It's time to convert

[kgreenjinx]

Well the time has come for the suspension conversion. Compressor is growling and think I have bag that has a leak in front. Have to say I think I will miss the air ride comfort. Its a 2003 Expy 4wd. Done several upgrades to it over the past year or so and was dreading this. I was looking at this kit on ebay 2003 2006 Lincoln Navigator 4 Wheel Air Suspension Conversion Kit | eBay

as well as this Carbon Steel Coil Spacer Lift Kit Front 3 5" Rear 2 5" 4x2 2WD 4x4 4WD | eBay


Is going with the eibach springs worth the extra $100 over the cheaper kits. I would love to spend 700-900 on a kit but it is just not in the budget. Just looking for thoughts or experiences. Would love to get these ordered tomorrow morning barring any negative opinions.

 

[kgreenjinx]

Don't I feel stupid. I had read through many of the threads about the conversion over the past few months. I had seen good things about Strutmasters. I just knew I could not afford their website pricing right now for the better set with the eibachs. low and behold, "mysuspensionalternatives" turned out to be the ebay name for strutmaster at something like $157 savings for what look likes the same kit on their website. Never did see any threads referring to it. They are probably out there though. Came across paypal as Strutmasters and I am pleased. Full 4 corner conversion and 3.5/2.5 leveling kit for $587.64.

 

[b514]

Yup, that's a Strutmasters kit. I just had one installed last week and don't regret it for a second. I went with the more expensive red springs. They're made in California and come with lifetime warranty. The cheaper black springs are from China and only have one year warranty.

I wish I knew about their ebay account. I bought from their website and paid 980 for the red springs and lift kit.

 

[rock3ralex]

^ Nice find I've got a 3.5" 2" leveling kit vs your 2.5". Also have a full coil over setup too. Rides really nice.

 

[kgreenjinx]

Yup, that's a Strutmasters kit. I just had one installed last week and don't regret it for a second. I went with the more expensive red springs. They're made in California and come with lifetime warranty. The cheaper black springs are from China and only have one year warranty.

I wish I knew about their ebay account. I bought from their website and paid 980 for the red springs and lift kit.

Yeah that's what I went with is the red eibach springs. At least that is what it said in the auction. Figured for an extra $100 the lifetime warranty was nice. The black ones in the pics just didn't look as heavy duty. Hopefully over the next week the expy (or should I say wife's expy) is gonna look so different. Shes excited. Trying to decide if we want to plasti dip the rims or not. Its the stock aluminum and powder coating them is way to expensive. No budget for new rims. Definitely gonna plasti dip the faded trim on side and bumpers. Already have the K&N CAI. Then have to see what else is in the budget. I may even fix the rattling back door and rear air blend door. I glad its gonna ride nice. I pull a lot of trailers and have thought about adding firestone ride rite helper bags. I had them on my old 93 flareside and it helped so much.

 

[b514]

I had the rattling rear air blend door issue too. I "fixed" it by disconnecting the cable to the door motor

I've plastidipped my front bumper too and it looks really badass with the new truck height. I'm buying more PD cans tomorrow and will cover all the tan trim and possibly the rims (but will leave the center caps in crome).

If you're looking for more mods, try the "gotts mod" (google it) and maybe buy a programmer to install a performance or fuel economy tune.

 

[GAINMOB]

i have suncore conversion kit...just under $400...comes with instructions to keep "check air suspension" message off

 

[kgreenjinx]

I am really hoping mine comes with the instr. to remove the check sus message. I have found quite a bit on here regarding the gen 1's But did not see it for gen 2. Is your expy a gen 2?

As far as plastidip, I think a matte black would look good. We have the dark grey expy XLT and the trim had been painted by the previous owner a few years ago. Its starting to flake off so hopefully I can prep it good enough for the plastidip to hold.

 

[GAINMOB]

I am really hoping mine comes with the instr. to remove the check sus message. I have found quite a bit on here regarding the gen 1's But did not see it for gen 2. Is your expy a gen 2? QUOTE]

2004...pic of it is in my sig below

 

[kgreenjinx]

^ Nice find I've got a 3.5" 2" leveling kit vs your 2.5". Also have a full coil over setup too. Rides really nice.

Did you install yourself? The reason I ask is I wonder if I need to get a spring compressor to collapse enough to get springs and spacers in . I know watching video u dont need it for just coil overs but since im adding spacers wanted to be sure i have them on hand. Received all my parts today in mail. Gonna hopefully get started this weekend on it.

 

[b514]

i have suncore conversion kit...just under $400...comes with instructions to keep "check air suspension" message off

Did your truck have the "kneel down" feature? Do you remember what you had to do to get rid of the "check suspension" message?

The instructions in my conversion kit said there's no way to disable the error message for trucks that had the "kneel down" option. I'd love to get rid of that message (and the annoying beep every time i start my truck)

 

[FordGate]

I can't get rid of my message either. I don't know if I have the kneel down option or not when I turn it off it sinks down. When a door is open though it stops sinking until the door is closed again.

 

[b514]

I can't get rid of my message either. I don't know if I have the kneel down option or not when I turn it off it sinks down. When a door is open though it stops sinking until the door is closed again.

Yup that's the "kneel down" option. Apparently there's no easy way of turning the error message off for such trucks after converting to coilovers.

For trucks that don't have this option, all you have to do to get rid of the message is to remove the solenoid valves from the air shocks you took off the truck, connect the valves back to the electric cables and zip tie them somewhere in there.

 

[kgreenjinx]

And the coil conversion with the 3.5/2.5 kit is done. No major issues. No replacement part runs everything was in good shape. Wife is extremely happy with its new stance. Sits about 6" higher right now as it did with the airbags. Just wonder how much it will settle down. I just always assumed the coilovers would ride rough compared to the airbags. I was wrong. We live down 4 miles of rough dirt roads. Rides so much better now. with no floating or body roll.

It was scary beating on some of the items with the Aluminum control arms. Must be tough to hold up to driving abuse.

Going to get plastidip for wheels and trim on Wednesday. Then I will post pics. We are leaning toward bull bar with lights We are trying decide if we want to put bull bar or brush guard on front. Now the 265 tires look so small. But tires will have to wait. The nitto crossteks only have about 5,000 miles on them so we will ride them out until next year. Fixed the common 5.4L deteriorating vacuum hose leak problems we found (thanks to the forum). And codes are gone. Tearing into diverter door on rear AC tomorrow.

Thanks everyone, You all must have been really praying for me in order for me to pull this off without a hiccup. Usually on something like this a bolt gets stripped or I have to cold chisel a bolt.


Yep I am lucky and had the kneel down option. So we will have to get used to the message center calling us idiots.

 

[b514]

Did you try reconnecting the solenoids to see if the message goes away?
I plan to try on mine (still got the old bags in a box somewhere), but dunno when I'll have the time.

 

[GAINMOB]

Did your truck have the "kneel down" feature? Do you remember what you had to do to get rid of the "check suspension" message?

The instructions in my conversion kit said there's no way to disable the error message for trucks that had the "kneel down" option. I'd love to get rid of that message (and the annoying beep every time i start my truck)

it does...

 

[kgreenjinx]

Did you try reconnecting the solenoids to see if the message goes away?
I plan to try on mine (still got the old bags in a box somewhere), but dunno when I'll have the time.

I did not try it either. I may see what happens. Right now I just have my switch off.

 

[kgreenjinx]

Well here we are 5 months down the road since I did the conversion. Just wanted to give a little update. I am absolutley impressed. I have re-torqued bolts a couple times just to be on the safe side. But still no issues. The ride height hasn't really settled much. The conversion was one of the best things I have ever done to one of our daily drivers. We have hauled cars on trailers multiple times, taken several long road trips to texas, and had it packed full of people (7 big adults) and the ride is still fantastic. Best part is no more compressor grumbling. I also got to throw out all my spare supplies from my shop like extra air line and drier where I had to repair it before.

The nitto crossteks I had on there are in dire need of replacement. got 21,000 out of them. Thats about par for the miles of gravel road we live down. So next month trying to find a good tire setup for it. Thinking the cooper discoverer STT in a 295/70/17 on stock rims, and maybe bull bar for front. We'll see gotta run that past the wife. She has already ok'd the plasti-dip wheels, grill and side body panels that are grayed out. In fact she is excited t ge the plastic body panels fixed. Just have to wait for a nice couple days.

 

[mkc1962]

So gotta ask as your Gen2......did you ever get rid of the "Check suspension" message on your dash each time it cranks?

I just did a conversion on my 2006 and removing the old solenoids, plugging them back in and tucking away has no effect on the message. It is still there every time I crank the truck. Ive even tried with the rear on/off switch in both locations, on or off.

 

[FordGate]

So gotta ask as your Gen2......did you ever get rid of the "Check suspension" message on your dash each time it cranks?

I just did a conversion on my 2006 and removing the old solenoids, plugging them back in and tucking away has no effect on the message. It is still there every time I crank the truck. Ive even tried with the rear on/off switch in both locations, on or off.

No. If you have the "kneel" feature (air suspension lowers when car is turned off) you cannot disable the warning. I just live with it.