Lincoln Blackwood Air Ride

[AnthonyC]

Hello All,
I have a 2002 Lincoln Backwood with Air Ride. This truck is based on a ford F150.
I recently noticed that the air ride / compressor has not been working. I had replaced the compressor 6 Months ago.
Upon visual inspection I found the rear ride height sensor was in terrible shape eaten up by salt rust and corrosion. I replaced that sensor and no response from the system.
The fuses all read good. I connected my scanner and it sees the air ride module and reporting no codes. I disconnected the SS Relay (four Wires) and get 12 volts on the
wo heavy wires, when jumped together the compressor comes on. The third wire and the Positive 12 Volts will drive a 12 volt window motor so I think I have good power there.
The fourth wire shows 4.8 volts when the key is on. I believe that is the signal wire commanding the compressor to turn on. At that point I thought the relay was suspect and
replaced it Still nothing. It would seem to me that the compressor should come on.

At this point Im at a loss.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thank you

 

[G-155092]

Hello All,
I have a 2002 Lincoln Backwood with Air Ride. This truck is based on a ford F150.
I recently noticed that the air ride / compressor has not been working. I had replaced the compressor 6 Months ago.
Upon visual inspection I found the rear ride height sensor was in terrible shape eaten up by salt rust and corrosion. I replaced that sensor and no response from the system.
The fuses all read good. I connected my scanner and it sees the air ride module and reporting no codes. I disconnected the SS Relay (four Wires) and get 12 volts on the
wo heavy wires, when jumped together the compressor comes on. The third wire and the Positive 12 Volts will drive a 12 volt window motor so I think I have good power there.
The fourth wire shows 4.8 volts when the key is on. I believe that is the signal wire commanding the compressor to turn on. At that point I thought the relay was suspect and
replaced it Still nothing. It would seem to me that the compressor should come on.

At this point Im at a loss.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thank you

What's up Anthony , my name's Ryan I'm glad to see a recent post of a Lincoln blackwood. I myself am having some issues with my air suspension , I replaced both rear air bags with solonoids and the compressor , my bags fill up momentarily and then deflate I think it could be my ride height sensor or the air lines ( I might doing both to be safe as there almost 20 years old) but, may I ask where you purchased your height sensor ? Also with my blackwood while in park with the vehicle running I would open and close my passenger door and my compressor would kick on for the air ride just an fyi I noticed. Goodluck with your Blackwood buddy

 

[AnthonyC]

Blackwood Air ride update:
I continued working on the Blackwood Yesterday. There are various issues. Anyway after taking apart everything and checking the wiring I found the issue. The connector that plugs into the rear Height sensor was corroded to the point where it was no longer making contact. I discovered that when I back probed the wires. The sensor itself was so corroded that it cracked open and of course was no longer working however the connector did not look bad. Its fixed now and I was adjusting the ride height. I used Ride Leveling Height Sensor for Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator 2003-2006
6L1Z5A967BCPurchased from Amazon. Remove your bracket , clean and paint it. Make sure the lever works smoothly. Remove the sensor from the new bracket and install it to the OEM bracket Reinstall. Plug in the connector and your good to go
So I'm 33 inches from the ground to the front wheel opening and 35 inches in the rear.

I also Installed new Monroe HD Shocks front and rear. Nobody has a listing. So I made this selection after a bit of measuring.
MONROE 34656 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Rear; RWD;
MONROE 34655 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Front; RWD
Job done.
Now for the dead Tonneau Cover....

 

[Lucho]

Blackwood Air ride update:
I continued working on the Blackwood Yesterday. There are various issues. Anyway after taking apart everything and checking the wiring I found the issue. The connector that plugs into the rear Height sensor was corroded to the point where it was no longer making contact. I discovered that when I back probed the wires. The sensor itself was so corroded that it cracked open and of course was no longer working however the connector did not look bad. Its fixed now and I was adjusting the ride height. I used Ride Leveling Height Sensor for Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator 2003-2006
6L1Z5A967BCPurchased from Amazon. Remove your bracket , clean and paint it. Make sure the lever works smoothly. Remove the sensor from the new bracket and install it to the OEM bracket Reinstall. Plug in the connector and your good to go
So I'm 33 inches from the ground to the front wheel opening and 35 inches in the rear.

I also Installed new Monroe HD Shocks front and rear. Nobody has a listing. So I made this selection after a bit of measuring.
MONROE 34656 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Rear; RWD;
MONROE 34655 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Front; RWD
Job done.
Now for the dead Tonneau Cover....

I just got this truck and I need to replace the air rear suspension (2002 BW), it looks like the part is hard to find? I found this part online though:
Suncore Industries - Complete Air Suspension Compressor W/ Bracket - Navigator Expedition & Blackwood

Do you think this will work? Is there a coil convert kit option?

Any suggestions appreaciated!

Thank you for your time

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[AnthonyC]

You can call Suncore and have them make a set of air springs for you. The compressor looks correct. (Yes parts dont readily exist for these trucks). Look at parts for a Navigator or an F150. The Blackwood is an F150 with a Navigator look alike front end. The air springs for an F150 will work as well with some modifications. It is possible to use F150 rear leaf springs and eliminate the air springs. I like my truck original. Modifying the truck in that way devalues it. Of course everyone will have an opinion, but that's me.
As for exhaust, Gibson Exhaust made me a custom S/S dual exhaust. A little pricey but well worth it.
So what I do is to partner with these manufacturers and have them build what I need. Also research parts and see what can be modified to suite your needs.

 

[Lucho]

You can call Suncore and have them make a set of air springs for you. The compressor looks correct. (Yes parts dont readily exist for these trucks). Look at parts for a Navigator or an F150. The Blackwood is an F150 with a Navigator look alike front end. The air springs for an F150 will work as well with some modifications. It is possible to use F150 rear leaf springs and eliminate the air springs. I like my truck original. Modifying the truck in that way devalues it. Of course everyone will have an opinion, but that's me.
As for exhaust, Gibson Exhaust made me a custom S/S dual exhaust. A little pricey but well worth it.
So what I do is to partner with these manufacturers and have them build what I need. Also research parts and see what can be modified to suite your needs.

I cannot find the air springs therefore I like your option to use F150 rear leaf springs and eliminate the air springs. Is that an easy thing or requieres modifications? What year F150 Rear Leaf Springs should I buy?

 

[AnthonyC]

I would think a 4 door f150 of that vintage would work

This is what I found for an F150. They would need a modification to fit in the upper air spring perch.

Ford F150 F150 Heritage F250 Rear Driver & Passenger Side 2 Piece Air Spring Set TRQ PAA84910

Order your 2 Piece Air Spring Set - today at 1AAuto.com. Up To 50% Off Prices EveryDay! Get Fast & Free Shipping On Premium Quality Parts. Shop Now & Save!

www.1aauto.com

Do you have a laptop/code reader with 2-way communication? You will need to disable the air system........

Heres two more part number you can search for.

 

[Lucho]

Thank you!

______________________________

 

[JSkee]

Do you know the exact modification that would have to be made in order for it to fit in the top perch?

 

[Chuck Dea]

Do you know the exact modification that would have to be made in order for it to fit in the top perch?

Did you get an answer as to the modification?

 

[Arsenic]

Blackwood Air ride update:
I continued working on the Blackwood Yesterday. There are various issues. Anyway after taking apart everything and checking the wiring I found the issue. The connector that plugs into the rear Height sensor was corroded to the point where it was no longer making contact. I discovered that when I back probed the wires. The sensor itself was so corroded that it cracked open and of course was no longer working however the connector did not look bad. Its fixed now and I was adjusting the ride height. I used Ride Leveling Height Sensor for Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator 2003-2006
6L1Z5A967BCPurchased from Amazon. Remove your bracket , clean and paint it. Make sure the lever works smoothly. Remove the sensor from the new bracket and install it to the OEM bracket Reinstall. Plug in the connector and your good to go
So I'm 33 inches from the ground to the front wheel opening and 35 inches in the rear.

I also Installed new Monroe HD Shocks front and rear. Nobody has a listing. So I made this selection after a bit of measuring.
MONROE 34656 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Rear; RWD;
MONROE 34655 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Front; RWD
Job done.
Now for the dead Tonneau Cover....

I used the

8W1Z5359A​

From Amazon. I had to remove the 6” linkage and use my original 3” one. Works and fits perfectly. I also uses the

Blackwood Air ride update:
I continued working on the Blackwood Yesterday. There are various issues. Anyway after taking apart everything and checking the wiring I found the issue. The connector that plugs into the rear Height sensor was corroded to the point where it was no longer making contact. I discovered that when I back probed the wires. The sensor itself was so corroded that it cracked open and of course was no longer working however the connector did not look bad. Its fixed now and I was adjusting the ride height. I used Ride Leveling Height Sensor for Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator 2003-2006
6L1Z5A967BCPurchased from Amazon. Remove your bracket , clean and paint it. Make sure the lever works smoothly. Remove the sensor from the new bracket and install it to the OEM bracket Reinstall. Plug in the connector and your good to go
So I'm 33 inches from the ground to the front wheel opening and 35 inches in the rear.

I also Installed new Monroe HD Shocks front and rear. Nobody has a listing. So I made this selection after a bit of measuring.
MONROE 34656 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Rear; RWD;
MONROE 34655 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Front; RWD
Job done.
Now for the dead Tonneau Cover....

 

[Arsenic]

I used the

8W1Z5359A​

From Amazon. I had to remove the 6” linkage and use my original 3” one. Works and fits perfectly. I found these airbags on EBay. I had to shave the edge off the top so they would fit into the recess attached to the truck frame.

______________________________

 

[Arsenic]

Not sure how the translator earbuds got included

 

[Arsenic]

I used the

8W1Z5359A​

From Amazon. I had to remove the 6” linkage and use my original 3” one. Works and fits perfectly. I also uses the

For the dead tonneau cover. Try clearing all trouble codes. If your battery has been disconnected, it will trigger several codes and it will knock out the tonneau cover operation. Clearing the all the codes might fix it.

 

[insidemyhead1974]

I have 2002 Lincoln Blackwood. I'm trying to replace the air bags. There all discontinued I cant find them any where Anybody have any ideas? thanks Robert

 

[Action]

You might not find listing for Blackwood replacement parts.
This is because the Blackwood was made in so few numbers aftermarket parts makers d nit list it separately.

Search using 2002 Navigator. It is the same suspension (if 4 wheel air suspension) using the same parts.
Arnott and a few others will make replacement air bags.
Air bags will be listed on eBay as well.

Action

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[insidemyhead1974]

thank you for a quick response So a 2002 Lincoln navigator air bags will work on a 2002 Blackwood with no problem

 

[insidemyhead1974]

thank you for a quick response So a 2002 Lincoln navigator air bags will work on a 2002 Blackwood with no problem Any fitment problems?

 

[Action]

I looked and the answer is definately yes for rear air bags.
And Ford Expedition is the same as well.

Action

 

[Action]

Again I checked the front and the answer is yes.

To clarify, air suspension was standard on Navigator for all 4 corners.
Optional on Ford Expedition.

All of those models (including yours) were build off of the tenth generation F150 platform.
For Lincoln Navigator, (Which includes Blackwood) this spanned the years of 1998 to 2002.

Blackwood was only offered for one year in the US. 2002 and only 3383 were made
Making Blackwood a rather unique Lincoln.
The Blackwood was made from the Navigator which was made off of the F 150 platform.
The cab is F150.
Things that are unique to the Blackwood will be extremely dificult to find or replace. Which is basically the box, rear bumper and interior trim.

Everything else as far as mechanicals is pretty much a Navigator.

Take care of that rare ride.

Action