Air ride options

[Colt]

When it comes time to replace the air ride, is there a better quality set up from Arnoit, Firestone, etc...

Has anyone set up a controller for the air ride? A way to make it stiff (rasied) for sport driving and soft (lower) for crusing?

[lifespeed]

The spring rate of the Arnott air bags is different from OEM Marauder. I tried both and noticed the difference. Unfortunately the OEM ones are more expensive. I did not like the ride with the Arnott air springs.

You would have to come up with a custom moveable mount point for the height adjuster if you wanted to raise and lower the car on the fly. Anything can be done, but I doubt it would be simple or easy.

[Bruce Wayne]

are the air bags on the Marauder the same as the Grand Marquis ? does any-one know the Motorcraft part number of the air bags. Thanks

[lifespeed]

are the air bags on the Marauder the same as the Grand Marquis ? does any-one know the Motorcraft part number of the air bags. Thanks

No, the Marauder air springs are stiffer.

3U2Z-5580-PA cream top piston, black bottom piston. I seem to recall they list left and right side when you look up the parts, but it is not obvious there is a difference. Might double check this with the Ford parts guy. I bought them from Tasca.

[Colt]

You would have to come up with a custom moveable mount point for the height adjuster if you wanted to raise and lower the car on the fly. Anything can be done, but I doubt it would be simple or easy.

I was thinking a pressure valve set up where you could run like 30 psi around town, and 40 psi for a road course, or 50 psi for the strip.

[PonyGuy]

are the air bags on the Marauder the same as the Grand Marquis ? does any-one know the Motorcraft part number of the air bags. Thanks


I believe the Marauder air bags are the same as those used on the HPP GMQ's and the CVLx Sport, but stiffer than those used on the "regular" air ride GMQ's and CVLx's.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[PonyGuy]

I was thinking a pressure valve set up where you could run like 30 psi around town, and 40 psi for a road course, or 50 psi for the strip.

On an air ride suspension, the air pressure controls the ride height, not the ride stiffness.
Putting maximum pressure in the air bags would simply raise the rear end up to a dizzying height, delivering a "California rake" to the car. I doubt it would help matters at a drag strip...

[Colt]

On an air ride suspension, the air pressure controls the ride height, not the ride stiffness.
Putting maximum pressure in the air bags would simply raise the rear end up to a dizzying height, delivering a "California rake" to the car. I doubt it would help matters at a drag strip...

I would assume it would effect the stiffness, or lack of stiffness in the bags based on air pressure. Ride leveling; being with more weight that lowers the rear, more air is pushed in to raise the rear to keep it level.

Some drag racers will put an airbag in their coil spring to keep the rear as stiff as can be when launching. They dont want the rear squatting, but will take the front lifting. You want a firm suspention, not soft or mushy.

[lifespeed]

Air suspension is not well-used to raise or lower the ride height willy-nilly. The design spring rate is accomplished at the air spring designed ride height. Significant deviation from the design height will alter the spring rate, negating the design parameters of the suspension and shocks. In other words, it won't ride or handle correctly.

Many members here lower the rear 1/2" or so to level the car. This is not a huge change, but does soften the rear slightly. Large changes in ride height will easily put you outside the appropriate spring rate for the car.

[JohnE]

The Marauder uses the spring rate from the Limo Town Car, to stiffen it up. Basically there is a different plastic bell shape under the air bags to accomplish the rate change.

I have tried aftermarket air springs on my Grand Marquis and found the rubber to be thinner than the Firestone OEM units. I spent the extra money on OEM replacements on my Marauder a little while back.