Anti-Rollover / Highway Modification Help!

[ClarkGriswald]

I own a '95 4x4 Explorer that goes with me, the wife & kids (2 & 4) on a lot of interstate highway driving.

I am SERIOUS about installing some kind of roll cage (padded and matching the interior)for safety as well as wider wheels to add highway stability. The owner's manual states I shouldn't use "performance" wheels or tires.

Would wider tires or wheels help prevent highway squirreliness? Would they void the warranty?

Who could install a professional stock-lookin' 6 point rollcage?

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"Are we there yet?....&*%#& 18 wheelers!...honey, more coffee, please."

 

[Rick]

I believe that adding wider wheels and tires would help your stability, especially if you leave the over all height the same. Ford believes that if you add wider wheels and tires you will try to corner faster, thinking that your Explorer is now a sports car.

Ford could refuse to honor the warranty on your wheel bearings, but that's about it. It's up to the manufacturer to prove that the modification you made caused the failure of their stock component.

There is more information about aftermarket accessories and warranties on the SEMA website. www.sema.org .

Good luck and keep the rubber side down! Dead Link Removed

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Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
www.4x4central.com

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 01-13-2000).]

 

[Ray Lobato]

Clark,
The only roll cage I have ever seen was built for Robbie Gonzalez for his 95 Explorer. It was custom made by SmittyBilt, and I believe he said it cost $4k. Here's a picture if it. roll cage

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L. Dead Link Removed
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC




[This message has been edited by Ray Lobato (edited 01-13-2000).]

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Okay, I have a dumb question.

Why are you so worried about rolling over?

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Nonoy]

I suggest you replace your stabilizer with an aftermarket. Bigger and will stabilize your explorer. www.explorerexpress.com has a nice stabilizer for the year of your explorer. A good shocks will also help. Preventing roll over should be your objectives. Dead Link Removed

Are we there yet. How long? I wanna go the bathroom. I'm hungry.....

 

[ClarkGriswald]

Thanks for everybody's input. Preventing rollover is my primary concern. The only thing I'm starting to dislike about my Explorer is it's high center of gravity & the fact that it's so narrow. Other than that, it's great -- selling it is not an option!

As most of you know, sometimes driving 75 on the interstate will get you rear-ended, especially if 18 wheelers & everybody else is going 80+mph. The family & I were doing about 80 last summer on the interstate when a wheel fell off the vehicle ahead of us & came bouncing toward us. In swerving to avoid it, I ended up putting the Explorer on 2 wheels. The incident scared me!

Any more ideas on how to make this machine safer & more stable would be appreciated!

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"Are we there yet?....&*%#& 18 wheelers!...honey, more coffee, please."

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Oh I understand now. That could definately freak a person out.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Nonoy]

You can lower your Explorer if you want. I know a lot of people do this. A combination of a good stabilizer, good shocks, and the best tires, I would feel safer.

I know the feeling, one time I tried to avoid a car in a fast lane driving irratically because he 's playing a trumpet Dead Link Removed with the musical notes in his steering wheels. How can they do this, driving the car with his knees Dead Link Removed

 

[NoBoundaries]

I have some ideas on making your Explorer safer for your family and less likely to roll over. Try don't going 80 mph with your family in the car. Just my 2 cents.

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Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

 

[ClarkGriswald]

I do not condone speeding and do not speed on the highway unless it's necessary.

When going through a major metropolitan area with EVERYBODY going over 80 mph, it's SUICIDE to try to go 65 or 75. Guaranteed, some 18 wheeler will get 5 feet off your bumper until he can pass.

I'm attempting to make my explorer as stable as possible. It's GOT to be able to go at least 80 safely when I need it to.

Thanks for all the input. I think the most practical solution is wider wheels; & tires that arent taller than stock.

 

[jwrezz]

To think that your Explorer should be able to go at least 80 on the highway is just dumb. If you're that worried about 18 wheelers tailgating (any rig driver that thinks it's his right to cruise at 80 has a death wish anyway), then stay off the highway. If you're in the right lane and want to go 70 or even 65 then that is your prerogative. It sounds to me that you like to put your wife and childrens' life at risk if you think that you should be doing "at least 80." Keep the Explorer for camping, off roading, and other outdoor fun. If you want a vehicle that is meant to be driven 80 constantly than get yourself a 'Vette, and get the family a nice mini van. They're both low to the ground, and won't roll over too easily.

 

[forbyfiev]

I hate to get wrapped up in a potential flame war, but I have to agree that an Explorer is a TRUCK, and is not designed for that kind of driving. Get a car.
Other than that you could spend a lot of time and money lowering it, putting stabilizers and wheels and tires on it, or you could just buy a CAR.

J.B.

 

[rustytr]

I would rather make the explorer safer because you feel alot safer in a bigger vehicle, and that's one reason I have never owned, or would ever own a car for daily driving(unless it's a jag or lexus Dead Link Removed. 80 is not all that bad since the speed limit in alot of places is 75, though if I had a family I would probably go slower and say to heck with the other drivers your not driving on the highway to conveniance them. Sorry I don't know where to get a roll cage Dead Link Removed.