Here is a description (for reference) of the Explorer Express suspension kit from 2004
For 1995-2001 Ford Explorers
Drive any Sport Utility Vehicle, and at no extra charge you'll always receive the poor handling characteristics that has become quite infamous. It's been several years since the initial SUV rollover media hype, but not too long ago who could forget Ford versus Firestone. Once again SUV safety, or lack thereof, became the media spotlight. Needless to say the Ford Explorer (or affectionately known as "Exploder" by non-Ford owners) became America's Most Wanted -- both in completely seperate territories. The first aspect as Firestone's scapegoat (Firestone said Ford's design of the Explorer, not their tires, was responsible for the tire blowouts); in the complete opposite respect, despite negative publicity the number one selling Sport Utility Vehicle in North America.
Once the steam settled, Ford ultimately redesigned and relaunched the Explorer in time for 2002, engineered to improve safety. While that is certainly great for 2002+ Ford Explorer owners, simply giving other Explorer owners a new set of tires was not going to make things much better. For the first time in history, Firestone's (who partnered with Ford Motor Company not long after Ford was born) lifeline was indefinitely severed from anything to do with Ford Motor Company. What was an Explorer owner to do?
Explorer Express, receiving favorable reviews for its custom Ford Explorer aftermarket parts and accessories, had been offering a custom tuned suspension and handling kit for 1995-2001 Explorers for the past few years. Starting back in 1997, Explorer Express offered the X-Spec Suspension kit as well as a "X-Charger" (supercharger kit), which had gained notable attention and press coverage due to SUV safety issues. A few years later the Firestone crisis would only fuel Explorer Express' success.
The X-Spec Suspension kit is comprised of custom Edelbrock "drop shocks" for Explorers (as per Explorer Express' careful design guidelines), Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings, a super sturdy Explorer Express X-Spec Swaybar, 1 and 3/8ths lowering blocks (if applicable), bushings and suspension bumpstops. The kit is designed to lower your ride stance by 1 and 3/8ths inches. All combined, the Explorer Express X-Spec Suspension kit can radically transform your Explorer's handling characteristics in all types of driving conditions.
Personally owning a 1999 Explorer Sport, there really was nothing "Sport" about this model except that it has two doors. I've been modifying my Explorer for a couple years now (and will continue to do so), but absolutely nothing has transformed my Explorer like the X-Spec suspension kit. The frail, meager stock rear sway bar is an absolute joke in comparison the the beefy, solid X-Spec sway bar. Coupled with Energy Suspension components, your handling has already been significantly improved. Installing the Edelbrock shocks brought an equally substantial upgrade in my Explorer's handling as well. Taking tight corners, going over smooth and even not so smooth road conditions resulted in a driving experience I never deemed possible in an SUV. The top-heavy, bloated handling characteristics that I had become all too familar with in my Explorer and other friends' SUV's was crushed right before me. For the first time, I was able to take tight corners at high speeds without that unforgettable body roll and cabin "wish-wash" like you were on a rollercoaster.
Indeed, the X-Spec Suspension kit truly did transform my Explorer from the ground up. Coupled with ultra-wide performance radial street truck tires (275/55/17 Dunlop Grandtrek's), my tires stuck to the ground like superglue. Going over bumps in the road and varying pavement conditions was so much better then ever before. Due to the special tuned Edelbrock IAS shocks, the harsh drop and "rebound" that many of us know from our stock tires and shocks was completely gone. To say I was impressed would be quite an understatement - more like amazed, and shocked.
The real eye opener for me however was the X-Spec rear sway bar - which single handedly is the most impressive part of the kit. Going down straightaways at high speeds (in a secluded area, of course), I jerked the wheel to the left and then right sharp -- and was amazed when the body roll which used to make me feel like I was out of control, was nowhere to be found. Instead what I experienced was very, very minimal to no body roll - and I never felt like I was going to lose control of the vehicle.
Installation isn't even all that daunting, either. I went to a local auto shop and inquired about having their technicians install the kit. They told me it was too advanced for them - and this is a very reputable, chain car servicing facility. Luckily for me, I had an enormous amount of garage space and tools at my fingertips (local fire department). I proceeded to install the kit myself, and occasionally with the help of a friend when it was deemed appropriate. Within two days I had the kit completely installed, and I had never done any of this type of hands on auto mechanic work before in my life. I did what I was told by paid professionals was "too advanced." Sure, I could've drove about an hour away and had a more car customizing/specialty store install the kit for me, but I wanted to do the grunt work myself and learn. Needless to say I had a new respect and appreciation for car mechanics. But by all means, the most help was not a person - surprisingly it was the very intricately detailed instructions that are included with the X-Spec Suspension kit. Customer service numbers, contact information, and step-by-step installation directions were right in my hands. Every part of the kit was pictured and labeled. This made what was originally an intimidating installation process a mere step-by-step checklist.
The Explorer Express X-Spec suspension kit can transform your Explorer and your very perception of how a SUV should handle. The kit not only delivers performance, but safety - something we can never have too much of. With many "close calls" on highways that we pretty much are bound to experience, nothing can better prepare you than this kit. The drastic safety improvements not only make this a "smart" upgrade, but also is reasonable enough for your spouse to approve of. For under a thousand dollars, there is nothing that will compare then the X-Spec Suspension kit. It truly is a very small price to pay for such drastic improvements. Still to this day, I look forward to driving my Explorer every time I have to - and now it's only more enjoyable.
