Air Ride Shocks

JJCollett · 11-22-2002, 08:43 AM

My 96 Limited has the Air ride control system. These shocks are only available from Ford. Has anyone sucessfully replaced these shocks with standard type shocks? Must springs be replaced? What does it do to the computer? What do you do with the control wires that go into the shocks?

deerejohn606 · 12-11-2002, 01:47 PM

I take it you don't care for the oem air unit. What in particular don't you like?

Alec · 12-11-2002, 01:51 PM

I think you can just turn off the system (there should be a switch in the jack compartment) and replace the shocks with standard ones.

liquidx9 · 12-11-2002, 02:30 PM

just make sure you dont drive with it turned off, or else you are in for a WORLD of trouble.. if you do decide to take them off, id take the air shocks off your hands

JJCollett · 12-11-2002, 02:45 PM

I want to replace them because they are worn out with 95,000 miles on them. To completely replace all 4 shocks is in the neighborhood of $1000.oo. I could buy a great set of high performance shocks and a set of tires for that. I am hoping to find someone who has done this before I screw something up.

Yes the automatic leveling works OK but the other features are not especially noticable to me.

liquidx9 · 12-11-2002, 02:51 PM

well, im considering this too, ill keep an eye on this thread, tell me if you do anything, i know its been done before

black02 · 12-11-2002, 09:46 PM

I would also like some info on this. I just bought a 97 limited with the air ride and I think the shocks might need to be replaced soon. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ev

Brian Ward · 12-18-2002, 08:31 PM

JJ,

My wife's truck is a 95 limited with air ride. At around 80,000 miles, BOTH of the stock rear air shocks froze up. I got sticker shock from the Ford price on these shocks so I went to Advanced Auto Parts (any auto store can get them) and bought a pair of standard air shocks for the rear. I put them in, ran the air lines to the air nozzle which I mounted on the bottom of the rear bumper and turned off the air ride switch. Unfortunately this disables the front stock air shocks by turning off the pump (due to turning off the air ride switch). I said the heck with it and pulled the front air shocks and replaced them with stock shocks. I had to crank up the torsion bars a little for ride height (since the stock air shocks also provide lift) and drove like that. You HAVE to have air shocks on the rear of the Limited to provide lift because the Limited does not have as many leafs in the rear leaf spring pack as a regular Explorer.
The stock front shocks I put in were a little shorter than the factory air shocks so I fabbed in a spacer under the front aftermarket shocks. Drives just fine now.
The information computer in the center console of the Limited says "Air ride switch off", but it beats having it say "Check air ride" all the time with a leaking factory air ride system.
As for the factory electrical connectors on the factory air shocks, after I unhooked them I zip tied them (and the factory air lines) to the frame. Having the electrical connectors unhooked won't affect the computer as long as the air ride switch is left in the off position. If you turn on the air ride switch, it will say "check air ride"
I was unable to find anyplace that makes air shocks which will fit the front of the limited. If you hear of anyplace let me know.
I am not suggesting you do what I did, only if you want to. I just wanted to let you know I had the same problem and this is what I decided to do. Let me know how it turns out for you and good luck!

JJCollett · 12-19-2002, 02:04 PM

Brian, That is the information I have been looking for. I assume you are pleased with the results of your modification and that the ride is improved with the new standard type shocks. I am even thinking about putting in high performance shocks as a replacement. My biggest concern is or was with the springs and the computer. Your comments have helped me decide not to spend the big bucks to replace the factory shocks. Now if I could only figure out how to turn off the "Air Ride Switch Off" message...

Brian Ward · 12-19-2002, 05:33 PM

I plan to hook up my wife's Limited to the scan tool where I work next week sometime. If I find anything out I will let you know. It would be nice if there is a way to take out that message. Keep me posted on your progress.

11-22-2002, 08:43 AM	#1
JJCollett Wannabe Elite Explorer Thomasville, NC 96 Limited Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Air Ride Control on a Limited My 96 Limited has the Air ride control system. These shocks are only available from Ford. Has anyone sucessfully replaced these shocks with standard type shocks? Must springs be replaced? What does it do to the computer? What do you do with the control wires that go into the shocks? Last edited by JJCollett; 12-19-2002 at 02:16 PM.

12-11-2002, 01:51 PM	#3
Alec Elite Moderator Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,061 Vehicle Specs	I think you can just turn off the system (there should be a switch in the jack compartment) and replace the shocks with standard ones. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

12-11-2002, 02:30 PM	#4
liquidx9 Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, TX (home) Ripon, WI (school) 5.0 AWD 97 Limited Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 586 Vehicle Specs	just make sure you dont drive with it turned off, or else you are in for a WORLD of trouble.. if you do decide to take them off, id take the air shocks off your hands __________________ 97 5.0 Black Limited w/ Manik Grille Guard, 4 ProComp 55w Clear Corners, SilverStars, 35/20/20 Tint Thule 4 Snowboard Rack Premier DEH-860MP/CDT Components Front-Audiobahn 600Q Components Rear/Pair Infinity Kappa Perfect Subs/Memphis 440W Amp-components/Audiobahn 600 Class D sub Amp

12-11-2002, 02:51 PM	#6
liquidx9 Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, TX (home) Ripon, WI (school) 5.0 AWD 97 Limited Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 586 Vehicle Specs	well, im considering this too, ill keep an eye on this thread, tell me if you do anything, i know its been done before __________________ 97 5.0 Black Limited w/ Manik Grille Guard, 4 ProComp 55w Clear Corners, SilverStars, 35/20/20 Tint Thule 4 Snowboard Rack Premier DEH-860MP/CDT Components Front-Audiobahn 600Q Components Rear/Pair Infinity Kappa Perfect Subs/Memphis 440W Amp-components/Audiobahn 600 Class D sub Amp

12-18-2002, 08:31 PM	#8
Brian Ward Wannabe Elite Explorer Vickery, Ohio 1998 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 124 Vehicle Specs	Limited air ride system JJ, My wife's truck is a 95 limited with air ride. At around 80,000 miles, BOTH of the stock rear air shocks froze up. I got sticker shock from the Ford price on these shocks so I went to Advanced Auto Parts (any auto store can get them) and bought a pair of standard air shocks for the rear. I put them in, ran the air lines to the air nozzle which I mounted on the bottom of the rear bumper and turned off the air ride switch. Unfortunately this disables the front stock air shocks by turning off the pump (due to turning off the air ride switch). I said the heck with it and pulled the front air shocks and replaced them with stock shocks. I had to crank up the torsion bars a little for ride height (since the stock air shocks also provide lift) and drove like that. You HAVE to have air shocks on the rear of the Limited to provide lift because the Limited does not have as many leafs in the rear leaf spring pack as a regular Explorer. The stock front shocks I put in were a little shorter than the factory air shocks so I fabbed in a spacer under the front aftermarket shocks. Drives just fine now. The information computer in the center console of the Limited says "Air ride switch off", but it beats having it say "Check air ride" all the time with a leaking factory air ride system. As for the factory electrical connectors on the factory air shocks, after I unhooked them I zip tied them (and the factory air lines) to the frame. Having the electrical connectors unhooked won't affect the computer as long as the air ride switch is left in the off position. If you turn on the air ride switch, it will say "check air ride" I was unable to find anyplace that makes air shocks which will fit the front of the limited. If you hear of anyplace let me know. I am not suggesting you do what I did, only if you want to. I just wanted to let you know I had the same problem and this is what I decided to do. Let me know how it turns out for you and good luck! __________________ Brian "Swamprat" Ward Vickery, Ohio 1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4x4 4.0L SOHC 1995 Limited 4X4 4.0L "And I, I took the road less traveled. And that has made all the difference!"

12-11-2002, 01:47 PM	#2
deerejohn606 Wannabe Elite Explorer Corinth,Maine 92XLT/96 limited Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 14 Vehicle Specs	I take it you don't care for the oem air unit. What in particular don't you like?

12-11-2002, 02:45 PM	#5
JJCollett Wannabe Elite Explorer Thomasville, NC 96 Limited Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I want to replace them because they are worn out with 95,000 miles on them. To completely replace all 4 shocks is in the neighborhood of $1000.oo. I could buy a great set of high performance shocks and a set of tires for that. I am hoping to find someone who has done this before I screw something up. Yes the automatic leveling works OK but the other features are not especially noticable to me.

12-11-2002, 09:46 PM	#7
black02 Wannabe Elite Explorer East Greenwich, RI 2002 Explorer XLT Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs	I would also like some info on this. I just bought a 97 limited with the air ride and I think the shocks might need to be replaced soon. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ev

12-19-2002, 02:04 PM	#9
JJCollett Wannabe Elite Explorer Thomasville, NC 96 Limited Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Brian, That is the information I have been looking for. I assume you are pleased with the results of your modification and that the ride is improved with the new standard type shocks. I am even thinking about putting in high performance shocks as a replacement. My biggest concern is or was with the springs and the computer. Your comments have helped me decide not to spend the big bucks to replace the factory shocks. Now if I could only figure out how to turn off the "Air Ride Switch Off" message...

12-19-2002, 05:33 PM	#10
Brian Ward Wannabe Elite Explorer Vickery, Ohio 1998 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 124 Vehicle Specs	Air Ride message I plan to hook up my wife's Limited to the scan tool where I work next week sometime. If I find anything out I will let you know. It would be nice if there is a way to take out that message. Keep me posted on your progress. __________________ Brian "Swamprat" Ward Vickery, Ohio 1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4x4 4.0L SOHC 1995 Limited 4X4 4.0L "And I, I took the road less traveled. And that has made all the difference!"