Adjustable suspention question...

Topic: Adjustable suspention question... (Read 2360 times) previous topic - next topic

Adjustable suspention question...

November 20, 2006, 01:46:37 PM

Hello!,

This summer I Purchased from a Guy near Me, a set of electric adjustable shocks absorber (used), from a fox turbocoupe, I have the switches for the dash, the connectors, the relays, and the actuators for that...

My question, BEFORE I install these shocks, make My own harness, and connect all of this, or made a manual actuation by the dash switch, on the FIRM position, these shocks are more firm compared with My monroe standard shocks I have on My car???, otherwise, a standard shocks absorber equal a FIRM or RIDE position of the adjustable shocks or the standard shocks are middle of the two position of the adjustable shocks...

And if one pf You have or was have this suspention on their turbocoupe, let Me know Your experience with that, and if is a good idea to install on My 85 bird or stay with the standard shocks...

I ask before because is a lot of job to make a wiring harness for that...

And YES My adjustable shocks and actors are goods, I saw just in case:grinno:

Thanks a lot,

Regards,

Dom. (the four eye bird!!!)

Adjustable suspention question...

Reply #1 – November 20, 2006, 02:03:22 PM

The only issue with installing the PRC struts/shocks...there are no new replacements, so once they wear out...unless you find some more good used ones, you will wind up not being able to use the electronics anyway....

Adjustable suspention question...

Reply #2 – November 20, 2006, 02:33:50 PM

I've got them on mine, but I just set 'em on firm, and stuck em on.
Soft suspensions are for ole ladies, guys with back problems, and taking babies for rides

Seriously, I didnt use any of the wiring, because, like Chuck mentioned, there are no new parts, and as i was doing the 11" brake conversion on the front anyway, I wanted to use better shocks and struts than what were on mine.
For no more work than what it was, and having the parts from the wrecked TC, it was worth it to me.

Plus, the PRC uses inputs from the steering, throttle position, brake levels, and if i'm not mistaken, the speed of the car.
So basically, to set one up like you'd want would be a total nightmare, unless you just wanted it to switch back and forth from firm to "soft", with a 2 way switch. That would be a piece of cake, and in truth, I was going to do that with mine, but figured it would be a waste of time if those shocks/struts went bad fairly quickly. Sorry for the long-assed reply....

PRC struts...

Reply #3 – November 20, 2006, 02:48:36 PM

Hello,

Quote from: Chuck W;114683

The only issue with installing the PRC struts/shocks...there are no new replacements, so once they wear out...unless you find some more good used ones, you will wind up not being able to use the electronics anyway....

I have TWO set for front and rear (by chance), and drive My car around only 5 or 6 months a year (winter is stored in My garage), so the struts are more longer life, unless I s one on a bump or other hazard...

And YES Ford no longer produce these struts, and even Yes, I imagine the outrageous price of that, that struts probably cost a lot of cash when i produced:beatyoass:

And I have all of the electronic/electric setup for that option, but I'll probably install manual, smooth or firm, this will only a two wires by actuators, and two relays, and I'll use the antenna switch I have on the dash, currently not in use...

The complete electronic (automatic) setup need a bunch of wire, this is because when setted to an AUTO mode the car is smooth by default, is firm only when You turn a strong curve (inside the computer) at 80mph it goes FIRM (the green wire from the sensor on the tranny) and finally a gizmo on the brake line detect a high pressure to turn firm automatically when You brake firmly...

And I don't need this lot of features, I'll install manually with a switch, firm or smooth...

Thanks,

Dom.

PRC suspension...

Reply #4 – November 20, 2006, 02:56:03 PM

Hello,

Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;114686

I've got them on mine, but I just set 'em on firm, and stuck em on.
Soft suspensions are for ole ladies, guys with back problems, and taking babies for rides :grinno:

Seriously, I didnt use any of the wiring, because, like Chuck mentioned, there are no new parts, and as i was doing the 11" brake conversion on the front anyway, I wanted to use better shocks and struts than what were on mine.
For no more work than what it was, and having the parts from the wrecked TC, it was worth it to me.

Plus, the PRC uses inputs from the steering, throttle position, brake levels, and if i'm not mistaken, the speed of the car.
So basically, to set one up like you'd want would be a total nightmare, unless you just wanted it to switch back and forth from firm to "soft", with a 2 way switch. That would be a piece of cake, and in truth, I was going to do that with mine, but figured it would be a waste of time if those shocks/struts went bad fairly quickly. Sorry for the long-assed reply....

Don't worry fot the long reply, I like to read :D ... and I'm reply loooooong too...

I say to Chuck I'll finally install (IF I install) with a manual switch, this save to Me a bunch of wires to install, But on a FIRM position, these struts are more firm of a normal shocks absorbers???, if it identical, I'll don't install because I'll probably always on a firm mode...

Your experience with these struts on Your car are more firm or equal of a "normal" struts?...

Best regards,

Dom.

Adjustable suspention question...

Reply #5 – November 20, 2006, 03:34:15 PM

I have never used the PRC stuff as I didn't think it was worth the hassle in the long run. (and all my cars have been 83-85's that never came with it stock).

Perhaps some of the guys with the PRC system on their cars will chime in.

PRC struts.

Reply #6 – November 20, 2006, 03:53:04 PM

Hi!,

Quote from: Chuck W;114700

I have never used the PRC stuff as I didn't think it was worth the hassle in the long run. (and all my cars have been 83-85's that never came with it stock).

Perhaps some of the guys with the PRC system on their cars will chime in.

Me too I never owned or tested a car with this kind of suspension, fot that I ask before working on that, if is just to add a gadget on My car, I'll no do this, I'm not a useless gadget guy, more on My car, My base 85 bird was full equipped by Me last winter, but only with useable stuff, and luxury addition, not more...

I don't have a neon tube under the car and a red or violet truck markers under the dash

If these struts is not a significant and more firm to drive, I'll abandon this idea...

Thanks for Your reply...

Dom...

Adjustable suspention question...

Reply #7 – November 20, 2006, 04:46:18 PM

In "firm" the suspension is fairly tight, but after 75-80K mi the soft is just mush... Check your units to see if they still have any real damping, all that is necessary is to rotate the pin in the top of the shock/strut 1/4 turn and push/pull on them...

I've set my rears on firm and disconnected the connectors, at the track I switch to auto, which loosens up the frontend for better weight transfer...

Adjustable suspention question...

Reply #8 – November 20, 2006, 06:16:46 PM

I think Tokico made the PRC struts and shock. I know thay're not available anymore... Anyway, I liked the PRC system on the old 87 TC. The PRC stuff is definitely firmer (when set to "firm") than the Monroe sensa's that I have on my 87. I usually set mine on soft when cruising on the freeway and firm around town. "Soft" was nice on the freeway! It was cool being able to switch between the 2 settings. I think the system is too complex to retro fit to anything. You'd be better off converting to Mustang stuff and getting the Tokico 5 ways if you want adjustability... It'll cost ya though $$$.

PRC suspension...

Reply #9 – November 21, 2006, 01:53:23 PM

Hello,

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;114717

In "firm" the suspension is fairly tight, but after 75-80K mi the soft is just mush... Check your units to see if they still have any real damping, all that is necessary is to rotate the pin in the top of the shock/strut 1/4 turn and push/pull on them...

I've set my rears on firm and disconnected the connectors, at the track I switch to auto, which loosens up the frontend for better weight transfer...

When I purchased the whole lot of parts, I checked what You say, pressed each struts firmly, and some was on smooth and firm, turned about 1/4 turn the pin on the center, and on a firm position is very very hard to push down, and on the smooth is so easy to push down, the struts appear to be very very good and not very used, not rusty on exterior, I guess these struts have not mileage...

I'll finally try one set on the rear on My garage this winter (the car is stored), on the rear is more easy to install compared to the front, and if I see a big difference with My sensatrac I have on the car, I'll install the four set, and make an harness to switch manually from firm and smootk, it's more easy of making the complete computer harness, this is a job

Your idea for the weight transfer on Your bird is good, but My bird have a stock carbed V6, it's useless for Me, not enougn power :D

Regards,

Dom.

PRC suspension...

Reply #10 – November 21, 2006, 02:02:00 PM

Hi!,

Quote from: Dogcharmer;114736

I think Tokico made the PRC struts and shock. I know thay're not available anymore... Anyway, I liked the PRC system on the old 87 TC. The PRC stuff is definitely firmer (when set to "firm") than the Monroe sensa's that I have on my 87. I usually set mine on soft when cruising on the freeway and firm around town. "Soft" was nice on the freeway! It was cool being able to switch between the 2 settings. I think the system is too complex to retro fit to anything. You'd be better off converting to Mustang stuff and getting the Tokico 5 ways if you want adjustability... It'll cost ya though $$$.

I'll finally try the stuff I have, because I don't want to put a lot of ca$h on that, I'll install with manually switcheable on the dash, and more simple to make an harness for that...

You responded exactly what I wanted on You compare the FIRM with Your sensatrac (I have too on My bird), For that I'll try this on the garage this winter on the rear, for a test I prefer to test on the rear cauz is more easy of the front...

The Mustang struts You say is electrical actuated or manually (by hand) adjusted ????...

Thank for the info...

Regards,

Dom.