I don't see what advantage coil-overs would have. When used as a helper or tuning spring under compression, they work, or when used as a primary suspension spring they work, but I think that if you crank the preload up on a a coil over, you will be working directly opposite of the preload the torsion bar is set at. In other words, at some point they will fight each other. I think this would cause all sorts of wierd suspension rates, and could cause adverse handling issues.

Have you ever seen an Expy or F150 wth 10 or so turns cranked into the torsions? It can get pretty darn high. High enough to start causing the CV shafts to take weird angles, and high enough to need a custom alignment. My point is, the torsions can give you the slight lift you want, for free. Gas shocks are cheap. If you want an expensive shock, buy Bilstiens or KYB's or Rancho 9000's for a '66 Bronco rear (early model).

Mechanically, I do not see how coil overs would work in this application, or provide any real lift. They will look cool though.

 

Just finished my conversion. The rear springs I had ordered from Strutmasters fit well and were
easy to install. The front shocks were a pain! there is not a lot of room to remove the old air
shocks and to install the new shocks. What a PITA that was.. The rear took about 1 hour
to complete and the front took about 2.5 hours. Disconnected the air compressor. NO suspension
light on!!!! It all took about 4 hours and $300-400.
PRICELESS.... NO MORE LLS. Someday FORD may recognize this problem and give us are
money back.

Aaron

 

Yep, the fronts are a PITA if you try to remove the air-shock in one peice. I posted prior to get a high speed grinder and a carbide cutoff wheel and cut the old air shock in half, right at the metal "shank" of the shock...look at one you will see what I mean. It is also fun to hack up this crap Ford item and toss it in the dumpster.

The more I drive my wife's Expy, the better I like the ride. Seems like the Strutmaster rear springs get a bit more supple as you get a few miles on them, but they did not sag an inch.

We also hooked our 3 horse BP trailer up to it, and it does pretty darn good with the weight.

 

cool, I cant wait to drive it. My one trip around the block seemed to be a little softer ride than before. I never have to worry about saggin rear again!!

 

Interested in how the conversion suits a couple of months on. I've a 99 Expy w/ a failing LLS. I'd like to repair it, but the cost and high miles (120k) make the strutmasters conversion attractive, if it is working out for daddy4zack.

Thanks.

 

My kit has worked GREAT! No more air ever again.I would recamend just getting the rear springs from Strutmaster and the front shocks through your local shop. I did front and rear myself and am quiet happy with both.
Aaron

 

Pardon my ignorance but if i replace my air suspension system with shocks made by KYB or Monroe, do i have to buy coil springs for the front and rear?

 

Just the rear. Shocks in front. Springs in rear.

 

I may be forced to do this as well... mine will not lower and is stuck pumped all the way up... any ideas on that one? Has 97,000 miles and this is the first issue with it for me. The system will not vent, and I have no idea how to fix it.

 

I have an leaking right rear airbag that is causing the pump to go into "overtime"- it deflates within minutes after shutting the car off and is at keel position. I need to repalce a bag I think, but Im goingto pull it out an look at it.
Whats the best way to go about this? Its either the connecter at the bag or the bag itself.

How do I make sure all the air is out of the bag before I pull it off the axle?
I would imagine that if i putthe switch in the off position before I start it, it should be empty??

Anyways to inflate it out of the Expy to see where its leaking?

Thanks,
Doug

 

sweet

after a search i found this

i have been wondering about this and trying to learn more about how to junk that stuff

now i know

 

Just an update. My converted Expy is still doing fine with the Strutmaster springs and monroe shocks. Rides real nice, no more LLS problems.

My buddy at work had to do his wifes 99 XLT also. Lucky for him I had done it before, otherwise he was going to take it to the dealer to fix the LLS.

When his new springs arrived from Strutmasters, I noticed the kit has been greatly improved. There is now a nice rubber coil isolator and mount on the upper springs, and good instructions.

He installed Gabriel front shocks from an early Bronco. He is also pleased to have gotten rid of the LLS system.

 

I know we are all truck guys here but Ford should have learned this problem from the Lincoln Mark series of te 90's. They had a ton of issues just like you guys, were really expensive to fix, just like this, and some smart people eventually found away around it to install regular stuff. Boy I guess ford just likes making the same mistake twice on some stuff so the can make more cash. Glad your expys are running better, how big and heavy are the pumps you are removing?

 

I just found this thread after I just did a complete LLS to coi swap out on my 99 Expy. After being stranded on the bump stops in the back I was so mad - I swore the LLS off... One call to Chip @ Strutmasters and I was in business. The rear installed easily, and the front I had the alignment shop do along with a new alignment and I can't be happier. Total cost for me was $675 labor and all parts. I should have swapped out the rear shocks when I was there but I was just worried about getting it running at the time. I have the front Strutmaster coil overs and I guess they work.... there is no clearance issues with the front drive shafts when I checked. The truck does ride a TON better. I've been dealing with odd suspension issues which the dealer attributed to the new tires we got in the Firestone recall (from passenger Firestone Wilderness to Goodyear Wrangler ATS light truck tires). The dealer swore this is why the ride was different - well the swap to coils proved him wrong. The truck is making the wife smile again. And she doesn't even mind the money spent - now that's saying something.

I hadn't gotten rid of the CK SUSPN light yet - but I'm headed out there now to look under the washer bucket to fix it!

Here's a pic of the non LLS Expy with the complete Strutmaster kit (which my rear springs had the rubber coated ends on them - no isulators needed). It's a little dirty from the rain earlier but you get the idea on ride height.

Thanks!!
Fred

 

sweet

that is what mine will look like

except it is a little more beat up lookin