NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
lmfao
slammed after highway driving...
- Thread starter inkedmkviii
- Start date
lmfao
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
I like dirty struts strutting their stuff. 
I bought them from a member on another forum because at the time, there was no availability of these shocks. I would just search online for them. I would imagine by now they are available again, but before you make any potential purchase and get the "sorry we don't actually have them" type of email that I got(even though they said they were in stock) I would call them on the phone to verify. Sometimes these online sites are very disorganized with their inventories. Just a fair warning....
Nice, thanks. I'm reading your sig here, so you bought the shocks and then used Thunderbird springs with them? I'll be honest, I've never built my own "assembly"
)) before.
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
Nice, thanks. I'm reading your sig here, so you bought the shocks and then used Thunderbird springs with them? I'll be honest, I've never built my own "assembly"
The front shocks are Tokico Blues part# HU-3689
The front shock mounts are KYB part# SM5187
The rear shocks are Koni Sports part# 8041-1202Sport
The rear shock mounts were custom made and purchased from member 98lincmk7lsc.
The rear isolators are Prothane part# 6-1709 (I purchased 2 sets(4 total)
The rear perches(4 of them) were custom made and purchased from another member.
The springs I used are Thunderbird SC springs and were purchased from a member over at TCCOA. Due to the ride height on my car now I would suggest you go with something other than SC springs. I don't mind them, but plenty of people are not agreeing with the ride height my car is at now. Vogtland sells a drop spring kit for the T-Birds which was going to be my second option. There are also plenty of other options as far as the springs are concerned.
Oh man, you are great. Thanks for the help. How high is too high? How many inches is it riding high? Are the SC springs different than the LX springs from the 'Bird? (If you know off the top of your head)
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
See here:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=83618
Honestly, I really have no idea on the LX vs. SC springs but I can't imagine the car would sit any higher! LOL
For what it's worth, I saw pictures of a 90 Tbird SC on stock suspension and my car sits at about the same height.
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
That is pretty high
. Since I've never done this before, I wouldn't know what to do about that. Definitely would want it a bit lower.
KStromberg
Dedicated LVC Member
That is pretty high
http://www.vogtlandsuspensionusa.co...ord-Thunderbird-1989--1998-953058B_p_885.html
That's an...interest price.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
http://www.americanairsuspension.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MK8CV[url]http://www.americanairsuspension.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MK8CV[/URL]
Get the 1.5 lowered kit and call it a day. Sounds like you like the lowered look and you can always add better shocks to this kit down the road if you're not happy with the Monroe's
Comes with everything you'll need to completely convert over.
Get the 1.5 lowered kit and call it a day. Sounds like you like the lowered look and you can always add better shocks to this kit down the road if you're not happy with the Monroe's
Comes with everything you'll need to completely convert over.
Thanks for the link. My Mark switched off air before I bought it. Previous owner had the front done, then a while later the rear. Rear is still fine but I'm looking to redo the front.
Thanks to the help from KStromberg I've priced it out to $301 for the front, and this build seems quality. I just need to compare some spring measurements now.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
It's something that I really can't help on or suggest anything for but I have heard of a few getting the lowered kit and "they say" they're happy with it but I really wouldn't know. I'm on air for life or as long as I own my car which will be until it falls apart or gets totaled or blows up.
Hey like I said, the previous guy gutted the air ride. I would have kept it no matter what, but there's really no going back. Dude stripped every component out of the car and sold them or what have you. All I know is I don't have anything; the trunk computer is gone, the compressor, solenoids, everything. At least he had the courtesy to disable "CHECK AIR RIDE".
inkedmkviii
Active LVC Member
KStroms looks nice but sits a bit high for me- what is the ride height like with non-SC(LX or base V8) front shocks and springs? Soduka said the previous owner switch the front, then the rear at a later date... how does this work with the compressor and associated equipment? I know that idea one would want to switch it all at once but just the front to begin with is much more budget friendly to me at this point, then the rear in 5 or 6 weeks...
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
also, don't call them struts!thaywood! stay back! its a new guy!!!
I'm...biting...my...tongue...
Struts are for sissy FWD econoboxes (and Fox bodies
)Sorry, couldn't help myself...
As far as I know, the only difference between the FN10 and MN12 is that the T-Bird/Cougar has coils and the Mark VIII has air, and that the Mark has aluminum rear lower control arms while the T-Bird/Cougar have stamped steel. Almost everything to do with the chassis is interchangable between the MN12 and FN10 platforms. I used T-Bird LCA's, sway bar links, and outer tie rod ends when I did my front suspension (to save the "Lincoln Tax" - T-Bird tie rod ends were $25 at Advance Auto while Mark VIII versions were $35 even though they were the same part number - AND they had the T-Bird one in stock but said they had to order the one for the Mark
:Bang). T-Bird UCA's will work if you are converting to coil-overs because they don't have the little tab where the height sensor attaches. The LCA's from any MN12 year "should" work on any year of Mark VIII (only difference is bushing composition). An idea I had once for those who convert to coils, use rear LCA's from an MN12. They already have spring perches so you don't have to fabricate them. You will still have to do something to center them on the subframe, though. Anyway, from my experience having owned and MN12 T-Bird and Cougar and two Mark VIII's, there's virtually no difference between the two platforms. Ford apparently decided the Mark VIII needed its own chassis designation for some odd reason. I'm just trying to do my part to promote anti-McPherson strut awareness. Struts are eeeeeeeeeeeviiiiillll!
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
Just my opinion of course, but I think your car is quite a bit higher than that T-Bird. That ride height just doesn't look right on a Mark VIII. It should look something more like this:
Again, that's just my opinion. If you like the 4x4 look, more power to ya! That look just isn't for everyone
Where can you buy the rear spring locators though? Everything else is pretty easy to find like front shocks and springs (front and rear). Also is it a good idea to use isolators in the rear? I've heard people talk about using them..any benefit?
Modular97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
i say go with eibachs springs for the thunderbird.
ford nut
Local nut case
You can still stay on air if you wish, the system is stupid easy once you understand it.
Are the lines still there?
There is no Air ride trunk computer, what your looking is located in the passenger kick panel.
It is not a must have, mine is bypassed.
I can not stand the 60 mph up and down crap.
I only use the compressor, factory lines, and the factory vent ~which is included in the stock compressor~
And the factory bags with solenoids~for venting, filling bags~
Simple
Are the lines still there?
There is no Air ride trunk computer, what your looking is located in the passenger kick panel.
It is not a must have, mine is bypassed.
I can not stand the 60 mph up and down crap.
I only use the compressor, factory lines, and the factory vent ~which is included in the stock compressor~
And the factory bags with solenoids~for venting, filling bags~
Simple
Alright, I've been thinking. I'm trying to figure out how to solve KStroms' 4x4 look by using different coil springs on my build. Since he just used T-Bird SC springs and I haven't looked up the stock height on those I don't have that piece of information. What I do have though, is a choice on Moog springs.
Moog #CC888 have a spring size of:
They have a load rating of 1410 lbs and are said to be a fit for the 91-96 T-Bird/Cougar with either the 5.0 or the 4.6 V8.
Then there's another choice, Moog #CC872. These claim to fit the 91-97 T-Bird/Cougar with the 3.8 V6, and only have a load rating of 804 lbs, and their size is:
Now I'm thinking it's a safer bet to go with the ones that were used to support the larger engine. Any input?
Moog #CC888 have a spring size of:
They have a load rating of 1410 lbs and are said to be a fit for the 91-96 T-Bird/Cougar with either the 5.0 or the 4.6 V8.
Then there's another choice, Moog #CC872. These claim to fit the 91-97 T-Bird/Cougar with the 3.8 V6, and only have a load rating of 804 lbs, and their size is:
Now I'm thinking it's a safer bet to go with the ones that were used to support the larger engine. Any input?
Some of moogs info must be off..why would the first set of springs only fit 91-96 tbirds/cougars with the 5.0/4.6 and not the 97?...also what's the difference between the 3.8 tbirds/cougars from 89-90 and 91-97..why wouldn't those springs work with the early ones?...also nobody answered my quesion from before, where can you buy the spring locator (steel cup that holds the rear spring to the top perch) if you aren't buying the entire kit from strutmasters or American air?