Getting ride of Stock

[Halo]

Allrigh,
I'm new at this, and have no problem admitting it. I just inherited a '93 XLT with a truely worn stock suspension. I would like to add a nice new suspension that will widthstand some light off road use for now. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. If anyone could tell me what Brand of shocks and leafs, or anything else that I should look into for this, it would be greatly appreachiated.

thanks

Andy

 

[DOGMAN]

Welcome Andy,

In general, it would help to know how the vehicle will be used. What is your concept of "light off road use"? I shall assume that this vehicle will be a daily driver with occasional forays off pavement.

How much money are you looking to spend? This steers most everyone's decision on level of modification. Are you looking at lifting the vehicle at all, to possibly run larger tires? Or would you like to keep everything sitting like stock?

When you say the stock suspension is truely worn, by what parameters are you basing this on? Are the springs sagging? Are the stock bushings worn?

There are a number of ways that you could go, it would help if I knew more of what you expected of the vehicle after modification.

One word of advice. Before you make any decision, do as much research as you can, for what you want, and for what certain mods will do for you. This will save you having to do things more than once, and also a lot of money.

The options you have are from mild to wild. I'm not trying to avoid your question, I'm just trying to find out more information to go on. Who knows, you could catch the build up bug like many of us on this site. You have to start somewhere.

Give us more info so we can help you steer your choices.

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DOGMAN
91 4dr 5sp
5.5" Superlift
"Downhill is just uphill in the opposite direction"

 

[Halo]

Dogman,

Thanks for the advise so far, I'm looking to spend under $300 on the suspension while doing it myself, since I have done work to this truck and a few cars before, now here is my definition of a worn suspension, the shocks give me that sort of creaking sound when they are at all compressed, and well, when I go over the most gradient bumps on the road the thing bounces really well, i don't think there is much life left in them, but the leafs look ok for now, I'll have to take another look at it, and get a second opion in person.
As far as the needs of the suspension go, what I ment by light off road would be just that, normal day driving, but occasionaly off the beaten path, nothing that needs a whole lot of travel or a huge lift at the moment, some day I would like one, but at the moment but money and practical means will keep me from it.
What I've seen so far is the Rancho 9000 and the Edelbrock ISA<something> will have to get better part numbers then that, but for the moment, from reading around that's what I've seen a lot of people have, plus I've see them on many differnt trucks just driving around. The Rancho looked like an intereting install with the guidance system that runs into your cabin, now is that a difficult modification? I'm not scared off by a little wiring, and that, but I'm not trying to get myself into something that's way over my head.

Andy

 

[DOGMAN]

Andy,

Sounds like shock replacement will be a good start. I, like many on this site, use the Rancho RS9000 shocks. In my opinion, they're the best shock you can buy. Being able to adjust the dampening rate from soft to firm enables you to customize the ride to YOUR preference. A nonadjusting shock just can't do that.

I've never rode in a vehicle with the Edelbrock IAS shocks, but I know many on this site are pleased with their performance. These are a "auto adjusting" shock, there are no means of adjustment.

If you look through most 4x4 magazines and look at what shocks most serious trail rigs use, you'll find the 9000 more than any other model. Must be a reason for that. There is: They are good.

As for the in-cab controller, I personally think it is a waste of money. It uses air pressure to adjust the shocks, so you have a small air compressor, plastic air lines, fittings, etc.; many things that can go wrong. Save your money. Getting out and adjusting each shock by hand is not hard, and you won't do it very often. I run my 9000's on the 3 setting most of the time (there are five settings, 1 to 5, with 1 being the softest and 5 being the firmest).

Normal price for the 9000's is about $65/each, but someone recently posted that Rancho is having or will have a sale soon that is: Buy 3 for regular price, get the 4th free. Now that's a good deal.

You should be able to purchase the 9000's at many locations, preferably a 4x4 shop, or through mail order.

Go ahead and get some new shocks and see how that makes your rig perform, then you can address other areas as you see fit.

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DOGMAN
91 4dr 5sp
5.5" Superlift
"Downhill is just uphill in the opposite direction"

 

[EB XLT]

Dogman,
'Was reading your thoughts on the above. My situation is similar. Only I installed Bilstiens front & rear about 20k miles ago. Here now I find alot of "hobby-horsing" and "rolling" while on highways and "around town" driving. My OD reads 158k and the ride feels like it! I was thinking maybe I need to replace the coils and leafs now, 'cause the shocks feel like they're doing their job by "dampening". The seat foam could be replaced I supose! Any body have any advice? 'Cause we really want to improve our "ride"; the dog is scared to ride in it for all the "rock & roll" it does.
EB XLT
91 XLT 4X4 4.OL

 

[S.Matsushige]

Hi Andy-I would go along with Dogman's recommendation. The RS9000s are probably the best you can get. But if money is a factor, you might also look at the RS5000s. There are by no means as good as the 9000s, but they will make your Explorer handle and ride much better. You can do light offroading as well. And as Dogman mentioned, Rancho is having a sale which would make either the RS9000s or the RS5000s a great deal. Read more of what others have said about the RS5000 Dead Link Removed
I would go with the RS9000s if you can afford to. I've experienced them on friends trucks and made me wish I had put the RS9000s on mine though the RS5000s serve their purpose well.

 

[NightHawk]

Just to reiterate what everyone else is saying... get new shocks. I have the Rancho RS5000 on my '93 and it rides pretty good. But I also have new springs all the way around so that could make a difference (nah). All the creaking you describe could be worn bushings. Try replacing the bushings on the rear leafs. Also get some new bushings for the upper stud on the front shocks. Most new shocks come with new bushings but I have found that they are not near firm enough. Get some polyeurethane (yeah) bushings and they will make a BIG difference in ride. It will stop the shaking you get in the steering wheel every time you hit a pothole. Have fun!

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Happy Trails!
'93 XLT
Many Mod's
To see some pics and to get a full list
of mods I have made to my explorer check out:
http://members.efortress.com/swankmi/

 

[REDDOG]

Bushings? How hard and much time does it take to replace bushings all around? I have inherited a 94 xlt with 125,000 miles with original shocks. Yes, get off the floor and get smeeling salts, original shocks. Need many upgrades and overhauls. Working on engine conditioning (fluids, plugs, etc...), re-built trans, de-tailing, next is suspension.

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REDDOG
94 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
125,000
Stock, Stock, Stock

 

[Tommy2000]

REDDOG,

I have 150k on my 93, and I too have my original shocks!

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93 Sport 4X4, 150k Mi, Llumar Metallic Tinted Windows, GTS Taillight Covers, Sony CD and Boston Acoustics drivers
Bosch +4's. Modified Airbox, Allied 8.5mm wires (Splitfire wires on order)

 

[S.Matsushige]

Tommy-I think once you have changed your shocks to good aftermarket ones, you'll notice a huge difference in ride and handling. Again, depending on the type of driving you do, I highly recommend the Rancho shocks, either the RS5000 ($36) or RS9000 adjustable ($68). I changed the shocks on my '91XLT nearly five years ago and wondered why I didn't do it sooner. The stock shocks are pretty bad to begin with. Its one of thse areas were the manufacturer can get away with saving some money. An article that the performance shop guy showed me said that most new car and truck shocks don't even make it past the warranty period. It just that we get used to the ride and think it should last at least five years. But they fool us all. Get those new shocks and it'll make driving fun again.

 

[REDDOG]

You guys keeping talking about the Rancho, what about the Edelbrock IAS? I hear great reviews about them only expensive, $60 - 70. According to one posting the Gabriel Pro Ryder w/ VST are the same at $20 @ Pep Boys. I called Gabriel technical @ 800-999-3903 and they said that they do not make the Edelbrock shock but the Pro Ryder w/ VST has a Diafram valve similiar to the IAS valve. Looking into as much as possible before I chose.

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REDDOG
94 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
125,000
Stock, Stock, Stock

 

[Scott B.]

Hey Everyone,

I have to agree - shocks make a BIG difference.

I used to run RS5000s, then upgraded to RS9000s because I needed longer shocks to accomodate the lift. The 9000s are nice, and I hardly ever adjust them.

However (there's always a however Dead Link Removed ), if you are not sure which shock to go with, or want to save a little cash, I have my set of RS5000s with about 20K miles on them that I will sell for $25.00 apiece, plus shipping. They work fine, and still carry the lifetime warrenty.

If anyone is interested, email me at sjbosso@mindspring.com.

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Scott
sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[Mike Moyer]

This is to the guy is running the Bilsteins on his truck. Since these shocks are Nitrogen charged they are way stiff. I had them on my truck and it handled great for awhile. Then the shocks caused other parts to show there wear. I just think that my XLT is just to light for those shocks. (they work great on my BMW M3). I just changed over to the Rancho 5000 and love them for the price. Maybe I'm just getting to old.

 

[Turner55]

how do you tell when you need to replace the coils and the leafs?

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'93 explorer sport 4x4

 

[NightHawk]

Hey REDDOG! Sorry it took me so long to reply I have been out of town. Anyway the bushings are really simple to replace. You just have to take the nut off of the top stud and then compress the shocks enough to remove them from the hole. Then cut away the stock rubber bushings and replace them with the new MUCH stiffer poly bushings. You can get them at any 4x4 shop. Hope this helps!

------------------
Happy Trails!
'93 XLT
Many Mod's
To see some pics and to get a full list
of mods I have made to my explorer check out:
http://members.efortress.com/swankmi/

 

[Mainfraim]

When it's time to replace the springs and leafs, I understand how to go about finding springs, but where can you buy whole new leaf springs? What are good brands for the whole leaf setup, I've only seen "Add-A-Leafs". Thanks.

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<<MaiNFRaiM>>
-'91 Explorer EB
-'94 Explorer EB
-'95 F150 EB