4 Bilsteins + EE Sway Bars & ES Bushings = European Car Handeling!

[fastcougar]

This past weekend I installed 4 new bilsteins and the Explorer Express front & rear sway bars with Energy Suspension busings both front/rear. All I can say is WOW this thing can handle now! It's only limiting factor now is tire grip and wether I have something loose in the trunk area that I care about

The Bilsteins are very stiff ... more so that I thought that they would be. However, after pushing the truck to it's limits more than a few times in a very large empty parking lot, I'm glad that they are that stiff. I just need to slow now for speed bumps. My previous shocks where Monroe Sensa Tracks that I had installed at 50K miles ... 75K miles ago. Needless to say, after much abuse, they where shot. One of the rears could be compressed with absolutely no rebound ... completely shot to hell.

Installation was easy with the exception of having to compress the rear shocks to get them into the mounting bracket attached to base of the shackel "tower". It took every ounce of strengh to get it compressed 3 inches to fit onto the end of my jack. Once it was on the jack base, I let the jack take care of the other 4 inches of compression I needed. After getting the top nut off the fronts, install was a snap. Of course, 7 years of rust didn't help with any of the bolts

 

[99SportX]

Cool!!! I have been thinking about the whole EE kit that has edelbrock shocks. Is your truck lowered any?

 

[Black Magic]

Yep, sounds like a perscription for Grip!

 

[fastcougar]

No, my X isn't lowered. I enjoy driving in the snow and light offroading when the weather allows too much to lower the truck. All I can tell you is that with stock height and this combination, there is virtually NO body roll/lean during emergency lane changes (parking lot tested). I also simulated a 600ft. cone course (minus the cones - used parking lines as indicators) and body roll is minimal. The secret here is the stiff valving of the shocks. The EE socks are no doubt softer I'm sure, but have no way of knowing. I would imagine that the lowering helps counteract this and the handeling of my setup vs. theirs would be comparable - in my favor. I am considering setting up the camcorder and taping a head-on of me going nuts in the truck, just to see how much it does lean. However, with no before footage, it really doesn't capture the effect that this setup has on handeling.

 

[99SportX]

You should videotape it. Where I live, there is plenty of snow and bumpy roads, but I am willing to take the abuse of the harder shocks and a lowered explorer if I get better handling. I am pretty much on road, but some may consider that offroading.

 

[X~FACTOR]

...and this is what the lifted guy (read: Hokie) is missing out on. If he only knew the fun he could have with a lowered truck on dry pavement.

 

[fastcougar]

When the wife and child are not in the X, I drive it like a stole it ... I pretty much drive everything that way

 

[99SportX]

I like to drive like that, but sometimes I feel I am too hard on it.

 

[Hartman]

Yeah it's a big improvement. Imagine my trucks handling: EE sways, KYB Performance Shocks (STIFF but awesome performance), Energy Suspension bushings throughout, lowered 2.5 inches, and 20x10 inch wheels.

I can outperform a LOT of cars.

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by X~FACTOR
...and this is what the lifted guy (read: Hokie) is missing out on. If he only knew the fun he could have with a lowered truck on dry pavement.

I drove a 5spd Acura Legend Coupe before getting my Ex. I definately would have fun on flat pavement.. parking break powerslides anyone?

Truck's aren't for pavement. when I graduate my DD will be a Miata or Prelude or some other sport coupe... b/c they are great on pavement!

My Ex will be for weekend camping and towing

 

[99SportX]

Its a good felling when you out perform a car in an SUV. It is more impressive to see a truck act like a car, than a truck act like a real truck. I like offroading also, but I think that it is harder on the truck.

 

[Zulu95]

Basically what I have in my AWD V-8. Add to the mix new lower balljoints. It feels like my old BMW's and the sway is no more!

 

[Hokie]

More power to ya... Dropped SUV's ain't my forte but they are definately cool! If I wanted to be completely different, here's how I'd do it...



Dad and I found the car and were looking for the motor donor, but realized it would make more sense for me to sell my Acura and get an Explorer than it would to do the conversion with me at college.

BTW: its a Volvo 240 with a Mustang 5.0 HO + T5

Someday I WILL build me one! Talk about the ultimate sleeper!

 

[Bottomlesspit]

fastcouger...I just wanted to concur with your findings. I have the exact same setup as you do and enjoy it very much. Those Bilsteins are a bit stiff compared to the spongy stockers I removed...but I like it. Good flat corners with minimal body roll. Good job!
Ken

 

[Nicaraguense]

Way to go

No, My Ex isn't lowered. I enjoy driving in the snow and light off roading too much

Way to go. 4x4's WERE NOT MADE TO BE LOWERED!!!!

 

[X~FACTOR]

Re: Way to go

Originally posted by Nicaraguense
4x4's WERE NOT MADE TO BE LOWERED!!!!

Don't knock it until you try it.

 

[5.0Dad]

Congrats!

Now you have the Explorer Ford should have built!