Expy LLS to spring conversion
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Aiea, Hawaii
Lama,
Thanks for the great info.
For the Rear OEM spring conversion install...
1) Will it work with the drop coils as well?
2) Is there anything special holding the coils on?
I am sure I am not the first one that is trying to do this (rear air convert to drop rear coils), but there is no one who has posted their findings.
Thanks Again,
Alan
Thanks for the great info.
For the Rear OEM spring conversion install...
1) Will it work with the drop coils as well?
2) Is there anything special holding the coils on?
I am sure I am not the first one that is trying to do this (rear air convert to drop rear coils), but there is no one who has posted their findings.
Thanks Again,
Alan
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19
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You can install any rear spring, as long as it is wound correctly for the Expy. Nothing is holding it in except its correct shape that fits into the upper and lower pockets. The vehicle weight keeps it in, and the sway bar should not let the springs pop out if you jack up the vehicle on a hoist.
A hui hou.
Lama
A hui hou.
Lama
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Aiea, Hawaii
Thanks Lama for you informative postings...
Now I just need to order the Eibach coils all around ($310 including shipping to Hawaii) and thoses coil insulators from Ford ($13 each special order)...
By the way you local from Hawaii?
Alan
Now I just need to order the Eibach coils all around ($310 including shipping to Hawaii) and thoses coil insulators from Ford ($13 each special order)...
By the way you local from Hawaii?
Alan
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8
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hello all, new to the site. i have a 99 EB expy with the 4 corner lls. P.O.S!!! i want to do the coil conversion. sounds like strutmasters is the way to go. cant find a link or phone#. probably right in front of my nose.thanks.
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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About howm uch did this run you?????
Originally Posted by Lama
If you want to get rid of the LLS system on your Expy:
-------------------------------------->
Front: (4wd LLS) Remove original air shocks and install normal shocks:
Monroe: 32080 (Monroe-Matic) or 34911 (Gas Adjust)
KYB 344071 or KG5414
Napa NS 94010, or RR20704 or NS76911
Basically, a 1966 Ford Bronco (to S/N 830001) shock, rear application.
--------------------------------------->
Rear: Pry out airbags (just held in with metal clips, (bleed all air out first),
a) Install correct rear FORD OEM Expy/Navigator coil spring. Realize you need to be aware of your vehicles configuration, i.e. 2wd, 4wd, Sport, Rear Air, Tow package, etc. to get correct spring height and rate. Get the rubber coil spring isolators also.
b) Strutmasters, Inc. has a rear coil spring replacement "kit" (a pair of springs) that I used, but have had trouble with, but they are working on resolving this issue.
Rear shocks: You can leave the originals in there if not leaking, or replace with any correct P/N shock for your year Expy.
----------------------------------------->
When done, leave air susp. switch in "ON" position, but disconnect the large electrical connector powering the air pump, under the washer fluid reservior, or remove pump completely. This will keep the "CHK SUSP" light from staying on.
I got sick and tired of dealing with LLS problems, and the noise the pump makes.
Hope this can help others kill this POS idea by Ford.
-------------------------------------->
Front: (4wd LLS) Remove original air shocks and install normal shocks:
Monroe: 32080 (Monroe-Matic) or 34911 (Gas Adjust)
KYB 344071 or KG5414
Napa NS 94010, or RR20704 or NS76911
Basically, a 1966 Ford Bronco (to S/N 830001) shock, rear application.
--------------------------------------->
Rear: Pry out airbags (just held in with metal clips, (bleed all air out first),
a) Install correct rear FORD OEM Expy/Navigator coil spring. Realize you need to be aware of your vehicles configuration, i.e. 2wd, 4wd, Sport, Rear Air, Tow package, etc. to get correct spring height and rate. Get the rubber coil spring isolators also.
b) Strutmasters, Inc. has a rear coil spring replacement "kit" (a pair of springs) that I used, but have had trouble with, but they are working on resolving this issue.
Rear shocks: You can leave the originals in there if not leaking, or replace with any correct P/N shock for your year Expy.
----------------------------------------->
When done, leave air susp. switch in "ON" position, but disconnect the large electrical connector powering the air pump, under the washer fluid reservior, or remove pump completely. This will keep the "CHK SUSP" light from staying on.
I got sick and tired of dealing with LLS problems, and the noise the pump makes.
Hope this can help others kill this POS idea by Ford.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 149
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Originally Posted by Daddy4zack
Has Anyone figured out how to keep the "Check Susp" light from coming on?
Thanks
Thanks
Strutmasters sent info on how to get rid of the check susp light:
1. The box for the controls to the LLS (and a couple other things) is located just under top of the dash...just behind the radio.
2. If you pull the radio bezel off, then the screws holding the dash (a dozen or so) you can get to the box (its black, about 1-1.5" thick, 6" wide, and 8" or so long).
3. It has two plugs, one black and one gray. According to strutmasters (and it worked for me) you have to cut the dark green w/light green stripe wire.
4. My wire is in the gray plug and its the 2nd from the left on the bottom row.
I left the compressor plugged in and the LLS switch in the on position...no check susp light and the compressor stays off.
Hope that helps.
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 236
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hello everyone. I too have fought the battle of the LLS and have replaced compressor after compressor. Most of the re-mans are done in China and they fail regularly. Finally, I found Eddy Spinks at American Air Suspension. He rebuilds and Imprves the actual Ford unit and I have been very happy so far. He also sells a unit called a spider valve which will permit you to use a shop or gas station compressor to "re-inflate" the system manually so you can still drive the truck. He also sells conversion kits - that should make a point. It is much easier just to replace the compressor a few times than to change everything (IMHO). If someting else goes, that is another matter.
This is just another opinion. Here are American Air Suspensions" coordinates:
Eddie Spinks
Owner of American Air Suspension
Air Suspension Specialist
Ford/Lincoln Air Suspension Parts & Conversion Kits
311 Dry Fork Road
Del Rio,TN.
37727
Order Toll-Free# 1-866-487-4321
Office# 423-487-4321
Fax# 423-487-4318
www.americanairsuspension.com
This is just another opinion. Here are American Air Suspensions" coordinates:
Eddie Spinks
Owner of American Air Suspension
Air Suspension Specialist
Ford/Lincoln Air Suspension Parts & Conversion Kits
311 Dry Fork Road
Del Rio,TN.
37727
Order Toll-Free# 1-866-487-4321
Office# 423-487-4321
Fax# 423-487-4318
www.americanairsuspension.com
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Ramphog
So the big question....... How does it ride!!!!!!
Very happy with it...no more worries about a failure somewhere in the system (had a bad front shock once and the small fitting over near the master cylinder go bad) and having to drive home with the rearend practically on the ground...
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I hate to pop in late on this, but I own a 2000 Navigator, and I was wondering if can do the LLS to standard suspension mod on this as well.. It seems like it would be the same getup...but i did notice a few things in my search for parts.. for example the rear shocks... for an expy like my 2001 i can buy shocks for around the $30 area, and they have tons of different ones to choose from, but when i search for rear shocks for my 2000 Navi, I only see one choice at the parts store and they are bilstrein and they are $60 each... So I am wondering if the same stuff for the expy conversion would apply for my Navi... Do I still buy a set of shocks for the front for a 1966 ford bronco?? the parts store has front shocks listed for my navi as bilstein BE5-2574 or BE5-2575.. which seems odd that they even have them listed at all?? Do I buy their rear shocks for LLS or for standard suspension after the conversion?? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!
Last edited by Stealth111; Jul 3, 2005 at 04:21 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 61
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http://www.yellow94.stangnet.com/photo2.html
hope this works, photos and instructions on cutting the correct wire for deleting the check suspension light.
later
Orlie
hope this works, photos and instructions on cutting the correct wire for deleting the check suspension light.
later
Orlie
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Orlie
http://www.yellow94.stangnet.com/photo2.html
hope this works, photos and instructions on cutting the correct wire for deleting the check suspension light.
later
Orlie
hope this works, photos and instructions on cutting the correct wire for deleting the check suspension light.
later
Orlie
stealth111...just cross whatever bilstein number they give you and see what it jives with for monroe's, kyb, etc.
Without knowing for sure if you have 4 corner LLS and if your 4x2 or 4x4, its hard to tell you about front shocks.
Here's a couple good links though...plus you should be able to cross that bilstein shock...
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/cgi-bi...ruck_make.html
http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup...e=ocl_ecatalog
http://www.pickproparts.com
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I have questions. I want to install Monroe reflex shocks in my 97 expy when I do the conversion Front # 911133, rear# 911145. Will these work? It seems the part #s posted in this thread are mostly for Broncos, why is that? Also when I look up shocks, should I get the numbers for or without LLS? Do they mount different in the rear?
thanks.
thanks.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19
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You MUST use 1966 Bronco front shocks. The shock length mounting for a non-LLS Expy WILL NOT work.
The rear you can use a non-LLS or LLS Expy shock.
Thanks to al who figured out cutting the dk. green / lt. green wire. It works, it killed my check suspension light pronto.
While you are in the dash cutting the wire, if you have the notorious disappearing odometer display, it's a great time to do that repair also, as shown in the post elswhere on this forum.
The rear you can use a non-LLS or LLS Expy shock.
Thanks to al who figured out cutting the dk. green / lt. green wire. It works, it killed my check suspension light pronto.
While you are in the dash cutting the wire, if you have the notorious disappearing odometer display, it's a great time to do that repair also, as shown in the post elswhere on this forum.