Re: Air Shock Asorbers

Posted by BH On 2008/9/1 11:21:27

John -

I don't think anyone is trying to shoot the messenger or that you're dissing on the T-L system.

I'm gonna assume that you're suggesting air shocks with an automatic levelling control (ALC) system. Air shocks ain't exactly cheap (provided you can find a pair that will fit these cars), but I think you'll find that a modern electronic control box for automatic-levelling isn't really much cheaper than an NOS compensator control box for the T-L system these days. Although someone out west offers a compatible solid-state replacment for the original T-L compensator control box, the original can be "renewed".

Meanwhile, I haven't really heard of any insurmountable problems in renewing the T-L compensator motor. Others have reported good substitutes for the solenoids, here. Limit switches for the 55th Series seem to be plentiful, but I've heard that those for the 56th Series, though scarce, can also be renewed.

Another factor to consider is the (retrofit) manual override for the T-L system, as well as the stock cut-off switch - neither of which any manufacturer saw fit to include with their ALC system. Believe me there were several times, with later model cars, that I sure wish they had.

Most of the T-L problems that you've read about have been with cars that were severely neglected or from incompetent, previous reapir attempts. The worst thing you might face is overtravel of the load-leveling function that can destroy some critical mechanical parts, but I suspect there's an ample supply of good used parts in that regard

I think retrofitting air shocks with ALC would be a lot more difficult and costly than troubleshooting and repairing the TL system. Then, don't bet on specific electronic parts for ALC systems still being available even ten years down the road.