How to know which factory suspension is on Explorer?

[Cobra Jet]

May sound like a confusing thread title - but this is why I am asking.

My Father has a 2002 Explorer XLT - all options (4.6 V8, fogs, sunroof, towing package w/ class 3 hitch, 3:55 trac loc rear, 3 rows of seats, running boards, etc) basically everything except leather. He has well over 100k original miles on it now and was asking about replacing the front & rear shocks on it.

When I went online to Rock Auto to look up prices for replacement shocks (he wants Motorcraft) there were quite a few different Motorcraft shocks listed for the front & rear. Prices ranged anywhere from $60-$200 per shock (depending on if it were front or rear). There were also different Motorcraft part numbers of which prices & part #'s varied depending on which type of suspension the vehicle has from the factory....

How can I tell which suspension package my Father's Explorer came with from the factory? Is there a way to decode the door data tag or VIN #, which may tell me what suspension his vehicle came with?? He is the original owner of the vehicle, but could not find his original Window Sticker (he has it, but it's filed somewhere) - would the Window Sticker be of any help at all??

If anyone can assist, please do - because I want to replace the shocks for him, but also don't want to purchase the wrong type vs suspesion type...

Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

I would say the problem is with Rock Auto
The 04 Explorer had two suspensions, 2wd or 4wd, thats it

The rear shocks are likely the same both ways, the front shocks will likely differ between 2wd and 4x4

I would get the part numbers from Ford, then take those to Rock Auto or wherever you want to buy shocks. If you are looking at Motocraft parts, get the motocraft numbers from your dealer.

The door sticker will tell you what gear ratio it has and possibly what spring rates, but the shock length will be the same no matter what gears or springs were used.

Rock Auto's computer is likely confused (typical or lots of parts places, all tehy know is what the computer tells them)

 

[satyr64]

I would go with after market from monroe. I change mine at 60k and the oem were shot. I too got them from rockauto