Shock mount tabs are not hard to fab up.
There are several options for shock location when it comes to the SOA conversion on an Explorer.
Whats wrong with where he has them? I know guys who run them like that and they work great!
You measure for shocks after you do the lift, by deciding on a location for the lower mount (hopefulyl somwhere that wont get hung up off road) measure at full droop and bump.
Now the mount location is important, but you have alot of options. Personally I am not afraid of welding a few readily available at any 4x4 shop, shock tabs on to the axle housing. I would try to avoid anything hanging down below the axle tube.
He can use the ears on the stock explorer spring pads if he wants, but I know I have been hung up on my shock mounts way too many times to go that route, even on mild trails.
Seat recliner levers were a BAD idea from Ford, even on a stock height truck they get caught on your pants
I ditched mine YEARS ago, I cut the strap off an old duffle bag, sewed up some finger pull straps and used some bailing wire to attach it to where the lever once was, now you grab the strap and poull straight up, seat comes forward. Nothing to get hung up on.
