I know this has been covered before, but just wanted to provide some feedback on my recent swap from the OEM auto level air shocks to Gas shocks this past weekend.
So the Air shocks were getting to be a bit rough in the back, with the constant bounce hitting bumps, and the wife was starting to complain quite a bit. I had done the front already a few weeks prior to the Bilstein 5100's, and that drastically improved the bump steer to zero, but the rear end was still bouncing over the bumps. So I ordered a set of Monroe OESpectrums (Non BT models) for about $90 shipped, disconnected the air hoses to the air shocks, zip tied them up as well as disconnected the harness to the compressor for possible future use. We don't tow with this vehicle much since its my wife's daily drive, and we have the Titan for that. So the Gas shocks worked out really well, haven't had any issues, tested it over the normal bad roads around here, and went smooth, no rear bounce, Armada drives amazingly different now, and overall the wife is happy.
Is the stance any different since you didn't switch out the coils as well?
I've only owned Chevy's and Dodge's, still figuring out this Armada and air suspension. I'm doing the Bilstein HD's this week and seeing if I'll tackle the rear after test driving with new shocks up front.
No spring compressor needed, i had jack stand under the coil bucket, and slowly lowered the car until the mount lined up with the coil bucket and just rebolted it back up.
I just did the rear air to gas shock conversion as well. I used the suncore conversion kit. I'm not overly excited about the suncore conversion kit. It's just under $300 and my ride height is lower than it was before with the factory air shocks. Are you still happy with the moog springs? I think I may need to go that route as well since the rear end measurement on my armada is about the same as yours before the springs.
The OE coils with the auto leveling shocks are softer and about 1-1/2 coil shorter than the SE/standard suspension. Also, those suncore gas shocks are equivalent to what you'll find from Gabriel, Monroe, etc.. from the local parts store.
That's what I figured. So when I order the mog springs I need them for a SE and not LE? I have an 04 LE and when I look up the parts online i don't get the option to select le or se for the 04, but I do if I select 05. Should I just order the 05 LE springs? Thanks
Sorry to be asking so many questions I just want to get the correct parts.
I looked at the Moog Web site and the first year that they offer rear springs for the SE and also 4wd is the 2007-2010 model years. These are the ones that the OP used on his. Part number 81085. Am I correct in assuming that the 04-2010 all are interchangeable? thanks
A couple years back when I swapped to gas shocks, I kept the LE coils. It rode fine for about a year but the ride went downhill right afterwards. The LE coils are too soft and it put too much stress on the rear gas shocks.
Keep us posted and let us know how the ride feels afterwards.
I also did the same conversion with suncore gas shocks and rear height is way to low. I m getting ready to order moog springs as mentioned but quick question what all is involved with swapping out these rear springs? I swapped the shocks out no problem but I see springs might be alot more involved. And also would I have to get an alignment after swapping big tow springs out to Se moog ones?
you'll have to unbolt the lower mount for the spring, and take it out, the hardest part was the fact that the newer springs are a bit stiffer than the oem big tow ones. So you'll need a small jack to help you compress it back up so that you can bolt it back up. Just put the spring in, hold up the lower mount arm, and place jack underneath and start pushing it up, I found it easier to jack that up a bit, and then, lower the car down a bit as the stationary jack now held up the spring mount, this would allow me to align the bolt up easier. I didn't need to do an alignment. Ride was much better afterwards as well.