Hi, I am looking for air shocks for the front and rear of my 1984 Ford LTD Country Squire. I need to raise the front some and like the flexibility of being able to adjust the height. Any specific kits out there that go on easy? Thanks, Steve
I don't think that anyone makes front "air" shocks like you invision, rear air shock yes, but I do not think you would like what they tend to do to a cars ride. I can think of a few options. 1 - Buy an Air suspension Kit that replaces the Coil Springs with Air bags such as this example for newer Crown Vic's. http://www.suncoreindustries.com/ford-crown-victoria-suspension.php 2 - Go Junk Yarding and grab a complete system off of a Mid 80's Lincoln Continental. I was surprised the 1st time I worked on an 87 Model, they have 5.0 HO engines, independent rear suspensions, and Air bags on all 4 corners, I thought at the time they would be a great doner car for an old Ford Street Rod. Or you could add rear air bags in the coil Springs, but that would not help you out in front if the Shocks are mounted inside the coil springs like I suspect they are on your car.
The Continental shocks won't work. That generation Continental is a unibody on the Fox platform. For rear air suspension, you want the system that was optional on the Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car (all full framed Panther platform cars). I do not think there is a factory air suspension kit for these cars and I have no idea what the after market might make. The best, and most reliable solution, though, is new springs and shocks all the way around. You can do all 4 corners, and using the heavy duty tow package springs in the rear, and the Ford gas shocks all around, for under $600, for parts, labour and taxes. Bog simple, dead reliable, and able to handle an amazing amount of weight. The only time I came close to bottoming the suspension on one of these Panther cars was when I had 14 bundles of architectural shingles in the truck and back seat of the 88. That is a LOT of weight, but I still had a little suspension travel left. I just didn't go far or very fast.
