ARC vs After Market AIR Shocks - Ride Height

[Kainon]

Ok.. I'm sorry for this.

Just need to hear it from people that have done the switch from the ARC system to say Monroe's air shocks..

Is the ride height the same in 2WD as with the ARC Shocks ?

Does the ride height CHANGE from 2WD to 4WD HI to 4WD LO ?

thanks..

So 42 reads, and no responce.. cool.

I'm asking because I've read different results after removing the ARC shocks.

I've seen a posting that said " just do it. everyone else has ", Ok.. yea that talked me into it.

I've read, 2" lift when shifted to 4wd and another 1" lift when shifting to 4 LO, kinda answers my questions but why would you suffer with a low rider in 2wd ?

 

[bb56]

Monroe ARC replacement shocks work (with help)

Kainon,
I replaced the rear shocks only so far in my 1996 limited with Monroes. The ARC functions all work, but the ride sucks. Actually, this is the second pair - the first set would not compress properly because the air would not come out (this is before they were installed and I was trying to prime them). I ended up putting them in anyway, but the ride was dangerously bouncy. I called Monroe and after pulling them and checking a few things I waited 6 months for things to settle down but they still were too stiff/bouncy. I called Monroe again and they sent 2 replacements which IMHO was EXCELLENT customer service.

The new pair were better, but one would not compress entirely. The other shock would, but took a lot of pressure (I sat on it). Since I now had spares, I took the first set out and looked into the air charging port. While I compressed it, I took a wooden dowel and inserted into the hole and voila! - I released the air and the shock compressed normally.

So the problem was that the air would go in fine, but not come out very well. The shock that worked better, let the air out, but somewhat slowly. In order to get them to work correctly, I extended them fully to ensure the bladder was not folded up. I used compressed air to do this - works great. Then I inserted a sharp drill bit into the air hole and cut through what I call the hanging chad (like the Florida election;-). It seemed like a piece of the rubber bladder that should have been cut when the air port was attached was kind of hanging in the way making a one-way valve. Air could go in, but the chad closed up the hole before it could escape.

I worked the drill bit by hand being careful not to mar the port walls and finally had both shocks releasing air. I won't say that they were perfect as there was still some resistance at the end of the compression stroke.

I installed the modified new ones and all the functions work from the ARC controller. Ride height changes in 4WD LOW, and I only had one ARC Check light since I installed them. The car still auto levels, but I notice that they don't move the car as quickly.

I have to say, that the ride is still a bit too stiff for me. My friends with other trucks thought my Explorer rode like a dream compared to their Chevy and Toyota trucks. Now they notice it doesn't ride so nice any longer.

I have to do the fronts soon, and I wish there was an alternative to Monroe, but I can't find them. I know your post is a year old, but let me know if you want to buy the first new pair (rears) - they are like new (6 months in the car and the ports are now fixed).

Hope this answers your question (and others with the same question).

Cheers,
bb56

 

[Kainon]

would love to, still need them, i was going to get a set with tax money but the wife had other thoughts. I found them for $80 each, at the moment I'm out of work and broke. my ARC pump isnt working I need to try again to remove it as the bolts are rusted, I'd probably put in a T and a couple lines with a air fitting, and do it manually. I think my system is OK, just the pump is rusted and dead. looks like lines and wires are still there.. 205000 dont see replacing the vehicle anytime soon, wife is getting used to the low-rider rough ride though. I hate it. I'll keep in mind. kainon @ kainonmedia.com

 

[bb56]

Yep - the back of the car under the spare is pretty corroded on mine as well. I had to remove the plate that holds the Evap canister and the entire plate was flaking away. A trip to the local JY got me a newer plastic one for $10. Luckily, I didn't have to remove the ARC pump - all those bolts are rusted too. Keep spraying them as many times as you think of it. I used Kroil - works great. Also, you might spray the ports where the air hose goes into the shock - I was hoping it would release mine, but I ended up cutting it flush with the old port, peeling back the outside layer to insert it into the new shock. Check your local JY for a used pump and bracket and give me a shout when you're ready to do the job.

bb56

 

[guilateen]

Check kit Gabrial they make a model for my Chevy Venture. I don't have the air ride system in it so I manually pump it. Works great when I'm loaded on my trips. I believe it was Jc Whitney that had them. They recieved great reviews. I set up a dual shock system and leave them empty or little pressure not not loaded. The t fitting on them are plastic and are a little brittle but I replaced mine with a metal set. Good luck I'm a third gen owner so never looked up your year.

 

[95LimtedExplorer]

I replaced my air shocks with the oem air shocks from monroe, they look just like the factory ones. I gutted the old arc system and added a kit from air lift to provide the air pressure for the shocks, used the factory valve to control front and rear. I've also added polyurethane sway bar bushing in the front and rear which reduced body roll by a large amount and cleaned up the ride. Added stiffer torsion bars from a xlt explorer using spring code "b." Kept the soft rear springs. The ride is tight, handles great and best of all rides smooth. I run the rear shocks at 30 psi and the front at 20. This seems to be the ideal pressure to maintain a smooth ride.

The front air shocks are very stiff but the valving provides great ride quality and control.

Here is all of what I did the restore/improve ride quality.

OEM air shocks
Polyurethane sway bar bushings
stiffer torsion bars
sway bar links
ball joints
tire rod ends
keep factory aluminum rims
air lift kit
35 psi tire pressure

 

[Jgb6502]

kind of off topic but since everyone answering has the same car and ive been having trouble with finding info on the standard ride height of a 1997 ford explorer limited right now i measured my fenders and they are 31 inches off the ground it seems to me to be sitting very low just wanted to know if this is an average height.