snapp central
Member
- Joined
- June 8, 2011
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Vancouver, B.C. (born & raised); Prince George - seasonally
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 97 5.0 limited &97 ""SOHC
question about keeping a air ride with a completely separate monroe?
Hey Scott,
wanted to ask for your advice. I've got a 97 5.0 and I'm done with the air ride .. I would like to keep it though if I can find an air shock in which I do not have to deal with the electronic diagnostic nightmare of the stock system (compressor, wiring.. etc.). So did you use those monroes and you kept your air ride.. I mean its all automatic and non electronic ? (it doesn't involve your ford computer - its completely separate?) .. just wanted to get some advice from someone who officially did the same thing i'm interested in... I would like to keep an air ride system if its possible without dealing with the ford electronics which are all built in.
If you get a min, I really like your advice.. I'm currently checking on the monroe site for compatibility.. your shocks are a speciality shock and w/ Automatic Ride Control; Non-Electronic Adjustable Unit??
thanks for your time man
Steve
Ian - Monroe does sell a replacement for the OEM shock but it does not have the 2-way dampening valve that the oem has that gives 2 levels of firmness.The fronts were $120 ea (p/n 40005MM, 40007MM), the rears were $60 ea (p/n 40006). They are excellent and I was glad to keep my air ride susp. I hope it continues working as I will manage w/out it if it needs major $$ repair in the future, but I love the softer ride with it and the 2" rise and 1" rise in 4wdlow/4wd is nice. I don't blame you for replacing yours - it took some research to find the Monroes, which I bought from Rock Auto. As for that canister, I believe that is a fuel vapor cannister that is part of the fuel evap system.Per Ford srvc manual: "Explorer uses either one or two 2.0 liter cannister(s) mounted to the frame above the spare tire." You should keep this hooked up or your MIL light may come on, affecting your next inspection, plus it keeps gas vapors from excaping to the atmosphere= good for environment. As for the rear leaf springs, I believe the 4.0 l ARC have softer springs(at least my '95 does). The spring code is on the label at drivers side doorjamb. My code is "LH" which is a 877 lb load capacity spring vs. the non-ARC Explorer which has a 1250-lb spring. Ford OEM "LH" springs listed wholesale at $146 ea 2 years ago. Could not find after-mkt "LH" springs, but found stock 1250 lb springs for $200/pr at "Springs & Things 800-903-9019, may not work from Canada. If the rear end is sagging, I would simply replace the leaf springs. My '95 was sagging, and I went with a used pair of 1250 lb springs off a '00 Explorer. figured they were broken in a bit so might be less harsh than a new pair and closer to the original 877 lb LH springs. Cost $100 for the pair from the local salvage, and cured the sag and gave an excellent ride. As for the display problem on the center console, I do not know of a way to stop that display, however, simply leave the air ride switch in the "off" position. Each time you start the car, you will see the msg "air ride switch off". Simply touch the reset button and you are back to a normal display. Each time you start the car, you will have to hit the reset button, but the display will stay normal after that vs. the display always saying "check air ride system". Hope this has helped you as I have "ben there". Save those salvaged components - I may need them someday. Are they free except gor shipping ?? Scott
Hey Scott,
wanted to ask for your advice. I've got a 97 5.0 and I'm done with the air ride .. I would like to keep it though if I can find an air shock in which I do not have to deal with the electronic diagnostic nightmare of the stock system (compressor, wiring.. etc.). So did you use those monroes and you kept your air ride.. I mean its all automatic and non electronic ? (it doesn't involve your ford computer - its completely separate?) .. just wanted to get some advice from someone who officially did the same thing i'm interested in... I would like to keep an air ride system if its possible without dealing with the ford electronics which are all built in.
If you get a min, I really like your advice.. I'm currently checking on the monroe site for compatibility.. your shocks are a speciality shock and w/ Automatic Ride Control; Non-Electronic Adjustable Unit??
thanks for your time man
Steve