How can cure rear end sag when cargo is loaded??

[Hawken]

I have a 2001 XLT Sport 4dr 4x4, that has a too soft rear end. Whenever I go to Costco and load up a load of groceries, the rear seems to have a fair amount of sag for such a relatively light load (100-150 lbs) . I will renovating my house soon and will need to transport heavier stuff, i.e. tiles. From reading other posts, replacing my OEM shocks with after market ones should help this problem.

The Rancho RS9000's have caught my eye since they are adjustable. Would these shocks be okay or are there better ones out there? I don't have a lift and 85% of my driving is highway with the rest being somewhat off-road on semi-paved logging roads during hunting season. Would I have to change the springs along with the shocks? I really what to avoid getting air-lift shocks, somehow having 'balloons' under my truck isn't very comforting. I don't plan to carry many heavy loads, but there has to be a better way.

Thanks in advance for you help guys.

PS: does anyone know of a good shop in Queens, NYC

Hawken

 

[jimbo74]

air bags or roadmaster progressive suspension add-on

 

[Stephen S]

Since you have a Sport, you probably have the monoleaf. If you do, then you might consider upgrading to the rear leaf springs from a 4-door Explorer. They may support the weight a little better than the monoleaf. If that isn't enough, then you could get an add a leaf for the 4-door spring pack. An add a leaf is not an option for the monoleaf sports unfortunately. Hope this helps.

 

[Jim F]

Check out this thread:

http://208.38.138.31/forums/showthread.php?threadid=18924

 

[soupbone]

Your best bet is to get rid of the mono leafs. There is a add a leaf for the monos from rancho but the 4 dr leaf pack is much better and gets rid of the sport sag. Get a used pair of leafs from a 4dr to start with. then maybe add a leaf if you think its necessary. I paid $80 for the used pair. The ride is better.

 

[Yomie]

Hey guy's, it says he has a 4 door

I have a 2001 XLT Sport 4dr 4x4

he has the spring pack, Your best bet would probably be the air bags, or the roadmaster thing......you would be able to adjust it to the load you were carrying.

 

[Stephen S]

OOOOPPPPS. Guess I read the post so fast and I missed that part. I noticed Sport. So what is different on the 2001 Sport XLT and the 2001 XLT??? What makes it a Sport??

Anyway, since you already have the full spring pack, you may want to consider an add a leaf. If you decide to consider it, then try a search; there are plenty of threads concerning them. Explorer Pro Comp makes a set for the newer Explorers.

 

[Yomie]

Yeah an add-a-leaf is an option too, it will give you a lil lift as well as stiffen up your rear (lol) when carrying a load.

Stephen S....where are you in LA?

 

[Hawken]

Thanks for the replies guys. I check the truck tonight to see how many springs I have under the rear axle. The difference between a 2001 XLT Sport 4 door and an XLT 4 door is that the sport option has the following:
- 16" rims with slightly bigger tires vs 15"
- a tube step bar instead of running boards
- cladding for the edges of the wheel wells
most importantly: a 4.10 gear ratio instead of the 3.55/3.73. The suspensions was supposed to better than a regular XLT but I guess not.


It also looks better with the tube and cladding. ha ha

 

[Stephen S]

That's cool Hawken. That must be the additions in the Sport Convenience Group that Ford offers on the Explorers. It was just confusing because the Sport is a different vehicle. I'm sorry for my confusion.

Yomie, check your PM

 

[soupbone]

oops me too! thought you had a 2dr.

sorry