cooling and braking upgrade options

[Eric79x]

I just got an 06 Explorer with the 4.0L SOHC.
I do a LOT of stop and go, and a lot of idling. (Ingress)

• What are some options for upgrading the cooling system?

bigger radiator, etc?
I have no idea what to even begin to search for on the internets.

• What would be good way to upgrade the brakes?

I'd like shorter stopping distance at low speeds, and longer lasting brakes (than stock) under heavy use.
I was looking at this kit for brakes. "Perofrmance brakes with 20% More Stopping Power"
http://www.jegs.com/i/Power+Stop/419/K1443/10002/-1
But IDK if that's enough?

• What would be good suspension upgrade, to make it not throw me all over the place when going over bumps, or enter/exit driveways, etc?

 

[NickSantagataa]

Not to be rude or anything but the cooling is fine in the explorers, if you bounce all over the place maybe you just need new shocks on yours , because I can go over a curb and come down and not bounce every where and as far as brakes I do agree their pretty **** but you'll adjust to them and just don't tail gate people and you won't have to stop short a lot

 

[MotorCityFats13]

when I got my 07 in december of 2014... I thought the brakes sucked, when I did the brakes it turned out that both bottom guide pins were seized... I had duralast max pads on my 98 and autozone swapped them for the difference of $35 they were great and pulled me down from any speed with no fade.... I now have the duralast max pads on my front and rears of my 07.. yes it is a $140.00 pad swap but i dont care how long they last because brakes are easy and they are lifetime replacement.... these things didnt fade on my 1998 and they stop my 2007 like a champ... the only thing I am considering is before I swap them next time is I might add some ebay slotted rotors and give them a try... if you go with a performance rotor/pad kit do you lose lifetime replacement warranty... back in the day I used to run hawk and ebc pads and they didnt offer lifetime replacement .... my explorer feels more solid when stopping than my 2004 cobra I had when it was new.... I know its not true but it takes alot to pull down 5,000+lbs doing 80mph... and to add to what nick said.... explorers are known for having overkill cooling and breaking systems... many people when they do V8 conversions on older rangers and mustangs swap over explorer parts... to my knowledge the explorers with 4.6's and 4.0's have the same rads

 

[Eric79x]

thanks.
I've never sought out any info on Explorers, so I had no idea they were known for having overkill cooling.

like i said, i do a LOT of idling and stop&go at low speeds, so just want to see if I can upgrade things above stock performance (brake performance & longevity and cooling)

 

[NickSantagataa]

Only down said to our stock rads are they are known to leak

 

[BrianDye]

I am a bit skeptical as well, as my last vehicle had electric fans, and no known radiator issues.

My concern is, why is it that when I am idling, such as sitting at work on break, or stopped in traffic, my AC gets noticeably warmer? Also having the rear AC on (I have the 3rd row with controls in the roof mounted console) when sitting makes the front noticeably warmer. The truck doesnt ever run hot, and when sitting, the only difference is the intake air temp rises. (I have an Ultra-Gauge to see all that info)

 

[banditxp]

I am a bit skeptical as well, as my last vehicle had electric fans, and no known radiator issues.

My concern is, why is it that when I am idling, such as sitting at work on break, or stopped in traffic, my AC gets noticeably warmer? Also having the rear AC on (I have the 3rd row with controls in the roof mounted console) when sitting makes the front noticeably warmer. The truck doesnt ever run hot, and when sitting, the only difference is the intake air temp rises. (I have an Ultra-Gauge to see all that info)

every car will do that sitting in traffic. AC works based on RPMs and AirFlow. Not moving means compressor is turning slower and also none or less air is moving through the condenser.

Also far as the leaky Rad... well got my Ex with 42K miles on it. it started leaking at 50K miles. Put fresh fluid in with some Prestone stop leak and then once more added the same stop leak at 75K miles and then at 100K miles ish changed the 20PSI cap to a 16PSI cap and now it has not leaked since and im at 130K miles now. so yes 130K miles on stock Rad and no more leaks and Cooling on a 105*F day in the sun with AC blowing and engine is nice and cool at proper temp.

 

[BrianDye]

The previous vehicle I mentioned (actually a few of them: '09 Edge, '13 Charger RT, '04 Crown Vic) did not have that problem. I would like to believe it's directly related to the electric fan which the Explorer does not have, those did. Ac was ice cold no matter what the situation was (and I spend a lot of time out in my car on breaks/lunch at work)

 

[banditxp]

I have had other cars with electric fans and they changed in temp to on a hot day. Very few cars/trucks that i have been in dont do that. its also depends on the compressor and also idol RPMs. a lot of newer cars/trucks idol much lower now to save on fuel so that means AC problems. older cars tended to idol around 800-1,000 RPMs and iv noticed most newer Engines will idol 500-700 rpms. my brothers 2002 4.7L jeep drops down to 450-500RPMs sometimes in traffic.

 

[banditxp]

ooo and what our trucks do to make up for not having electric fans next time its hot out and AC blowing and engine fully warm and waiting in traffic pop it into Neutral and watch the RPMs jump up to 900-1,200 depending on how hot it is.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

the ac condenser usually lives close to the engine radiator.... the fan pulling air through both cant compensate for the heat soak between the 2... add that with the compressor pumping slower and you get lower efficiency.... if i drive at 70mph for 30+ minutes with max ac on fulll it can make my hand numb like its blowing 40F or colder and this is when its 95F outside.... only gripe I have is the design of the floor vents... I cant stop my feet from freezing.... my core might also be clogged because my heat will never feel like my hand is on fire

 

[banditxp]

mine gets nice and freezing at 35-45mph just fine. and thats when its 90+ out too.