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Topic: mark 7 struts? (Read 2701 times) previous topic - next topic

mark 7 struts?

will the mark 7 struts bolt up to an 87-88 tc? i know, they're equipped with bags, a direction i'm thinking of going, since i'm a minitrucker and like my stuff as low as possible ;) .. i wouldn't use the factory ride-control, as it's not really that user-friendly. i wouldn't be using the OEM junk in the rear either. i have a few pairs of new bags sitting in boxes in my closet, ready to be used.. along with PTC fittings, 8 1/4" valves and my own ride control setup, it should turn out to be a decent handling system. i know the factory mark bags are kind of sucky, but there are a couple companies that make direct replacement bags that are more durable and allow more travel
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #1 –
I believe that you are mistaking the Mark VIII having the air spring built into the strut. The Mark VII (like all other Fox platform vehicles) only has the strut. The air suspension bag is in the same place as the coil spring. As for fit, Monroe's part number between a Mark VII and a 5.0 Tbird are different.
2003 Marauder 300B
1996-97 Cobra wheel straight but weathered (For Sale)
84 TC manual shifter handle no  (For Sale)

BTW, I had a 1988 T-Bird Sport way back when. I found out that it was totalled shortly after trading it in. It still has the ignition switch recall to date.

Special thanx to EricCoolCats for showing me to this site.:bowdown:

mark 7 struts?

Reply #2 –
i know the bag goes in the same place as the coil, there's a difference in the strut to hold the bag.. just need to know if it'll bolt up to a bird with no problems
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #3 –
Mark VII struts are not coil/airbag over struts. It is just the strut. As for see if they bolt up, I cannot answer that question.
2003 Marauder 300B
1996-97 Cobra wheel straight but weathered (For Sale)
84 TC manual shifter handle no  (For Sale)

BTW, I had a 1988 T-Bird Sport way back when. I found out that it was totalled shortly after trading it in. It still has the ignition switch recall to date.

Special thanx to EricCoolCats for showing me to this site.:bowdown:

mark 7 struts?

Reply #4 –
Physically, they will bolt to the Bird..

The rear control arms are different between the Mark VII, and the Fox Birds, as well.

Unless you go to a shorter strut, you're not going to gain anything but playing with different bags...the strut can only compress so far...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

mark 7 struts?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;373643
Unless you go to a shorter strut, you're not going to gain anything but playing with different bags...the strut can only compress so far...

i know, i don't want to make it lay rocker like my toyota will, i just want adjustable ride height at the flip of a switch with the tires tucked up in the wheel wells a bit when the car is parked/not running

i guess maybe i'll come up with a different solution.. i always believed they were bagged struts.. i've never really looked at 1, so i was just assuming they were like the mark 8's.. i assume the mark 8 struts are different mounting wise?
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #6 –
I've been doing some research as thats the direction i'm going with my tbird.
I was amazed at the lack of airbagged fox birds/cougars given how easy it is with a seperated shock/spring setup.

I think the main issue with the mark vii air springs is that the solenoid valve is built into the spring itself.

air ride tech do a bag kit to suit the fox mustangs, they actually do 2.
one that uses the shock wave bag/struts, and their 'cool ride' setup which simply replaces the springs with airbags.

they've got some pretty good documentation on their website about the installation too.

I've got all my bags/tank/solenoids/compressor all ready to go, i just need to make up some cups.
which i've got the basic measurements for.

Theres also this car:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/751484/1987-mercury-cougar




83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi

mark 7 struts?

Reply #7 –
nevermind, looked them up and they're waaaaaaaay different..  >:l
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #8 –
just do as above.
83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi

mark 7 struts?

Reply #9 –
didn't even see that when i last posted, i guess it didn't pop up because i used 'quick reply' lol

that's a nice stance, something along the lines of what i'm looking to get fully aired out, which will leave a lot of room for 'handling characteristic' changes with using different ride heights. i wonder if my S10 cups will fit with a little tpuppies.. hmmm

and as for air ride tech, i believe their stuff is over priced.. good quality, yeah.. but the air suspension world is full of companies that sell top notch products for way less than ART.. i deal with airbagit.com and thorbecke brothers/suicide doors/thorbros.com for anything bag related. airbagit.com has a new series of bags called 'denominator I and II' and they're AMAZING.. they ride 110% better than stock suspension in my opinion.. i have 5 pairs of their 2600-II bags, waiting for projects to put them in.. they have 1/2" ports but i can pick up 1/2" NPT to 1/4" PTC fittings.. the only thing i need is a compressor, because i'm not bolting a york 210 to the motor lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #10 –
I just got a heap of stuff from airbagit, great to deal with and reasonable on freight costs.

i only mentioned ART because they've got a lot of photos and documenation on their kits, makes copying their install all the more easier :D
most of the spring saddles are ~95mm, with the exception of the rear lower which is ~60mm.

i just need to buy some tube to weld up the cups
83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi

mark 7 struts?

Reply #11 –
since i build my own control arms, the rear lowers will be outfitted with bag plates like i use my my 4 links for trucks running the 'bag on bar' setup, which makes handling sooo much better than bag over rear.. i will just have to modify cups to fit the upper coil mounts. i have a great deal of front bag cups made for S10's already, so i'll just take a set of those and modify them to work with the setup to get the height/lift i desire
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

mark 7 struts?

Reply #12 –
lookin forward to seeing how you go with it.
i'm hoping to keep the arms pretty much standard as in the event i need to swap back, replacement arms arn't the easiest to source :D
83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi
 

mark 7 struts?

Reply #13 –
pretty much, that's why my stock arms will go on a shelf and stay there, should i ever need them.. i probably won't do it until after winter.. i already have a lot on the list of things to do between now and spring
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver