I have inquired about this before, but new discoveries prompt me to ask again... I am proceeding with my "two bonnys to one" project, and have the entire rear suspensions out of both. One is an FE1, the other is the F41. The FE1, years back, I had put in air struts to help while taking the car on family trips. Those struts have a lifetime replacement warr., so I intend on swapping them for new ones, free of charge, and using them in the rebuild with the F41 components. After taking everything apart, I found that the lower spring cushion on the F41 car has a thick metal plate, while the FE1 car is just rubber. Also, the upper strut mount on the F41 had a thin shim between the strut mount and the body. When I am done, I want the car to sit properly, I don't want it up in the back end. If I use the air struts with the F41 springs, will I be okay? The FE1 springs are soooo much softer... I'm afraid that with the heavier springs and air struts I might sit way too high, even with the lowest recommended pressure in the struts. Last, what about those thick plates - why were they used in the F41 and not the FE1? Was this to boost the resting height? The F41 springs are about 1.5 inches shorter than the FE1 springs. Should I use the softer springs with the air struts, then use the big sway bar for stability? This car will not be cornered hard, it will be a sunny day cruiser.... Any thoughts? Thanks, Mike.

My thoughts..mind you aren't based on fact..merely what I've overheard.

F41 is stiffer than FE1, therefore the length difference could be directly proportional to the stiffness and give when the weight is applied. Therefore they are 1.5inches shorter because they give less, therefore compress less when the weight is applied.

The mounting plate vs rubber may also be a factor of the stiffer springs.

I would believe that the air struts wouldn't cause you any issues. Like you mentioned you may need to run near minimum height.

i would sooo take the F41'* off your hands

Someday I'll probably want to shoot myself, but I don't have much of a desire for the F41 stuff. What would you be interested in? Just the rear springs? fronts too? Sway bars? Rack? I was planning on using the rack, just because the rack on the soft car has a nasty clunk in it. What'* this stuff worth to you? Mike

that F41 stuff would sell pretty fast in the for sale section. (springs and sways especially)

I know I looked a pretty long time before I found them to put into my car.