new owner looking for info.

[fourwheels0]

i just got a 94 mark viii and i'm looking for any info,tip's ect on this car. i'm about to do a front coil over conversion and was wondering about the air ride check light. in the conversion it say's to cut the green wire with the light green sripe. now does anyone have a pic of that harness and wire. i think it is the second plug(looking forward to the engine compartment) it is a gray plug and has that wire AM I CORRECT?. thanks any info would be fantastic.

 

[unity]

I am not sure of the wire, but, are the rear bags holding air? If not, disabling the air-ride will result in a dropped rear end. It really is best practice to replace them all. Since the front will no longer auto-level, the rear will never get supplied air again (or vent).

 

[poniesviii]

I was curious about this. Probably won't perform it due to being so un- corner balanced. But it would be nice to have rear bags for rear weight and coils up front for less problems.

If you clip that wire, are you sure you're disabling the system .. or are you just dis abling the communication to the message center?

If the front isn't working. The rear sensors are actually confused?

I'm still contemplating. I need new front struts badly and Eddie isn't ready to sell his new ones yet.

 

[fourwheels0]

yes the rear bag's are holding air fine in fact the car sat for 3 months before i bought it and the rear was still holding. in the instructions for the conversion it say's by cutting the green wire all your doing is eliminating the check air ride message not eliminating the air ride it self. so now the air ride sytem still works but you just have a rear air ride and front coil overs. from my understanding when you put in the front coil's and leave the rear's your not using the front sensors so if you dont cut the wire the computer thinks something is wrong with the front end and trips the check air ride message. i could be wrong but i'll find out when my parts get here and i do the front conversion. wish me luck:burnout:

 

[unity]

Ya, you eliminate the message. BUT and this but is bigger then Oprah's. The reason you disable the message is because "Check Air Ride" will come up because it cant either raise or vent the front. When that message comes up the air ride system faults to NO-OPERATION It will no longer function, but your right, its not disabled - technically.

Keep in mind the system levels the front first, then moves to the back. You'll notice this when you get in to drive somewhere, the front raises up, then the back. But if the car cant level the front, it will never get to the back!

You can get NEW OEM Gen II struts for as low as $277. I (stupidly) paid $346 from Torrie at fast parts, but he was a big help too so...... Retail on new ones is $389.00. Gen II struts are A LOT cheaper then Gen I and are better built and lighter. Apparently the Gen I struts have a solid gold core os something that makes them so much

 

[poniesviii]

Ya, you eliminate the message. BUT and this but is bigger then Oprah's. The reason you disable the message is because "Check Air Ride" will come up because it cant either raise or vent the front. When that message comes up the air ride system faults to NO-OPERATION It will no longer function, but your right, its not disabled - technically.

Keep in mind the system levels the front first, then moves to the back. You'll notice this when you get in to drive somewhere, the front raises up, then the back. But if the car cant level the front, it will never get to the back!

You can get NEW OEM Gen II struts for as low as $277. I (stupidly) paid $346 from Torrie at fast parts, but he was a big help too so...... Retail on new ones is $389.00. Gen II struts are A LOT cheaper then Gen I and are better built and lighter. Apparently the Gen I struts have a solid gold core os something that makes them so much

Thanks Unity ....... that's where I was curious, if the rear would still function. I don't want to add a tank and switch.

As for the Gen II struts they have a plastic internal component whereas the Gen I's are steel ...... therefore the price difference. If you look at my sig my car actually sits like that and I'm too low to use the Gen II struts without likely wrecking them in no time. I need the Gen I's and I need to modify them so they don't bottom out often. I haven't modified my current ones, that's why they're shot.

Guess I'll wait on Eddie! Ugh. Lol.

 

[unity]

One could install the over-ride switched to manually raise and lower the rear.

On the Gen II struts: I never thought of that and will look into it further. I bought Gen II based on recommendations and price, I never thought about issues when it comes to slamming the car, which I do often via my Module VIII controller. I never thought of the stress on the plastic parts! Ummm, crap. I might have to raise my strut towers. How do you mod the struts? Sorry if this is getting off topic!

 

[fourwheels0]

can you give me the info on installing this override switch? i would like to adjust the level in the back after i install the coilovers in the front. thanks.

 

[unity]

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/airsuspension1.htm

 

[fourwheels0]

boy do i have my work cut out . thanks!!!!!!

 

[poniesviii]

You elongate the bottom mounting holes. It sounds dumb and cheesy but it works.

It's been discussed and I know of nobody on the board who has actually done it. I believe Kale tried drilling seperate holes and drilled them too high; couldn't get the strut bolted in; was too lazy after he realized the mistake to take them out and finish elongating the holes. Someone off-board did it, drives with my ride height, and it makes a huge difference in the ride, even though it's only an extra .5 - .75" of air in the bag. It's a totally different car to ride in and handles the same bumps with a whole new attitude.

You might be alright if you don't drive around like that.

I think I was talking to Ray .. he took out his bump stops and I think he used Gen II's if I remember correctly? Said they bound up in no time. Maybe that was his hypothesis. He drives around slammed all the time I remember him telling me that for sure. He was chuckling after he said it, so I'm sure it was more than a hypothesis but can't say for sure it's been awhile since I talked to him.

But, then I talked to Eddie in reference to what Ray said and he agreed it's a very bad idea to be so low on Gen II's because of the plastic. Kind of agreed with the tone of voice as to also imply that....

-it's a no-brainer and that I def want Gen I's..

and..

-I'm a moron for considering I might be able to get by with it for more than a minute..

and..

-Lets get onto the next subject this one is worthless.

Lol.

So you might be alright. But I would be highly highly nervous about it. It would suck to be away from home with a strut that turns the car into a lumberwagon glued to the ground.

I might go with those coils and modify them (relocate bottom mounting bracket- not by torching the springs) for more than a 1.5" drop. It would be SO nice to ride low and never worry about the front suspension having PMS.