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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Originally posted by sapogmxr ExplorerEB96: What would you have done differently? Say if you were in my possition, what would you do. The rear Leafs or SOA? SOA is free right? How much would those superide Leafs that superlift talks about cost? And im still looking for there phone number.
Jeff did it.... I had already replaced my rear leafs before the Superlift... If you are going to continue to use the Explorer as a DD I would go with the "safer" option... SOA does promote more flex...but also changes the center of gravity....creating more body roll... ok for on the trail.....but when you are on the highway it can be a problem..... I'm not saying the SOA is totally dangerous.... it's just not that great for everyday driving... when you are ready to make the Explorer a dedicated trail truck ...then I say go for it..
What I would have done differently? I would have bought the front kit... and bought adda leafs for the rear...but Jeff says that the Super ride leafs are pretty stiff and the rear lift is somewhat higher than expected...for all of those that have that Explorer "sag" The longer driveshaft is a necessary evil....Jeff said that my stock driveshaft would definitely not have fit back...
I paid $900 for the Superlift kit guys.....but my guess is that since I paid for a new driveshaft, the torsion puller and a new tire/wheel package...they felt justified in their discount....
I just wanted to throw my opinion in here as well. I have the 2" BL and the 4" Superlift with SOA. I have no complaints on it's handling conditions. It is my DD and I drive about 35 mins to and from work everyday at speeds from 75-80(not condoning). I have also taken my truck on a couple long trips(up to 5 hours) on the expressway. I do not feel that there is any safety issue with the SOA. Most trucks come that way from the OEM.
Higher CG is higher CG, whether you go SOA or lifted springs SUA.... It does not matter! 5.5" of lift is the same no matter how you look at it. The weight of your springs being above the axle versus below is so tiny that it is negligiable. I run SOA with no sway bar and I know shaun's is the same way since I helped do it, and there is no problem.
Only thing you are going to get from staying SUA is with the lift the springs will be arched more and ride stiffer causing less sway.
But we are arguing fact here, SOA and SUA with the same amount of lift is not going to have a different CG.
Not to mention why lift a truck just to drive it like a car on the pavement? Lifted no matter how it is going to ride different. If you are concerned about ride quality then you really shouldn't be lifting anyways. (that was opinion)
I'm not arguing against SOA....he simplyand specifically asked my opinion and I gave it.... I've driven both (not in an Explorer) and I just think as a DD that I like the SUA better... my arguement about the SOA is that it seemed to have more body roll and felt rather tippy... I didn't even know it was SOA until after I've driven it....
thats what i was saying. any difference should be a minor stiffness in SUA over SOA because of arch.
there might be a slight axle wrap with SOA versus SUA but im sure its negligable as well. i can see how there would be driveshaft issues if there were a severe case of axle wrap.
but basically the differences are negligable but the advantages of SOA over SUA is (its cheaper) but also you have better clearance from the springs and shocks.
the advantages overwhelm the negative aspects, which are negligable if any.
Originally posted by ExplorerEB96 I'm not arguing against SOA....he simplyand specifically asked my opinion and I gave it.... I've driven both (not in an Explorer) and I just think as a DD that I like the SUA better... my arguement about the SOA is that it seemed to have more body roll and felt rather tippy... I didn't even know it was SOA until after I've driven it....
Not all worked up, not trying to be argumentative. My point is just that we are comparing apples and oranges. Done right SOA is just about as safe and rides just as smooth as stock. With any higher CG no matter how you lift it, you are going to gain body roll. With new springs that are stiffer you will get some of this back, but lose some ride quality due to stiffer springs. Ride quality is an issue depending on how it is done, but to say that one is safer than the other I have to dissagree. Done correctly both alternatives will be just as safe, but neither will be as safe as stock if you are speaking in terms of rolling. Therefore the descision of SUA and SOA is not based on safety but on your own personal preference as to which is more doable foir me, which is better for my application.... etc, etc, etc....
Because the SOA kit gives 5.5 inches and the front is only 4". It wouldn't match and they aren't going to go telling you to turn your torsion bars up any.
If you have access to a welder or someone that can do it for you SOA and SUA take about the same amount of time.
You could always go with the standard SOA with 10 inch lift blocks in the rear, and the Superlift kit with 11 inch balljoint spacers for a total lift height of 15 inches.
They're still trying to charge me for this crap. But they've lost my order. They have no record of it and say they can't do anything, so i've gotta duke it out with Visa to get the charges dropped.
4 Wheel Parts can kiss my A$$...
They falsely advertise, they refuse to price match TWICE, and now their records suck and they try to dick me into a $465 bill which they magically have no record of....
How many freaking 4 Wheel Parts guys does it take to cancel 1 order? I just spoke to the manager (who was kind of a dick b/c I didn't remember peoples names) and he found it and said that no one had changed the order and that it was scheduled to ship tomorrow. WTF is going on over there? This is the 5th person that i've talked to about this damn order.... I will make sure i never order from these guys again, they don't have their crap together.
I just checked my CC statement online and it said i was charged. I called up 4wp and they said it was cancelled already, i wont be recieving the package at my house. But whats funny is they cancelled my order, and charged me for it. I had to call 3 times in order to get a credit put on my card. I now have an invoice number and a girl Kristin telling me her manager is going to sign off on the credit now. Well see. And why wasnt that done when i cancelled my order last week?
but the good thing is..... they often mess up in other ways too.....sometimes they give a credit and they also ship the item.... when you call and tell them that you recieved said item....they tell you they are going to send someone to pick it up again and well.....I've been waiting for about 4 months for them to send someone....I've called and they have no record of it even going out....they told me not to bother .....it'll cost them more to send someone back there....
And she is meeeeeaaan!
