HQ alternative to stock explorer air ride system?

[Maverick_2004]

Ok, I have a 98 Eddie Bauer, and if you know, they come from the factory with an air ride system, meant to basically keep the explorer always at an optimum height. I like the idea, but I think there are problems (leaks) with mine, plus it’s slow, and the ride is bouncy and sloppy anyway. I’d like to be able to adjust it on my own and have it do the job fast.

Within the next few months, I plan on really upgrading my explorer, specifically the engine. I’ll also want to upgrade the suspension though. I looked into the lowering system from a company called Explorer Express, and about all I like is the sway bars. I don’t necessarily want to lower my explorer, for a couple reasons, mainly: poorer ride quality; I think it looks kind of dumb if the tires are too close to the wheel wells; I live in the country with lots of hills, so I don’t want to bottom out all the time; and plus the explorer is meant to be a 4x4, so when the time calls for it (winter) I’d like her to still be capable.

However, when the time calls for higher speeds and tighter handling (or just to show off), I’d like it to be about 1 ¾” – 2” lower than the standard stance, as well as 2” – 4” higher than standard stance when in 4x4 or for whenever I want (the stock air ride system raises the rear of the vehicle about 2 inches when in 4x4 High anyway). SO, I’m not talking about laying frame with this, nor do I want to be able to climb over mountains. I just want a couple of inches for high-speed handling, and a couple of inches for tough terrain, and then overall a consistent, optimum ride height for the best day-to-day feel.

I hope anyone who reads this can understand what I’m looking for, basically: a higher-quality, faster, more interactive alternative to the stock air ride system from Ford. However, I’m new to air bag suspension systems, so I don’t know a lot about my options, but i looked on your webpage: http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/rideproe.asp and the ARC4700e and possibly the LEV6900 (when it comes out) products on that page look like what I’d want. I think that would allow me to keep it at the optimum ride height, but still be able to lower or raise it a couple inches when necessary. Please correct me if I’m wrong, and any suggestions or comments would be great.

[Maverick_2004]

BUMP


Nobody? No answers or suggestions? I just wanna know if these products would work to accomplish what I want. I may not have a little S-10 or Impala like most of you guys, but what about to each his own? Any help would be appriciated. I' m willing to spend quite a bit of money, and that' s fine with me. I' d just like some help or suggestions.

[junk runner jr]

If I had any experiance with your vehicle I would be happy to give you some advice. I figured its probably better for me to keep my mouth shut and look like an idiot rather than to open it up and prove I am one.

[B.J.]

Are you trying to replace the entire factory air suspension with our compnents, or just trying to adapt one of our compressor systems to what you' ve already got?

[Maverick_2004]

thank you for replying, and sorry i didn' t respond sooner... i had almost given up on anyone helping me here.

i want to replace everything, as much as possible. i want a new compressor, tank, probably hard-line plumbing, (i think your reply was mainly in reguards to the airbags i currently have) my explorer has air bags on the rear, but i' ll want to replace them too. but i don' t know exactly which air bags i should be looking at.

the front is just a straightforward A-arm independent suspension with shocks, so i think bags could basicly bolt straight on. the rear, however, is a rigid non-independent live axle with leaf springs and staggered shocks. i think bags should bolt on here too, but i have no idea what kind of linkage system i should use, or if i could custom modify one of the " air bar" products for use in my system (or if i would even want to do that) or i' ve also read something about removing a few of the leaf springs and using that as your linkage (but again, i don' t know any more about that than the fact that evidently someone has done it before).

i want to keep my 4-wheel drive capabilities, but that shouldn' t be a problem, because, as i mentioned in my first post, i only want about 4 inches (about 2" up and 2" down) of adjustable deviation from my optimum ride height. unlike most people, laying frame isn' t what i' m going for. i don' t want to permanently lower it, nor do i want to jack it up. i just want a little of the best of both and a good ride quality to boot.

i hope this helps a little so that you can give me information on my specific situation or what people do in any similar setup. really, just any information about the things i' ve mentioned or whatever would be fine. any adivce or recommendations would be great too.

thanks

[B.J.]

The travel you' re looking for is possible, but the parts/kits you' ll need are the question. We' ve never done an explorer in house. Just guessing here, but I think the front will be a little more trouble than you anticipate. Don' t forget that you' ve got to work around the front half shafts if you want to keep 4WD. The rear can be done with an AiroverLeaf kit, but a four-link would be the best way.