Poll: best suspension conversion kit.

M

my95mark8

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Which is your favorite suspension conversion kit, and why?
a: Arnott
b: Strutmasters
c: American Air
d: Suspension Alternatives
e: Struts R Us
f: None, I love my air ride
 
my95mark8 said:
Which is your favorite suspension conversion kit, and why?
a: Arnott
b: Strutmasters
c: American Air
d: Suspension Alternatives
e: Struts R Us
f: None, I love my air ride
Click to expand...

I believe a, b, and e get them from the same place.

I believe that c will give you the best support.

I don't know who d is.

I like f, but springs are not bad. I have springs on my 93 from Strutmasters.
 
I'd vote F- and get them from American Air.
I didn't have a good experience with Arnott.

For $150 I get a new shocks and coil springs. And I can replace them every ten years using a socket set. New car ride in a box.
 
The rebuilt ones from american air, are the hydraulic parts rebuilt too? I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that they just replace the airbag. Are the new ones that the other guys sell "products of china"?
I am still trying to decide which way to go, air or coil springs. Right now, I am only having problems with the front, the rears appear to be in alot better condition than the front.
 
my95mark8 said:
The rebuilt ones from American air, are the hydraulic parts rebuilt too? I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that they just replace the airbag. Are the new ones that the other guys sell "products of china"?
I am still trying to decide which way to go, air or coil springs. Right now, I am only having problems with the front, the rears appear to be in alot better condition than the front.
Click to expand...

I'm a real fan of Eddie at American Air. I've never had a bad experience with Eddie. He's always been around for me when I needed help. When a friend of mine had problems Eddie talked him through the whole process while on the phone.

I would put Eddie's part up against anyones. I believe they are are good. Like I posted Strutmasters, Arnott, and Struts R Us I believe get theirs from the same place. All three sell on eBay and all seem to have the same parts.

Eddie will stand behind everything he sells.

Of the three, Strutmasters, Arnott, and Struts R Us, I would shy away from Struts R Us.

I don't think you will go wrong with Strutmasters or Arnott and I think they have good products. I just know Eddie and I have talked to him personally a few time. I have his Spider Valve, and My friend bought his compressor and air ride struts and is very pleased with his product.

As to which way you want to go - Air or Springs all depends on what kind of ride you want. The springs stiffen up the ride and eliminate any more air ride issues. Then you are riding in a Lincoln and they are about the air ride. You will loose the drop you get when you get up to higher speeds.

Both will give you an excellent ride Air ride you will have the float, springs a bit firmer. It's up to you as which way to go.

I believe a spring conversion will cost about the same as to replace the 2 front air struts. The rears seem to last forever.

Both replacements are very easy and can be done in an hour or two.

If you go to springs you should think about changing your rear shocks while you are at it along with the top mounting bracket that tends to wear out. Get the mounting brackets from Maxx at 5 Star as he is the cheapest place to get those (about $70 for a set). You can use Thunderbird shocks for the rear which will also save you some money.
 
i'm disqualified. i use large truck suspension on my truck and stock susp. on my cars!!
 
When i posted my choice it should have been C. American Air i got my air ride compressor from Eddie!!!!!!
 
I do like the feel of the air ride. smooooooth....:D
I hear nothing but good things about Eddie! Sounds like a great guy.
When you do a yahoo search for strutsRus, you get a page with the guy's mug shot on it....that worries me.
 
Do you have to separate the spindle from the upper control arm to change the air strut?
 
my95mark8 said:
Do you have to separate the spindle from the upper control arm to change the air strut?
Click to expand...
Either pound it out with a hammer from the bottom, or get a pickel fork. The fork is the easiest way to do it.


American Air Suspension all the way.
 
Thanks for your input guys.
I am leaning towards keeping the air ride.
Next decision is strutmasters vs. american.
strutmasters shows "new" for $169....
american shows "rebuilt" for $150....with the core.
 
I too was in the debate.... of which company to go with??? i narrowed it down to 2: Strutmasters and American Air.... someone from this site told me that when they ordered from strutmasters, the struts read arnott on the side!!! so that eliminated arnott... went with american air... talked to Eddie over the phone and he was very helpful, not to mention everyone on this site recommends him... hands down... give Eddie a call.... i will be installing all new suspension and spider extreme next week if all goes well.... then to tackle hid headlights... so damn expensive....lol
 
Marked1 said:
I too was in the debate.... of which company to go with??? i narrowed it down to 2: Strutmasters and American Air.... someone from this site told me that when they ordered from strutmasters, the struts read arnott on the side!!! so that eliminated arnott... went with american air... talked to Eddie over the phone and he was very helpful, not to mention everyone on this site recommends him... hands down... give Eddie a call.... i will be installing all new suspension and spider extreme next week if all goes well.... then to tackle hid headlights... so damn expensive....lol
Click to expand...

LOL when I ordered from Eddie, the struts had Strutmasters on the side.
 
C


and only C.

you wont find a better company, and when it comes down to 'conversions', you do NOT want to compromise.

cheaper can often cost more in the long run. Do it once, and know it is done.
 
I am sticking with air. I think strutmasters. Someone on another board said they got them and they leaked though :confused:
I can't afford the "Ford" ones.
 
Marked1 said:
I too was in the debate.... of which company to go with??? i narrowed it down to 2: Strutmasters and American Air.... someone from this site told me that when they ordered from strutmasters, the struts read arnott on the side!!! so that eliminated arnott... went with american air... talked to Eddie over the phone and he was very helpful, not to mention everyone on this site recommends him... hands down... give Eddie a call.... i will be installing all new suspension and spider extreme next week if all goes well.... then to tackle hid headlights... so damn expensive....lol
Click to expand...
Was that the air struts, or the conversion kit from strutmasters that said arnott on them?
What do repair shops (independant, not dealer) usually charge for this? (front struts)
 
I honestly can't tell you how long the rebuilt struts will last. I have been selling them for about 4 years now and have yet to have an air bladder failure due to age.

Repair shops will charge anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours labor for a front strut job. Times that to whatever their labor rate is. If your handy at all, you should give this a shot. Do the lower struts bolts first....before anything else. If they give you a hard time, you can easily put it back together and take it somewhere else.

As far as conversions go, the "average" labor is $50 per wheel. I had one lady say she got her 4 wheel conversion done for $100. Unless you have a hot voice and a pair of legs that won't quit, I don't think thats going to happen to you. ;)
 
I probably will tackle it myself. I have access to a lift, and air tools, but the time I would be able to spend in the shop is very limited. I was kinda wondering how much would be fair if I decided to slide someone a few bucks to do it as a side job.
The bottom bolt is the part of the job that worries me....salty roads here in Boston. It looks pretty simple, other than that part.
 
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