Can I do this? (Air suspension & differentials)

[ZacUnknown69]

Hello, thank you for viewing. The rear bags (or solenoid's) are bad on my Mark VIII. I'm wondering; can I replace just the rear end with springs? Or do I need to replace all 4 at once? Also, how difficult is it removing all the air suspension components like the compressor, lines, etc? Don't need any useless extra weight.

On a sidenote - my car came with an open 3.27 differential, nothing wrong with it just getting ideas. I'm looking for 3.55's to 3.85's limited slip. I'd consider 4.10's if they aren't extremely expensive and the stock transmission (4R70W) can handle it. I personally, have no idea how to replace the innards of a differential so I'd have to either have a shop do it unless I can just buy a mechanical LSD from a wreckers and bolt it in myself.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

[chris2523]

4.10s or bust IMO. get a track lock at the same time
i suggest all springs or no springs.

 

[soduka]

If you're going to mess with the gears, 4.10 is the way to go. That's what everyone does.

If I am recalling the thread about the air suspension correctly the system "starts" in the back and then proceeds to the front. If the back doesn't work it will hard fault and the front won't work either. It's that or completely the opposite but I'm pretty sure the air suspension system starts in the rear.

 

[chris2523]

air suspension starts in the front.

 

[zonie77]

I haven't done the swap lately but I did it a few years ago on a 96 MarkVIII with the Monroe kit. I was really disappointed. Too mushy of a ride. It would have been worth fixing the air suspension. Just my 2 cents.