Auto level.

[91grandmarquis]

Ok so I know this as probably been done, and that it may be on here, but I don't have good luck with search function. My question is can I possibly use the auto level air ride suspension system from an aero TC on my GM? Or is there something similar? Im looking for the auto level feature because my car sags like hell when there is more than 80lbs in the back. If it has been done/posted point me in the right direction and delete this, thanks.

[waselvis]

Given that I've seen tons of the 90-97's with the coil spring conversion, not sure I'd go that route. Cargo coils would be mucho cheaper, along with some HD shocks.

Just my two cents...

[91grandmarquis]

Well we have a 98 with auto level. I know they are finiky systems and they do shit the bed after a good 80k miles usually, But I don't forsee that much use out of this car any time soon. Also I have stiffer springs shock for her already that came with the car. I may throw them in the rear and see what happens, but these cars sag a lot anyway, and I don't want a huge rake when nobody is in it. I know where your coming from though. And that may be the way I go for now.

[gadget73]

90-97 is air sprung, so its not exactly auto level. You'd have no coil springs at all. Scott and I have been seriously considering doing this to his car. I'm convinced its possible, but as yet nobody has actually tried it.

I really think the reason lots of later cars have coil springs is because everyone gets the "bend over" price to fix it because people don't know anything about it. The air springs themselves are more expensive than coils, but its not as much more as you might think. 200 bucks gets you 2 new ones, and they take almost no time to install. If you know and understand the system, you'd be surprised how easy and cheap it is to actually keep working.

And they die from age, not mileage. The rubber dries out. 10-15 years and they're done. Its just like tires and belts.

The comprimise option is the 80s auto level system. You keep your coil springs, and put air shocks on. There is a compressor and a ride height sensor that pumps up the air shocks as needed. If it totally dies, you're still riding on coil springs.

[91grandmarquis]

Ok Im talking the auto level system our 98 has though, maybe that isn't an aero, sorry If I misled. It keeps the rear height a constant via a compressor and computer Im sure. The cars ass end sits way up after people pile out for about a minute then it settles back to normal height. Not sure where I would get the system. I don't think installing it would be too hard, just need to power the compressor, and I need to know if the ride height is an independent computer or the actual ECU system. Have any of you had this feature on one of your cars? or do I just sound like a rambling idiot.

[marquisman]

i at some point waill be installing a compressor from my bros 88 lincoln into my wagon and hooking it up to airbags that go in the coil spring and running the compressor by a toggle switch. my dads wagon has these coil spring air bag things and they have been awsome. no just adding air anywhere will make it more awsomer lol

[91grandmarquis]

i at some point waill be installing a compressor from my bros 88 lincoln into my wagon and hooking it up to airbags that go in the coil spring and running the compressor by a toggle switch. my dads wagon has these coil spring air bag things and they have been awsome. no just adding air anywhere will make it more awsomer lol

That should be cool.

Im thinking to do what I want I will need to get the right bags for my car, with the compressor and then rob the height sensor and other components from a newer TC or order them through ford. Unless I can find a complete auto level system that is aftermarket, which doesn't look too promising. This is mostly dream talk for now though cause I aint got the cash.

[gadget73]

All the 92+ cars have air springs that level the rear suspension. No coils at all. The early style system was called auto level, but it did it with air shocks. Same effect, just a different way of getting there. I'm not sure if they call the rear air suspension auto level, or if its officially named something else.

Either way, the air suspension controller is a stand-alone unit, not integrated with the car ECM at all. A little tidbit for you though, the air suspension controller is also the speed sensitive steering computer. The 1990 Towncar has a power steering pump with the speed sensitive steering solenoid on it that will bolt to a 302. With a little creativity, I'd bet you could have speed sensitive steering on a box. You'd have an easier time of it too since you have a later car. Theres a tonewheel thing under the dash on the steering shaft that needs to be there for the variable steering. I'd bet it will just pop right onto a 91.

[91grandmarquis]

That would be cool as well.

[91grandmarquis]

So I priced the bags and compressor kits out and found them to be about $350 for the rear. Im not sure if any of these come with the sensors or what not, but I plan on mounting the compressor on the frame somwhere. Also wondering about the lines that would be needed.

[jayh]

you probably will want to put the compressor in the trunk

those air bags that go into the springs actually work geat, set it and forget it. I know its not what your asking, but the car wont sag and will handle and/or tow better also

[91grandmarquis]

Could I rig up the inner spring bags to a compressor? this would at least leave me springs if I failed. And now that I think of it the trunk to the right of the spare would fit one of those compressors nicely, but that would mean a hole in the floor somewhere and a lot of corners to run the air lines around. Maybe I can work it in under the hood like on the TC.

[gadget73]

you could, but the jacking air bags are not set up with the solenoid like the air springs are. You probably want the setup out of a box with the air shocks. Those systems held pressure all the time. The air springs close the solenoids off, and the compressor itself isn't under pressure unless its running.

86 models had the compressor in the trunk, on the passenger side. There is a different piece of cardboard thats used in that spot to give the extra room for the compressor.

[91grandmarquis]

Ok so what you are saying is there was an option with air struts that would maintain constant height? because that does seem to me like a better idea.

[gadget73]

yes. Similar compressor and ride height sensor, but instead of going to air springs, it went to common air shocks. If the system shat itself completely, you have what you have now, coil springs and shocks.