Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Air Suspension

Hey fellas,
I want to Buy some air suspension, but now I am getting confused with a more recent post. All I want to do is raise and Lower my car with the touch of a few buttons. I dont care about selecting ride quality and what not just changing the level.. I currently have an Eibach Pro kit on my car and I love how it handels .. Will I loose that feeling or no?.... Where can I purchas a complet Air Sac Kit? and how much am I looking for... Im exspecting over a grand.. does anyone have any insite that can help me out??
Thanks,
-Jameson-

a BASIC setup for your car would consist of the following:
- 4 air struts.
- 4 air valves (aplo 3/8).
- air tank (5 gallon or more).
- air compressor (3/4hp recommended).
- filter(s).
- 3/8 inch airline.
- pressure switch.
- assortment of T-fittings and other misc hardware.
- switches: DO NOT GET JUST ONE SWITCH to make your car "pancake" up and down. you'll want at least the following controls to be able to adjust your ride to comfort on different terrains:
----- all up/down
----- front up/down
----- rear up/down
----- left up/down
----- right up/down
----- and you'll want all 4 independently up/down.
Figure close to $2,000 for the whole setup, PLUS installation. I'm just pricing out a basic setup, you could spend over $5,000 easily on a show setup.
check out truckn-store for airride, they have pretty good deals.

Like I posted in E. Great Lakes

Caterina - a Motor Cities NECO member has just put air struts on his Cougar successfully.

If you are interested, you two should hook up. As from what I can tell, mounting the air struts was a simple swap of the current spring/strut setup, and the hardest part was actually making the compressor tank look pretty in his trunk.

Find him on the NECO forums... his user name is Caterina

Here's a link that he posted on NECO for you to check out

98modsvt are you sure you want to add an air suspension to your car? Read below the problems owners of cars from a top outfit like Range Rover have had with its suspension and look at an the alternative solution offered....springs

Range Rover air suspension

Disclaimer - please read
We have reports of air suspension problems and difficulties with diagnosing problems (or getting the suspension up) without the dealer HP notebook tools. It appears many owners are retro-fitting conventional coil spring suspension which may not be as costly or difficult as it seems at first sight - Anyone out there want to contribute a single page summary of procedures for me to publish?


A UK company, Scorpion Racing (London NW) can retro fit coils springs in one day for around UK600 plus VAT, or supply a DIY Kit for UK400 plus VAT. Contact Colin on 0207 485 5581 or email colin@scorpion-racing.co.uk


As always we are looking into practical solutions and we hope this temporary page helps. Helpful practical observations on air suspension by David Burton can be viewed here. Mark Chandler has also sent in useful information on fooling the air suspension so it can be pumped up and the vehicle kept in use until the fault is rectified. Click here to view his email. PLEASE NOTE: I have NOT tried this, so please take care.


Problems seem to originate when a suspension component failure or maintenance work triggers an ECU fault code - It seems that any fault code will cause the system to vent and lower onto its buffers - 'limp home' mode, literally!! - Not helpful if you're stuck in the bush hundreds of miles from a dealer.

Fault codes can apparently be triggered by such things as changing shock absorbers or alternator failure - FAULTS CAN TRIGGER WITH IGNITION SWITCHED OFF!! - so it may be necessary to disconnect battery before working on suspension.


If a fault code is triggered, the air suspension control buttons will be permanently lit (as opposed to lighting up and going out when engine is started) and the system cannot be restored until the fault code is reset by dealer HP notebook.

If a fault code is not triggered, but suspension will not pump up (and no leaks), problem could a seized compressor - try hitting compressor body with a SOFT hammer. This has a reasonable success rate but check fuses and electrical 1st!!


We also have one report of fault codes being triggered by defective battery earth cable/connection to body - the fault went away when cable renewed. Please email if this is your experience.


We understand fault codes survive ECU disconnection so it should be possible to airmail ECU to a dealer who can (using stock vehicle) read fault code(s), reset ECU and airmail it back to you together with any suspect part identified by fault code. If you've done this successfully please email.

Feedback, comments and useful facts to rod@carelect.demon.co.uk