Has anyone ever really looked into converting the adjustable air suspension to hydraulics? Could it work, would it take my entire retiremnent account to do it? In theory, it seems pretty simple, must be 10,000 lowriders that could do it in their siesta!

thoretically you could do itelectrically the system could work,but there are a few problems;

 

1-driving the pump-running a low presure/high volume pump takes hp or amperage.subarus cant afford to give up much of either,so you woould need a lot of batteries inthe trunk to supply power.

 

2controlling ride height and strut pressure-ride height is actually easy to deal with as you could set up mech or proximity swtiches any way you see fit,but dialing in pressures would be tough to tackle as this will affect driveability .Too high of pressure,loss of traction and topping out,too low,sway and roll problems.There willnever be a perfect pressure for all loading and driving applications.You could make things expensive and more complicated by adding an accumulator to the systemto help with dampening,amd 4 corner proportioning,but them your suspension will cost more than your car.

Large mining trucks use hydro suspension,but it is very expensive,complicated,but neccessary in that application

 

Remember,you cant compress a fluid,thats why precise pressure control isnt needed in an air system,the air acts as a spring,hydro rides like oak.