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Aftermarket Air struts with stock compressor/ management system
I am looking to buy a UCF21 from Japan and would like to have air suspension. I know that the stock air struts go out after some time and want to plan ahead for when that happens. I was wondering if I would be able to replace the stock air struts with aftermarket air struts like the air lift performance air struts or hybrid air system and hook up the factory air lines into aftermarket air struts so that I don't have to buy a new air compressor or air management system. I am planning to buy an aftermarket air ride controller so adjusting the pressure above or below stock would not be an issue. I just want to know if it would be possible to plug in the stock air system into aftermarket struts.
very good question, which is something i am also curious to find out. on paper it should work but there are some hurdles and considerations.
first hurdle is to get air line to connect to the aftermarket struts. you would have to adapt an airline to fit the factory feed line.
second, the factory compressor is much slower to react in raising/lowering since there is no air tank to hold some volume.
third, the valves, ride height sensors, and compressor themselves are likely just as old as the air bags and will likely fail as well.
okay good to know, I will probably just play around with a used aftermarket air ride controller until the system inevitably goes out, sell the controller for the same price that i bought it for and then switch to a set of fortune auto coilovers. Air would be nice but too expensive and too much of a hassle.
crazy you can even find an air ride controller for the LS, let alone someone willing to buy it for the same price! either way it sounds like you will enjoy the car regardless of the route you take! share pics of when you get the celsior!
true, I might just switch straight to coilovers in that case since that's the route I ultimately want to take. This is the Celsior that I am ordering. I just gave the go ahead and it should be arriving from Japan in 7 weeks. It got 5/5 exterior rating and 4/5 interior rating in the auction sheet and only has 88, 000 km, absolutely mint condition. Also has the CF package and has lots of options like power rear sunshade, parking sensors, heated rear seats and reclining rear seats. It kinda sucks how it has the touchscreen navigation though because I want to install a double din and I will need to get the non-nav climate controls in order to do that.
05-03-21, 02:13 PM
Aftermarket Air struts with stock compressor/ management system
