butt-sag

[alex]

I have a '97 explorer 4-door. If I added some good stiff shocks like the bilsteins, would that help fix my rear-end sag?? -or do you have to "add a leaf."

 

[donkey boy]

Stiffer shocks would not really help, except if they are air-shocks. (Monroe, Gabriel and probably some others make them). Air lift, air shocks, add-a-leaf or warrior shakles would be your solution. They have all their individual advantages and disadvantages. Make a search on this forum, there are tons of information dealing with this problem.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Diet and exercise... OH, you mean the Explorer has butt sag. OK.

Seriously, I prefer going the spring route, but shackles will give you some lift without stiffening the ride if that's what you want. I wasn't as fond of shackles as they seemed to make things a little sloppy back there WRT handling and such. Add a leafs will firm things up a bit back there which will help if you are carrying a load or towing (or you just like a firmer ride). Other options are to look at different springs. The Sport-trac springs are probably stiffer, and they will probably fit though I can't guarantee it. If you want a little lift, you can get hold of the Old Man Emu rear springs like I have. They'll bring you up just about 2" in back. You will have to adjust the front torsion bars to even things out.

As Donkey Boy said, the shocks won't raise your rear end unless you go with air shocks. Contrary to their name, they only serve to dampen the spring's action. They are called dampers in England for a reason. I guess you can also call them "after-shocks".

 

[Goober]

OK, The one thing I absolutely hate is looking like I'm driving a low-rider. I measured the distance from tire to wheel well and the rear is about 1.5" closer to the tire than in front. Has anyone measured this before any modifications were done?
If I have the dreaded sags, can I SOA to fix this? I have the 4" lift with new springs and if I used the old springs over the axle this would give me the 1.5" back. If this will work will new shocks be needed( rear)?

Anyone?...anyone?....

 

[mike91]

I would check your leafs b/c a friend of mine once had a cracked leaf (don't know how the hell that happened), and he did experience a sagging rear.