best fix for sagging rear ?2000 sport

[joe doe]

hey guys .....whats the best fix for a sagging rear in a 2000 sport 4by4?
shackles?
has anyone used the active suspension system from strutmasters?
looking to level it out (sags more on driver side )and bring it up a little .

whats works ?thanks.....

 

[Electrohacker]

new springs are the best way, then think about adding air ride leveling shocks to help keep them from sagging

$200 + shipping on the leafs
$70 for the shocks

 

[joe doe]

where have you seen new leafs for a 2000 sport?factory maybe?
havent looked at them yet .was thinking aftermarket ,something i can add a little left with as well and then do a tortion twist up front .

the active suspension from strutmasters looks nice .if anyone has one please give your thoughts .

 

[corkey]

LMC truck has brand new springs for 99 $ a side,,

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fex/full.aspx?Page=95

 

[joe doe]

cool,thanks.

look at this.......


i am thinking adjustability here and smoothness of ride .crank em up and get some lift?

 

[joe doe]

anyone use this active system?

 

[Kriegen]

Don't know if that active system is any good but would it even work on the explorer since the springs are under the axle instead of on top?

edit: nevermind, they do have one that fits the explorer: model 1356 / MK I - XBF

 

[joe doe]

i never even thought about that .good point,but they do offer a kit just the same.
i see lmc truck has replacement springs for 99.99 each.

3 leaf or 4 leaf .......same price .

go with 4 leaf for same money???i have a 2000 sport.

 

[akvanden]

What's wrong with just getting some larger shackles? Seems cheaper to me and will have the same intended outcome - no sag.

 

[joe doe]

it will still sag on the drivers side .i have the driver side lean going on too.i load this thing up near every weekend .

 

[my pos mounty]

What's wrong with just getting some larger shackles? Seems cheaper to me and will have the same intended outcome - no sag.

Not exactly the intended outcome, doing the shackles instead of leafs can cause:

A) instability if you go with the cheap "autozone" 2 piece shackles. They can (and will) twist. (especially the sport leaf pack)

B) the leaf springs will continue to lose their arch, resulting in flatter leaf springs, and even more loss of stability


For 200 plus shipping it would be better (IMO) to get the 4 door leaf pack for your sport.

As far as the "roadmaster" system, I have no opinion as I have not seen this system in use.

 

[joe doe]

thanks pos,
you mean the 4 leaf spring i suppose?
yes for the same money why not get more leafs in the spring.not sure how many my 2000 sport has?i will look.
i agree with your points on replacement.plus my drivers side is leaning and a shackle wont correct that.

 

[Electrohacker]

the system seems neat, but I prefer the air shocks as I can adjust it without using wrenches and stuff. I just hook up a emergency 12v compressor and adjust ride height and weight capacity

 

[joe doe]

no fan of air shocks here .makes the ride too stiff for my tastes.that active suspension system looks sweet.spring loaded so you know it will be a soft ride .but that wont correct my lean either .looks like new springs be the way to go.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Joe Doe, the man you don't get to know......


I have the RoadMaster Active Suspension, and it does the job;
firms up the rear springs and dampens the side to side motion
when going over speed bumps. Handling is better, although I
also have the bigger EE sway bar and poly bushings.

However if you're wanting lift, I'd go with the 4-dr springs
because of the simplicity. Probably cheaper too, and I suspect
the 4-dr springs would do just about all that the RoadMaster
Suspension does.

 

[joe doe]

thank you ROE.
did the active suspension give you some lift?even just a little?
do you think it could correct the drivers side lean?

 

[corkey]

the active suspension preloads the spring form middle to end giving more spring pressure , or at least that is what it looks like it does, maybe keeping arch in the spring, which may keep or give a bit of lift, but i doubt it would be much ,
the spring only goes on the back side but it still allows the front 1/2 to flatten out, maybe it will help , but in my opinion 1/2 of fix is not as good as a full fix with a new spring,

 

[tbirdman]

2000 Explorer Sport Shocks

Hey- I also have a 2000 Explorer Sport AWD. I was troubled by the squat stance that happens with these SUV's. This is what I did. Consulted the Monroe online shock selector catalog :

http://www.monroe.com/catalog/ecatalog.asp

And I ordered the #37122 Sensatrac shocks for the front & the # 58617 Load Adjusting coil over shocks for the rear. Installed in my home garage one afternoon-and very pleased with the results. A little stiffer ride when truck is lightly loaded but fill up the gas tank & add a little gear in the back- smooth sailing. Monroe has a great product- and hey- I didn't have to invest in new or rebuilt leaf springs. To complement the shocks- added the beefy Explorer Express rear sway bar with polyurethane bushings ( front & rear).Now-the otherwise stock Explorer Sport rides true, handles great & looks good -even standing still. Not sure if this will work for you- but think about it if you are on a budget. I am pleased with the results- 2 years + and still riding great & standing tall. Best to you.

 

[Electrohacker]

Hey- I also have a 2000 Explorer Sport AWD.

no... you dont. it was never made, you have 4x4 not AWD

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

if you go with the replacements from lmc gonna want the 3 leaf pack i think. the arch in the 4 leaf is a little more then stock and they use 4 thinner leaves in it

the clean leaf is a lmc 4 leaf pack, the other is a stock for comparo

i havent seen the 3 leaf in person but im under the impression that it doesn't count the overload as a spring. stock is 3 leaves plus overload