INCOMING - Bought some Speedline Magnesium Saleen rims for 2000 Explorer Limited - ?s

[CDW6212R]

I don't believe there is any connection between the ARC module and the PCM.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

I don't believe there is any connection between the ARC module and the PCM.

According to the dealer today there is an item in the Explorer Computer Menu for the Load Leveling Rear Suspension - Ride Height Calibration.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

Continued from my other thread

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=427214

Truck has been lowered and what a difference.

Also per this thread

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434060

No need to relocate the rear load leveling sensor ( ARC ) when doing the lowering up to 2".

Photos to follow. In the meantime - here is a photo of the Saleen lowering blocks installed at the rear.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

Had some rain - so a bit dirty from the road grime - but looking much better after the drop

Included a before shot

 

[CDW6212R]

Good work Jim, that looks great.

I've been out of town for a funeral over a week now.

BTW, you might ought to buy another pair of rear ARC shocks, given how expensive the new ones are. I got mine from an eBay seller who had hundreds of them in about 2006. I think I still have one in my watch list, I think the cost was still not too bad, $40 or $60.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

Good work Jim, that looks great.

I've been out of town for a funeral over a week now.

BTW, you might ought to buy another pair of rear ARC shocks, given how expensive the new ones are. I got mine from an eBay seller who had hundreds of them in about 2006. I think I still have one in my watch list, I think the cost was still not too bad, $40 or $60.

Thanks! Can u send me the link?

Did u see my note about sensor and no need for relocation if you do the computer re calibration?

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks! Can u send me the link?

Did u see my note about sensor and no need for relocation if you do the computer re calibration?

How did that work, the re-calibration? I'd like to tweak my 99 Limited some day when I get back to the suspension. The way I moved the height sensor, I had to make sure not to move it so much that the ARC would let too much air out(deflated air bladder would be bad to drive that way too much).

I'll find that link soon, bedtime now. Night,

 

[MuscleJunkie]

How did that work, the re-calibration? I'd like to tweak my 99 Limited some day when I get back to the suspension. The way I moved the height sensor, I had to make sure not to move it so much that the ARC would let too much air out(deflated air bladder would be bad to drive that way too much).

I'll find that link soon, bedtime now. Night,

Basically the process went like so

* Turn off rear load leveling via switch in back

* Lower truck (2" Saleen Lowering Blocks and TT in front

* Drive truck around to settle suspension with load leveling off

* Hook up Ford Scan Tool - enter menu for Ride Height Calibration and perform procedure (see below)

* Align Vehicle

The whole thing that led me to this was this post regarding the load leveling on the 2000 Expedition and Navigator which might be similar??

Ride Height Adjustments

Special Tool(s) Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS)
418-F224

New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester
418-F052 or equivalent scan tool


Inflation and Deflation of the Air Suspension System

WARNING: Do not remove an air spring under any circumstances when there is pressure in the air spring. Do not remove any components supporting an air spring without either exhausting the air or providing support for the air spring to prevent vehicle damage or personal injury.

WARNING: Disconnecting an air line that is connected to the air compressor can cause personal injury or damage to components as high pressure air is vented uncontrolled.

Turn the air suspension switch on.
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.
Connect scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
Select Air Suspension Control Module under Active Command Mode:
VENT FRNT to deflate the front down.
LIFT FRNT to inflate the front up.
VENT REAR to deflate the rear down.
LIFT REAR to inflate the rear up.

Calibration


Front Ride Height Resetting — Clear B2140 DTC

Turn the ignition key OFF and turn it back to RUN; exit the vehicle, close all doors and allow the system to vent the vehicle down to kneel height (approximately 30 seconds).
Connect scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
Select the proper vehicle year, model and engine type.
Select 4WAS-AIR SUSP/EVO (4x2 and 4x4) module.
Select "Parameter Reset Command (Clear Ride Height) under Active Command Modes" menu, trigger through the warning messages and reset (trigger from OFF to ON):
scan tool version 10.0 — "Front" and "Rear."
scan tool version 11.0+ — "Front CLR."
Back out the torsion bar adjustment bolt (approximately 40 mm from the bolt head to the bottom surface of the torsion bar adjuster).
Deflate the front air shocks by using the scan tool "Vent Front" command in "Air Suspension Control" menu (should take about 30 seconds), and jounce the front of the vehicle to fully lower the front of the vehicle.
Adjust and measure the vehicle ride height; refer to Section 204-01B .
NOTE: Do not save rear ride heights. The air suspension control module has precalibrated values already stored. Refer to Rear Ride Height Mechanical Resetting.

Select the "Save Calibration Values (Store Ride Height)" scan tool command to calibrate the air suspension control module. Trigger through the warning message(s) and save "FRONT" (trigger from OFF to ON).

Rear Ride Height Mechanical Resetting

Turn the ignition key ON.
Connect scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
Select the proper vehicle year, model and engine type.
Select 4WAS-AIR SUSP/EVO (4x2 and 4x4) module.
Measure vehicle rear height (driver side) from the bottom of the frame to the rear jounce bumper bolt rear side of head base.

Using scan tool, adjust rear height to 146.8 ± 2 mm by moving the rear of the vehicle down using the active command ("VENT_REAR") or by moving the rear of the vehicle up ("LIFT_REAR") in PID RHGTSEN.
Monitor the rear height sensor voltage on the right side of the scan tool screen.
Loosen the ball stud nut on the rear air suspension height sensor bracket and adjust it by moving it with the air suspension height sensor up or down until the voltage is 2.66 ± 0.02 volt.
Tighten the ball stud nut.


Rear Ride Height Electronic Resetting

Connect scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.
Select the proper vehicle year, model and engine type.
Select 4WAS-AIR SUSP/EVO (4x2 and 4x4) module.
Select the active commands menu "Save Calibration (Store Ride Height)." Trigger through the warning message.
Monitor the RHGTSEN PID.
NOTE: Do not press the trigger after selecting REAR.

Select REAR.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the rear height sensor from the upper ball stud.

Disconnect the rear height sensor from the lower ball stud.

Slowly compress/extend the rear height sensor until the rear height sensor voltage is 2.66 ± 0.02 volts.
Press the trigger to save rear ride height settings (turn from OFF to ON); this will calibrate the air suspension control module.
Perform the Rear Ride Height Mechanical Resetting. If the rear height mechanical resetting has been performed, clear DTCs and run On-Demand Self-Test.

Here is another before and after shot from a more similar angle - before lowering and rims and after.

 

[Limited02]

New wheels and stance looks great!

 

[MuscleJunkie]

New wheels and stance looks great!

Thanks

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks for posting that diagnostics page, I'll look into it when I get back to my truck.

Here's the link to the eBay listing, this is for both OEM rear ARC shocks for the 95-01 Explorers;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161027207945?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

$83.97 is a great price for both, total. Inspect them carefully, the two I got looked like they were unpacked or stored outside the boxes(scuffs and scrapes).

 

[YTF0rd]

That looks awesome.

post a front shot so I can see that new hood. please.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

That looks awesome.

post a front shot so I can see that new hood. please.

Here you go

 

[MuscleJunkie]

Thanks for posting that diagnostics page, I'll look into it when I get back to my truck.

Here's the link to the eBay listing, this is for both OEM rear ARC shocks for the 95-01 Explorers;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161027207945?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

$83.97 is a great price for both, total. Inspect them carefully, the two I got looked like they were unpacked or stored outside the boxes(scuffs and scrapes).

Don - question. So do you feel that replacing these rear air shocks is a better option than some other shock all together? Like ditching the rear load leveling suspension? I saw some older posts that you were considering Bilsteins. Did you ever do that? If you ditch the rear system - how do you get rid of the error on the dash?

Also when replacing these rear shocks with the ones at the link - what about the fronts - what would be a good option. Also the rear 3rd shock. I figure I should go ahead and do them all at once.

Thanks

 

[CDW6212R]

Don - question. So do you feel that replacing these rear air shocks is a better option than some other shock all together? Like ditching the rear load leveling suspension? I saw some older posts that you were considering Bilsteins. Did you ever do that? If you ditch the rear system - how do you get rid of the error on the dash?

Also when replacing these rear shocks with the ones at the link - what about the fronts - what would be a good option. Also the rear 3rd shock. I figure I should go ahead and do them all at once.

Thanks

The ARC system is excellent when it's working and taken care of. I'd fix it if possible.

The front shocks on your 2000 Limited are normal shocks, only the 95-98's had four ARC shocks. I like the Bilsteins, they are very good, solid, and on the firm side. I put all five on my Mountaineer.

The fifth shocks is very valuable for handling purposes, it dampens side to side movement of the back end in corners. Buy the Bilstein for that, and the Explorer Express rear sway bar. You will love the much more secure feeling they give the truck.

I'll try Koni shocks for my Mountaineer the next time I revamp its suspension, which only has about 40k miles on it since I rebuilt the front stuff.


Keep the ARC air line connections cleaned, and lubricate the rear height sensor ends(the ball sockets). Dirt and debris, and corrosion are the biggest enemies of the ARC parts. The air compressor will have worn out mounting bushings, and those you can rebuild with some thought and effort.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

The ARC system is excellent when it's working and taken care of. I'd fix it if possible.

The front shocks on your 2000 Limited are normal shocks, only the 95-98's had four ARC shocks. I like the Bilsteins, they are very good, solid, and on the firm side. I put all five on my Mountaineer.

The fifth shocks is very valuable for handling purposes, it dampens side to side movement of the back end in corners. Buy the Bilstein for that, and the Explorer Express rear sway bar. You will love the much more secure feeling they give the truck.

I'll try Koni shocks for my Mountaineer the next time I revamp its suspension, which only has about 40k miles on it since I rebuilt the front stuff.


Keep the ARC air line connections cleaned, and lubricate the rear height sensor ends(the ball sockets). Dirt and debris, and corrosion are the biggest enemies of the ARC parts. The air compressor will have worn out mounting bushings, and those you can rebuild with some thought and effort.

What Bilstein Shocks are recommended? Since the truck is lowered would it make any difference.

Also noticed I am about sitting on my front bump stops. Should they be shaved or is there a better suitable replacement?

Thanks Don!

 

[CDW6212R]

The one Bilstein shock set made for the Explorer works for lowering.

Shaving the front bump stops seems common, but the EE parts are the best if you can get them(they are very high).

 

[YTF0rd]

Here you go

IMPRESSED!!!!

looks amazing

 

[MuscleJunkie]

The one Bilstein shock set made for the Explorer works for lowering.

Shaving the front bump stops seems common, but the EE parts are the best if you can get them(they are very high).

Thanks Don. I talked to Dave at EE and he said the bump stops they used for the front were the FORD parts used on the trucks with front ARC. Apparently they are a different shape and smaller than the ones on my 2000 Limited with Rear Load Leveling Suspension.

Anyone have a part number for those particular bump stops?

I ordered the rear shocks you gave me on the link and fixing to order the Bilsteins.

Thanks Don

 

[MuscleJunkie]

IMPRESSED!!!!

looks amazing

Thank You