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Topic: 87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat? (Read 2276 times) previous topic - next topic

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

I was thinking about modding an SVO Mustang [that came factory with Koni adjustable struts] with the T-bird electronic adjusters.

Now I know there will be some fabbing on the top of the strut itself to make this work, but I can take care of that pretty easy.

The question is would that little motor that turns the top of the strut adjuster work simply by wiring it up to a rheostat [an electrical device that controls voltage by turning a  either clockwise or counter clockwise].

I also know that part of the motor that engages the strut adjuster is round on the Tbird, and the Koni adjuster needs something like a flat screwdriver. I was thinking to just press the round part flat with a vice so that it wold fit the slot on the Koni adjuster.

So what do you guys think?

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #1 –
Oh, just to clarify, I don't want to run the ride control computer.

I know you can adjust the strut outside the car, but it would be much easier to just be able to adjust the strut while driving

I just want to be able to change the strut from soft to firm, or firm to soft depending on road conditions, or if my wife drives the car [she would want it on the soft setting].

Say you're out driving on some back roads that happen to have killer curves, and smooth road surface. You have the settings on the ride set to firm. You deftly drive through the curves with a grin on your face as the struts [and rest of the suspension] are doing their job.

About a mile away on the same road the road surface turns to . Lots of huge bums, and pot holes.

At this point with the current external strut adjustment you would have to pull over, open the hood, and reset the struts to the soft setting.

With the internally electrical setup all you would have to do is just turn the electrical  to the desired settings without missing a beat.

.

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #2 –
Rheostat, no, definitely not... The actuators are in either firm or soft, no in between setting...  Requires reversing polarity to switch the setting... 

You could probably use something like a power window switch to reverse polarity...
 

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;455922
Rheostat, no, definitely not... The actuators are in either firm or soft, no in between setting...  Requires reversing polarity to switch the setting... 

You could probably use something like a power window switch to reverse polarity...

Thanks.

How much to the actuators turn the strut adjuster, 1/2, 3/4, or one full turn either clock/counter clock wise?

Oh, and I'm glad you understood what I was trying do.

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #4 –
The actuator can only rotate 90*, ¼ turn CW & then a ¼ CCW, polarity must be reversed to return to orig position...

As far as mode valve in shock/strut, changes are at every quarter turn either CW or CCW...

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;455932
The actuator can only rotate 90*, ¼ turn CW & then a ¼ CCW, polarity must be reversed to return to orig position...

As far as mode valve in shock/strut, changes are at every quarter turn either CW or CCW...


Thanks again.

I don't know if 1/4 turn would actually be enough to make a noticeable difference on the Koni struts.

Is there any other vehicle out there with this same kind of setup that does rotate more, as in a full turn left/right?

87-88 Thunderbird front ride adjuster. Can you make it work with a rheostat?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: M-train;455935

Is there any other vehicle out there with this same kind of setup that does rotate more, as in a full turn left/right?
Sorry, haven't a clue...