Can I convert only the rear air shocks?

[v1lakon3]

I have a 2000 4WD Lincoln Navigator that has a sagging rear driver's side. I would rather convert to the springs than deal with the air suspension maintenance costs. Can I convert only the rear air shocks? Will that affect the front air suspension? I have been wanting to convert both front and back air shocks. I recently received a set of rear conversions as a gift and would like to install those soon. I've searched all over google and on these forums without much luck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[bnovak]

There shouldn't be any reason that it wouldn't work.

However, you need to consider a couple of things since you are leaving the system in (technically) I'm not familiar with the replacement spring setups, but I think with those you basically disconnect the air suspension entireley, which won't work for you.

1 - need to figure out how to trick the rear sensors so that they are telling the suspension control module that the truck is at the correct ride height. If you remove them, I think they throw a trouble code, so they need to be tricked. Not sure if you can do it physically, or if you need to figure out what the sensor reads (Assuming it's a capactive measurement sensor) and stick a resistor or capacitor in it. Someone that has done a lift may have some more insight on this.

2 - you need to cap the rear suspension air lines. Again, I haven't taken mine off, so I don't know if they are self sealing at the air manifold or not. Probably removing them at the air manifold would be easier as you can just thread in a plug (ace hardware should have the correct brass plugs)

Other than those two main things, I don't see why you can't do it.

[v1lakon3]

Thanks for the quick reply. Sounds like I would be better off to just fork over the cash for the front shocks and have it all installed at once.

[bnovak]

Ahh just do it yourself. If you have a harbor freight close by, go pick up a spring compressor. You only need a couple of random sockets and wrenches to remove the old shocks.

For each side - here's a neat trick. Turn off the suspension and bleed the air out, or at least as much as you can. Soak all the bolts in PB blaster or Aerokroil the night before. WD40 won't cut it. PB blaster can be found cheap at Big Lots, Aerokroil is expensive, but works, and you can get it at Napa or other auto parts place.

1 -Jack up the frame as high as you can and put a jack stand under it.

2 - remove the wheel (remember break the lug nuts free when there is still weight on the ground )

3 - take the jack to the opposite side and jack up the axle (put the jack under the axle tube as close to the wheel as you can) - this will "sag" the side you are working on as low as it can go. BEFORE doing this though, you might want to check the brake lines and make sure they don't get pulled too tight. Sometimes they are supported on the body, and if you undo that bolt, it'll let it sag an extra couple inches.

The old air spring should drop right out, and if you got enough droop in the axle, the new coil might go in without even needing the spring compressor.

I say do it yourself if you can and save the money. At worst you need a good (LARGE) jack, 2 jackstands, couple hand tools and a spring compressor. The jack and jackstands are really useful and the compressor is only like $10.