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Subject: "Any thoughts on strutmasters.com" Archived thread - Read only
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gordo8868
Member since Nov-20-03
27 posts		 Nov-26-03, 10:02 AM (EST)
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"Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
 
   I think I am going to convert my Mark VIII to non-air. I just odn't have $2K to do the front and then replace the rear down the road. Has anyone used strutmasters products? How are they? How is the car after converting to non-air? They can send me an all four wheel kit for $550 to my front door. Is it hard to do the conversion from those that have done it? I really think this is what i am going to do. Any thoughts on conversion from the folks that have done it. Thanks in advance. G...


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drgnfrmteam
Charter Member
1502 posts		 Nov-26-03, 10:16 AM (EST)
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1. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #0
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-26-03 AT 10:19 AM (EST)
 
There is NO need to swap over. Especially if you plan on doing the conversion yourself....you can replace the struts yourself also....but if you are dead set against keeping the air ride then there is nothing that any of us will do......

check your inbox by the way and this thread you started about replacing the struts......


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callouieadmin
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5655 posts		 Nov-26-03, 10:22 AM (EST)
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2. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #1
 
   Where's this $2k number keep coming from? If you don't have the skills or tools replace a simple air strut, you definitely aren't prepared to installing the conversion. If you paid for the struts, new compressor, relay, spider valve, and maybe $300 to install it all, you'd still be around half of this $2,000 number you keep tossing around. If you do it yourself, you're well under the $1,000 mark.

Strutmasters has been reviewed here previously. It is somewhat mixed reviews, some love it, some have had nothing but problems. Seems to be a bigger gamble than simply using new Ford parts, in my book.

Calvin Louie
94 Mark VIII - Dark Portofino Blue/Portofino Blue


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johnaecteam
Charter Member
2048 posts		 Nov-26-03, 10:29 AM (EST)
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3. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #0
 
   It'll cost you a lot more in labor to replace your air ride - there's a lot more work to do when replacing, especially since you said the rear was fine. By far the least expensive thing to do is just replace the front assemblies with new ones - you can get any general mechanic to easily do it. DON'T take it to a Lincoln dealer - they just smell money coming...

John

'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6 LX


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EmminentThunder
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1048 posts		 Nov-26-03, 10:53 AM (EST)
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4. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #3
 
Yesterday you posted on the other thread that you have already bought the struts? (which ones, air or non-air). You can buy 2 brand new 97-98 Ford OEM AIR struts for under $ 400 and install them with little to no skills in less than 2 hours.

Stay away from the dealer. Spend 4-5 hours, if you have to, going over the archives in the suspension forum and you will find all the info you need to do it yourself. Piece of cake, even in your driveway. Don't bother with the compressor and dryer until you know they are a problem. Fix only what is broken if you are on a budget. You can always go back and replace those items later.

'98 Pristine Pearlescent LSC
'93 MonsterMark
'93 Parts Car
Bryan


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gordo8868
Member since Nov-20-03
27 posts		 Nov-26-03, 01:26 PM (EST)
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5. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #4
 
   How will I know when the compressor and dryer need to be replaced if I put the new air struts in? Fordpartsnetwork shipped the struts yesterday so they are on the way, so i guess I should just put them in and go from there. I'm not a mechanic by any means, I jsut don't want to get the car apart and find I am over my head and regret it, is all I am saying. I keep hearing it is easy enough to do. What about removing the air intake silencer, someone put that up as a suggestion so that it is easier to get to the compressor and dryer later. What do you think?


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EmminentThunder
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1048 posts		 Nov-26-03, 03:05 PM (EST)
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6. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #5
 
You can do the compressor anytime you want. I have replaced two sets of struts over the last couple of years. You'll know the compressor is bad when is doesn't pump up the car anymore. You should replace the dryer at the same time as the compressor because the dryer keeps the compressor alive. So I would just start with the struts. If you someday have to replace the compressor/dryer, taking the silencer box out from inside the passenger side wheel well makes life alot easier. A side benefit is a little more intake noise if that is what you are into.

Good Luck on the struts. Take some pics.

'98 Pristine Pearlescent LSC
'93 V-10 Twin Turbo Money Pit (The MonsterMark)
'93 Collecting Dust
Bryan


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Jack B
Charter Member
138 posts		 Dec-01-03, 10:17 PM (EST)
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7. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #0
 
   I had the strutmaster conversion done on my 97 LSC. It cost $450 and $200 for my mechanic to install, and I am very happy with the results. It drives exactly the same, but most important is I have peace of mind knowing I will not have to replace the expensive air ride system in the future. This is the third Lincoln I have owned that I had to replace the suspension on, and I will never own another air suspension car again. Just my personal opinion, I can think of better ways to spend my hard earned money.


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big edteam
Charter Member
85 posts		 Dec-06-03, 08:30 PM (EST)
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8. "RE: Any thoughts on strutmasters.com"
In response to message #0
 
   I just ordered a lowered kit from strutmasters. Going to use these for the time being. I will save the airs I pull out because I may go back once eddie finish's the work he is doing on the air/koni system this spring. The air ride is probably the best for comfort, especially if you add poly bushing all around for better handling. With two system failures on my 95 at the moment it seems like a good time to experiment. The ride will be good & the handling improved especialy from the lowering, about 1-1/2"s. Guess I'll see soon enough. Either way you will make out fine it's a personal preferrance and remember you are the one driving your car. Decide what you want, the money will work out either way, and go for it. I'll post results on installation and ride when there in. Good luck Ed


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