Helping out my working ST - rear suspension, tune, bolt ons ?

[Craigwell]

I've had my 2010 XLT 4.0L for a couple months now, and love it.

So far all I've done, is add a Leer cap with racks - which wasn't cheap.

Hoping owners with more experience can help me tweak this based on the following:

I know the 4.0L will never blow me away. Right now I'm averaging 16mpg, and that's with my mileage being about 60/40 highway/city.

- Should I bother with CAI, or K&N, or similar bolt-ons ?

- How about a tuner? Thinking I might like to play with shift points or other parameters. Not really sure what I want, but I love tourque and mpg.....

- Rear suspension upgrade.. I use this truck to carry about 500lbs of tools around with me in the bed, and occasionally load the racks with plywood or other building materials. Any suggestions for helping out the rear ? I feel as it is that it should be a little stiffer back there. Canopy + tool weight = pitching occasionally in the rear side to side. I think some of that is inherent to the wheel base length and relatively narrow track.

Thoughts appreciated... Thanks guys..

 

[Tech By Trade]

K&N is garbage and will do nothing but wreck your MAF sensor if you over oil it. The truck is already sucking air from behind the grill, I'm not sure it can get much cooler than that. As for suspension you are working with IRS so you loose the rigidity and extra capacity of a solid rear axle, but the trade off is much better control, less hop, and a far superior ride. I think they do make bags for the explorer that might trade over. Tunners, a waste of money if you ask me, but some guys swear by them. The only way to really get more snap was to splurge for the V8.

 

[Craigwell]

Thanks, TBT..

I got this with 25,000 miles on it, in pristine condition, and consider the 4.0L to be the more durable engine, so I wasn't too worried about it. Still am fine with it, really - it does what it needs to do.

I'm not inclined to waste money if there is no point.

The rear suspension is the only real consideration. I don't load it much or that often, so air bags make sense. I will continue to research this.

 

[Craigwell]

I wonder about the stuff here..

http://truxxx.ca/suspension-lift-kits/ford/explorer

Anyone have experience with any of it ?

 

[swshawaii]

I got this with 25,000 miles on it, in pristine condition, and consider the 4.0L to be the more durable engine, so I wasn't too worried about it.

More reliable than the 4.6L 3V? I believe most owners with the 4.0L SOHC beg to differ.

 

[Craigwell]

Figured someone might not like that comment. It's just my opinion. I have had great experience with properly maintained 4.0L's SOHC and OHV.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't have bought a 4.6L truck if I had the right rig in front of me at the time.

At any rate, the suspension is my priority, the engine does just fine. I probably wont waste much on tuning it, but if a tuner fell into my lap cheap, I'd likely tinker.

 

[Craigwell]

Then there is this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Air-Lift-100...Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c9c06315&vxp=mtr

After more research, I'm considering the possibility of a Truxxx spacer lift/levelling, or perhaps the Air Bags.

Still trying to sort out what would be best.

 

[Craigwell]

....and also this:

http://actiontrucks.com/i-13282454-supersprings-css-1125-coil-sumosprings.html

Anyone have an opinon on these three items ?

- Spacers
- Air Bags
- Spring Helpers

 

[Tech By Trade]

Not sure, but Rancho also makes a leveling shock for the explorer. I dont think its any firmer then stock but it will lift the front to match the back.

 

[06bluez]

Then there is this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Air-Lift-100...Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c9c06315&vxp=mtr

wont work with the sport trac's rear coilover style shocks.

I have wondered if the expedition rear air suspension will fit the explorer. they look to be about the same length and have a similar mounting pattern... you would need to adapt the OEM style air connectors to an aftermarket compressor, or go all out and try and use the OEM load leveling system with sensors, compressor, etc... could be a fun project!

ebay

 

[Craigwell]

Leading candidate right now are the Action "sumospring" helpers, but I am also looking into heavy duty springs - if they exist for this.

 

[Craigwell]

Couldn't find heavier coils.

I ordered the sumospring helpers. I'll see how that works.

Might lift the truck eventually.

 

[Craigwell]

Have the sumospring coil helpers. Still in the box. I have a set of 265/75/17 winters that are going on the truck soon.. Maybe I'll need them then! I will follow up with pics if/when I ever install them.