Do we like Suspension Conversion Kits?

[DriverBill]

I would like to convert my '96 TC from Air suspension to Spring coils. I'll do the work. How do you like yours? Any problems found during the change over? I've located the kits, found the prices, read the testimonials and read the instructions, now, I'd like to hear from people who've experienced it.

Thank you,
DriverBill

[Towncar]

Off Topic: (sorry)
My son weighs in at 275 lbs, 6'6". His woman's also large. His Dad'is 6'1" at 220lbs. A full tank of gasoline is about 120 lbs.

Then fill the trunk with supplies and tell me your coil springs are holding this beautiful car level.

All that weight in, or out -- my air springs hold the TC perfectly level.

[DriverBill]

Your comments weigh heavy on my mind and your point about holding the car level is an uplifting thought. The idea of keeping the air suspention is gaining altitude in my decision making process. I would, however, like to concider what the masses have to say. Perhaps others will enlighten me also.

Thanks Steven!

Driver Bill

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by DriverBill

Your comments weigh heavy on my mind and your point about holding the car level is an uplifting thought.

Those are the worst puns I have ever seen at AF!

IMO the air suspension is one of the attractive features of the Lincolns and is worth keeping. The system is reliable, the bags and compressor last many, many thousands of miles trouble-free, and, when they do go bad, the are easy to repair.
Without the system, the car is not quite so special.

[Towncar]

Hey DriverBill --
Check this out

[most_wanted192000]

i'd really hate to have to convert to springs but i think my 2nd pump is failing might be cheaper to convert.

[DriverBill]

Okay, you're all correct! You've pumped me up! I may be accused of being full of hot air, from time to time, however this situation is one which requires a bit of inflation to elevate my lowly way of thinking.

I do love the ride, as well as, the features and benefits of having the air suspension. Thanks for your input and persuasion, Towncar, and all others who posted.

DriverBill (or should I say; Air-Bag Bill)

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by DriverBill

I would like to convert my '96 TC from Air suspension to Spring coils. I'll do the work. How do you like yours? Any problems found during the change over? I've located the kits, found the prices, read the testimonials and read the instructions, now, I'd like to hear from people who've experienced it.

Thank you,
DriverBill

my town car is a 95 with almost 200,000 miles on it. i just recently had to put in a new air compressor because it became clogged. the air bags were replaced at 167,000 miles. i know someone who converted their 97 town car to coil springs because his air bags started to leak and decided to convert to coil springs was a wise choise. however, the other day he road in my town car and decided that converting to coil springs was a bad idea because he said my car road so much nicer. so i guess you get a mixed review about coil springs and air bags. coil springs are better in the long run, then again you are loosing that smooth ride that all town cars give you with the air suspension. as a matter of fact, with any lincoln, you loose that feeling of smoothness and comfort when converting to coil springs.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by sreilly77

.. you loose that feeling of smoothness and comfort when converting to coil springs.

You've made some very good points, and it's nice to hear of a comparison however, there's many folks that would disagree with you're comment I've quoted.

There's cheapo conversion kits, and more expensive ones. The talk of the town (car) is that the more expensive ones ride better than the airbags.

Another consideration is spring sag, which comes around at about 70/80k miles after the conversion, then your in the same boat draggin the TC's ass.

My personal experience as noted earlier in this thread is that no matter how well coil or leafs are made, they have trouble with varying loads, where airsprings don't.

When a leaf or coil is supporting the vehicle with it's stronger resistance coils/leafs (read heavier loads) your ride quality goes out the door, otherwise their riding very smoothly. Airsprings have the same problem as the air pressure in the bags increases to handle a larger load, the ride stiffens but the exageration isn't as pronounced as coils/leafs.

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by Towncar

You've made some very good points, and it's nice to hear of a comparison however, there's many folks that would disagree with you're comment I've quoted.

There's cheapo conversion kits, and more expensive ones. The talk of the town (car) is that the more expensive ones ride better than the airbags.

Another consideration is spring sag, which comes around at about 70/80k miles after the conversion, then your in the same boat draggin the TC's ass.

My personal experience as noted earlier in this thread is that no matter how well coil or leafs are made, they have trouble with varying loads, where airsprings don't.

When a leaf or coil is supporting the vehicle with it's stronger resistance coils/leafs (read heavier loads) your ride quality goes out the door, otherwise their riding very smoothly. Airsprings have the same problem as the air pressure in the bags increases to handle a larger load, the ride stiffens but the exageration isn't as pronounced as coils/leafs.

ahh i see. it is true that the ride does stiffen when i have a lot of people in the car. but you know what i have noticed with the coil springs on a crown victoria i used to have? i used to take that car down the shore and stuffed the truck with lots of things and the rear used to sag. however, the ride was unchanged. so i guess coil springs do have their advantages. whereas with air bags, extra weight stiffens the ride.