eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,496
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Hi all,
I have absolutely no experience with airt suspension systems like airride etc. But, I soooooo love it when my Granada coupe is high up on it's rear wheels. It just looks so right... So with that in mind I would like to find out how to do just that and what such a setup would set me back.
I just want to be able to lift and lower the rear of the car at will, keeping the car comfortable and safe at the same time.
Anyone here who's more into that stuff??
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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The standard Ford system was just 2 air adjustable shocks with an onboard pump, not really intended to raise and lower the car just there to keep the same ride height the same when a load in is the boot or you are towing so i think your on about full air ride with air bags ? i've owned camper vans with airbags on the rear (ex ambulances) and they were simple setups with just a switch contriling a relay, manifold and comprressor supplying a reserve tank.
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R.I.P photobucket
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,496
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The standard Ford system was just 2 air adjustable shocks with an onboard pump, not really intended to raise and lower the car just there to keep the same ride height the same when a load in is the boot or you are towing so i think your on about full air ride with air bags ? i've owned camper vans with airbags on the rear (ex ambulances) and they were simple setups with just a switch contriling a relay, manifold and comprressor supplying a reserve tank. Yeah, I'm aware of the original option, but as you say that was a load leveller, not really a ride height adjuster. I'm kinda looking for all info and preferably the kind that fits my application. So which type of bags, what to do about the shocks that go trough the springs originally, what do I need to make it work... so I can see if it's worth the investment. I'm really only looking at the back though. Front is at a decent height and any lower, though considered more beautiful, hip or whatever nowadays, is just not my thing (or practical). I have zero experience in this area. |
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you'll be best off with a pre made air strut i'd imagine other wise it'll have to be all custom as in 2 bags relocate the shocks. (just started reading back through your build thread for a look at your rear suspension) and you'll need to mod your lower n upper arms bottom one will need flat plate welded to it so you can bolt down the air bag and notch/mod the upper so it can mount and have room (also look at fitting air bags to the front of a chevy belair as there front is like your cars rear setup as far as bag plates and notching for space is concerned and then relocate the dampers to the side of the lower arm again abit like a old chevy. i am planning the same idea for my mk3 capri i was just guna do the rear but i have since got the fever (so take this as a warning) and i'm going air ride all round. i've brought slam series rear bags ss6/re6. you will need either electric valves (8 loose valves normally closed 12v) (80/150£) or manual paddle valves (30/60£) or a full on management (1000/1500 upwards)
you'll need 1x tank 1x air compressor 1/2 gauges 2 rear bags 2 rear shocks and relocate them 50/80£ in fittings and air line switches or paddle valves 50ish 1 pressure switch electric valves x4 or x8. so yeah add that up for a rough idea or your costs but there are different combos be it manual valves electric valves (loose brass valves) electric manifold be it V2 or acuair etc e level others that get more and more expensive upto 2500. also there are a certain type of air struts that might work which would replace both your shock and spring and have the same sort more mountings but they won't be a straight fit and cost alot 500/800£ a pair. let me know if you need any more help. keep up the great build btw
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,496
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Jan 10, 2014 10:45:07 GMT
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you'll be best off with a pre made air strut i'd imagine other wise it'll have to be all custom as in 2 bags relocate the shocks. (just started reading back through your build thread for a look at your rear suspension) and you'll need to mod your lower n upper arms bottom one will need flat plate welded to it so you can bolt down the air bag and notch/mod the upper so it can mount and have room (also look at fitting air bags to the front of a chevy belair as there front is like your cars rear setup as far as bag plates and notching for space is concerned and then relocate the dampers to the side of the lower arm again abit like a old chevy. i am planning the same idea for my mk3 capri i was just guna do the rear but i have since got the fever (so take this as a warning) and i'm going air ride all round. i've brought slam series rear bags ss6/re6. you will need either electric valves (8 loose valves normally closed 12v) (80/150£) or manual paddle valves (30/60£) or a full on management (1000/1500 upwards) you'll need 1x tank 1x air compressor 1/2 gauges 2 rear bags 2 rear shocks and relocate them 50/80£ in fittings and air line switches or paddle valves 50ish 1 pressure switch electric valves x4 or x8. so yeah add that up for a rough idea or your costs but there are different combos be it manual valves electric valves (loose brass valves) electric manifold be it V2 or acuair etc e level others that get more and more expensive upto 2500. also there are a certain type of air struts that might work which would replace both your shock and spring and have the same sort more mountings but they won't be a straight fit and cost alot 500/800£ a pair. let me know if you need any more help. keep up the great build btw Thanks for your reply. One thing I had gathered was that I would indeed need a spring/shock combo unit (ridetech shockwaves for example). I can't and don't want to relocate the shocks. I also don't want to weld on to my powdercoated suspension. Getting those mounted would probably be doable although the shocks mount high up... But then there are questions of minimum compression, max compression etc. I really want to lift the back up higher. I don't just want airride suspension as found on several websites as more of a replacement and refinement of the stock system. But as much as I would like to do this, I think it will be difficult to find stuff that will fit without (much) modification. |
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Jan 10, 2014 18:36:47 GMT
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yeah i'd say your right mate its either a lot of work or you will need to pay someone a lot of money. luckily for me i can do all the work myself and can take my time on it. all the best
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