How to improve Handling and Stability...... ??

[Katmandu]

..... of a 98 EB 4x2 ??

Other than the standard fixes like (good maintenance tire pressure, alignment, good shocks etc...)

What are some other good ways to increase the handling performance and increase stability of a 4x2 4dr Explorer ??

 

[JDraper]

New swaybars, poly bushings, lower it slightly. Check out the stuff on Explorer ExpressExplorer Express . They have good stuff and are a site sponsor.

 

[etc]

Definately the EE sway bars, and a small drop.

 

[alphabets13]

EE swaybars all the way. you will be amazed. mine are on about a month with the poly bushings and it's outstanding.

 

[X~FACTOR]

All the above plus get smaller size sway bar end links. About 1 or 2 inch shorter depending of the amount of drop you're getting.

 

[Black Magic]

Everyone so far is right on the money!

 

[Black Magic]

Click here for their suspension link:

 

[WNP 2]

Hello,

Anything you can do to lower the ride height of your Explorer will help.

The body roll that these trucks exhibit is intentional from Ford Motor Company, the reason for this is that body roll will discourage the driver to take corners at higher speeds.

When the Explorer was designed, body roll was one thing that was actually increased rather than decreased to discourage fast maneuvers.

Lower the ride height, lowering the ride height 1 inch is a very significant amount when you are talking about center of gravity, or handling characteristics.

Lower the rear lower than the front, you will notice a big improvement from this. Lets say you drop the front 1 inch, drop the rear 2 inches.

The Explorer has a relatively narrow track width, and a short wheel base, there is very little you can do to make it handle better than it already does. I know that some people have changed the sway bars, and various suspension components, and have various tire/wheel combinations. There might be some improvement, but this is at the risk of the tires being at the limit of their traction in high speed turns/maneuvers.

The Explorer is a truck, its not a sports car, it has a purpose of utility, not performance.

Good Luck!

 

[Katmandu]

Thanks for the tips folks.

What about using wheel spacers to increase the track ??

What size/brand tires would you'all recommend for handling using the OEM 16" rims ??

 

[JOHN V.]

I think a lot of folks out there that would disagree about the performance potential of the Explorer. If you ever drove an Explorer with our X-Spec Suspension Package installed, you would change your mind.

The only way you could widen the track would be to install wheel spacers. We are not fond of using spacers. They will cause wear and tear on yours wheels bearings and will not really give a noticable improvement with the handling.

What we have done with the shocks, sway bars & lowering kit make a huge improvement without changing the track. Even if you do not want to lower your Explorer, the shocks & sway bars will improve handling & stability.