Best Mods To Approve Ride and Handling

[Mellena]

Hey Guys im new to the Explorer world (just got one a few days ago). Anyways I feel that the handling and ride are a major downfall of this explorer. I was wondering whats the best way improve these categories! Thanks guys!

 

[Essex4x4]

Well i hate to be the one to have to tell you this but due to the fact that the explorer is a truck based SUV the ride quality is poor. On the 1st and 2nd Gen explorers (you have a 1st gen) they came with solid rear axles. This is what causes the rough ride. So basicaly with out telling you to sell your brand new to you Explorer here is what i would suggest.

Assuming you haven't done anything to it yet, what kind of tires are on it? The easiest way to improve ride quality is to use a street tire set at around 35psi. Street tires are smoother there fore they make less road noise and generally have better traction. Second i would say depending on your current mileage you may want to replace your shocks.

I don't own the same year Ex that you do so maybe we can get some 1st gen folks to chime in here and give you some tips that i don't know about.

 

[Mellena]

yeah thats what ive found that its off the ranger frame, im just looking into ways to make daily driving improved thanks for the help so far!

 

[stuckaholic]

first of all you have to look at what you bought. its a truck and therefor you cant expect it to drive like a car. if thts wht you want you shoulda bought an escape or something....i have a 92 xl with a welded rear end and locking hubs and iv found that even with my rear ended welded the manual locking hubs make a HUGE difference. the conversion kit and new hubs are resionable cheap and something you should look into if you plan on wheeling at all as the auto hubs are junk.

 

[fixxxer]

Some of the things you need to check on a truck that old is: Tie rod ends, sway-bar bushings and end links, radius arm bushings, ball joints and your front and rear shocks. I have a 93 and actually love the way my truck rides and handles, it's not harsh at all. I have Continental A/T SUV rubber on the ground, any more than 35psi in these tires and the truck doesn't have such a smooth ride. 32-35 psi is about perfect for me, but hey, not everyone likes the same things as I do.

 

[Mellena]

awesome good info, I understand that its a truck. Story behind the car is my mom has drove it since new for 178,000 miles and I felt the ride has changed and she agreed being the one who drove it the msot. Now the car is mine to do what i want so next for me is to change the fuel injectors (that should be fun) and get a few interior panels (driver side door is cracked) then I will be able decide which direction I wanna go thanks guys