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Coil spring conversion questions!

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Posted by: Drew4002

I am about to convert my 88 LSC over to coil/springs because my front right bag is leaking. I have a perfect 88 Mustang 5.0 to use for donor parts. I read the tech article on how to do this. I understand it and it dosn't seem too hard but I do have a couple questions. The article says to use lower control arms from a 87-88 T-bird Turbo Coupe. Can I use the lower control arms off of the 88 stang or will they not fit right? Also, is it possible to just eliminate the front air bags and leave the rears in working condition. I will eventually eliminate all of the air bags, but time is a problem right now and I want to at LEAST get the fronts fixed. Plus I like how the rear air bags plant the power to the ground without much tire spin/hop. Any help would be appreciated!

Posted by: ND4SPDLSC

It's easier to just install one new air spring at this point and then replace the other front spring when it goes. It's a 30-45 minute job in your driveway with a jack, jack stands, a flat screwdriver, and some silicone grease. For $90, you can get a cheapie aftermarket spring. It's softer, but the only place for a cheaper LSC spring is Bagmaster in TX who rebuilds them. Ford or one of its parts dealers are the only source for a new LSC spring.

The Mustang arms will not work. They're too short. The Fox Lincolns had the widest front track of any Fox excluding the SVO Mustang.

You can convert just the front and leave the rear air working.

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

I

canned all that air ride bs. I'm pleased and i havent looked back.

One day i might buy another mark vii as a nice smooth daily driver and keep the air ride.

You'll need tbird parts

Posted by: eglade

Blackout turned me on to Suspension Alternatives. They have the complete conversion kit to convert to coil spring and were the lowest price found.
Also they offer 1.5" lowering as a no cost option.

Posted by: JoshMcMadMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by eglade

Blackout turned me on to Suspension Alternatives. They have the complete conversion kit to convert to coil spring and were the lowest price found.
Also they offer 1.5" lowering as a no cost option.

Huh, www.suspension-alternatives.com definitely has lower prices than www.strutmasters.com, but they are the same site! Springs are $55 instead of $79, but they catch up a little bit on shipping. For Suspension Alternatives they charged $10 per spring in the cart, while Strutmasters was a flat $10. It's still $14 cheaper (or more) per spring. All four corners would be $260 from SA, while it would be $326 from SM!

Posted by: QuasiMofo

Total newb, excuse me for popping it on a question I should have answered with the search key.

I have an 88 Vii, multiple bad bags plus dead compressor. I also own a 1995 Mustang parts car...

Can I use the funbits from the Muffedstain (FRONT: strut, spindle, brakes, lower control arm, spring REAR: lowers, springs, shocks) to make the Vii a bit more worthy? I have built quite a few Fox and SN95 Mustangs as well as a few Tbirds so the technology is not new to me. I have the complete Mustang to part out plus I manage a NAPA store so there should not be any major parts sourcing issues.

The Linc will eventually be a dual duty car with a 30 mile one way drive to work and autocrossing on the weekends as its staple diet. It will lose a LOT of weight over the next 12 months as well as recieve a few neat little mods that most people wouldn't expect to see under a Luxury Sports Coupe.

Posted by: ND4SPDLSC

The front set up will swap over, but you need Maximum Motorsports' ball joint adapter. I'd even swap the steering rack if you get MM's adapter joint and mill 0.250 off the rear of the mounting bosses for more ackerman steering. You do need to weld in new spring perches for the Mark though. The air spring perches were not designed for the loads of a coil spring and have been shown to deform over time. You should do a search on www.fordvschevy.com's Lincoln section.

Posted by: OldSchool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPDLSC

The front set up will swap over, but you need Maximum Motorsports' ball joint adapter. I'd even swap the steering rack if you get MM's adapter joint and mill 0.250 off the rear of the mounting bosses for more ackerman steering. You do need to weld in new spring perches for the Mark though. The air spring perches were not designed for the loads of a coil spring and have been shown to deform over time. You should do a search on www.fordvschevy.com's Lincoln section.

Nick (and everyone who reads this).

Don't forget that the Mustang arm doesn't have a perch for the ride height sensor.

(Props to LSCMike)

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

use the sn95 control arms, then you'll be set with all the parts you need. i'd trash the airride.

Posted by: OldSchool1

<ban>Air Ride killers</ban>

This is humor. No springs were harmed in it's creation.

I'm John Dancy and I approve this message.

Posted by: LuxurySportCoupe

lol he already said his airride was junk, hes got a parts stang, time to trash it!!!!

Posted by: OldSchool1

<cough>donor<cough>