempted in the past because I don't like the unbalanced feel front to rear of front coils, rear air bags, but I would be too afraid of the car looking like it's draggin' butt when I do on occasion carry rear seat passengers, luggage, cement shoes, whaaat?