How to prevent rear-end from sagging? Air shocks? What?

[Todd82TA]

Hey guys,

I have a 2002 Explorer Sport (as an FYI, I'm supposed to be in this forum as stated above for 02+ Sports so please don't move it). I've noticed that the back end of my Explorer sits a little bit lower than the front. Obviously, when I accelerate, the back end does go down a bit. But when I see other owners of the 01-03 Explorer Sports driving around on the road, I notice that the back of their truck always looks like it's squatting.

I tried looking breifly for the availability of air shocks for my Explorer, but I didn't see any. Any idea what's available to me to maybe lift the rear-end an inch or two so the car sits level?




Thanks!!!

Todd

 

[Xplorer82]

this has been asked/talked quite a few times. a quick search should give you what you need..... (i.e. add a leaf, f150 leaf springs, 4dr explorer leaf springs maybe?, ect)..

Here, i entered "rear end sagging" in the search, there should be plenty of info. if not try wording things differently in the search tab.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4323678

 

[Todd82TA]

this has been asked/talked quite a few times. a quick search should give you what you need..... (i.e. add a leaf, f150 leaf springs, 4dr explorer leaf springs maybe?, ect)..

Here, i entered "rear end sagging" in the search, there should be plenty of info.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4323678

Damn, there sure are... thanks. I'll use the search next time.

 

[Todd82TA]

Looking at all of the examples, I found a few things worth mentioning.

You could get an ADD A LEAF (AAL) to improve the ride height, but it stiffens the ride and potentially upsets the geometry of the suspension. Best solution of course would be to install brand new 4-door Explorer Sport leaf springs.

Since I have a 2002 Crown Victoria with a class-4 hitch and would probably do most of my towing with that since it can handle more anyway... I decided I really just wanted to fix the ride height.

I ordered a set of Monroe air shocks from Rock Auto. At my door for $68.XX for the pair and all the hardware.

 

[beach]

Monroe Max Air shocks rock for this, smooth driving shocks and easy to adjust, infalte the driver side a little more and wammo, even again instead of sagging. Plus you have the ability to adjust if you have to tow or carry heavy stuff.

I looked at add-a-leafs etc but saw everyone complain about the ride and harshness, and was in two different trucks with aal and it was much more uncomfortable then how my truck drove with stock leafs and Reflex shocks.

 

[Todd82TA]

Monroe Max Air shocks rock for this, smooth driving shocks and easy to adjust, infalte the driver side a little more and wammo, even again instead of sagging. Plus you have the ability to adjust if you have to tow or carry heavy stuff.

I looked at add-a-leafs etc but saw everyone complain about the ride and harshness, and was in two different trucks with aal and it was much more uncomfortable then how my truck drove with stock leafs and Reflex shocks.

Awesome! I'm glad to hear I didn't waste my money then. I should probably get them pretty soon.

I see that you're also in South Florida. Do you ever drive on sand? I bought a piece of property just north of Lake Okeechobee. Last time I went there, I nearly got stuck with a FWD suv. I bought my Explorer but the tires are just normal all seasons. I ended up buying some grooved tires. (at the bottom on this page: http://www.pontiacperformance.net/car02Explorer.html )

They are Goodyear Fortera TripleTread. I figured if they work well in rain, they should probably be pretty decent in soft sand too.

I don't have a limited slip rear-end though, but I'm going to try to hit the yard this weekend and get a posi rear-end from a Cash 4 Clunkers car.

 

[my pos mounty]

Uhm, you don't have independent rear suspension on your third gen?
Cash for clunkers were all second gen (solid rear axle) and wouldn't be an easy swap over.

 

[sport97]

Uhm, you don't have independent rear suspension on your third gen?
Cash for clunkers were all second gen (solid rear axle) and wouldn't be an easy swap over.

He has a sport, all the sports had solid rear axles, even the 01-03's, they shared the under pinning of the 2nd gens.

 

[my pos mounty]

Ohhh, gotchya. Thanks

 

[Todd82TA]

Uhm, you don't have independent rear suspension on your third gen?
Cash for clunkers were all second gen (solid rear axle) and wouldn't be an easy swap over.

I have a sport.


But you're kind of wrong though... Cash 4 Clunkers only said the car had to be from 1984 and newer. You COULD turn in a 2009 Expedition and they would take it for trade.

I saw lots of newer Ford Explorers too. I realize obviously this is not the right place, but here's a picture I took in the junkyard of a 2005 Nissan Xterra that someone had brought in for the Cash for Clunkers program. It had just over 80,000 miles on it.

I didn't bother to take pictures of C4C cars at the junkyard since I usually only take pictures of the 60s and 70s cars (or older) that show up... but I took this one simply because it was rather fitting:

You can see my other pictures at http://www.PontiacPerformance.net

Click on OTHER STUFF and then scroll down to Junkyard.

One trip to the junkyard that I went to, there was a V8 powered Maserati Quattroporte Sedan and a Rolls Royce something or other both there on the same day. Sad...

 

[my pos mounty]

I don't have a limited slip rear-end though, but I'm going to try to hit the yard this weekend and get a posi rear-end from a Cash 4 Clunkers car.

Not really worth the trouble to do it. But if you really must, you should be prepared to rebuild the clutch packs (and restack them differently), replace axle seals and give the inside a real thorough check. I'm on my second.
You could add a "lunchbox" style locker to your existing differential for better results.

Also, for the sag, you could add the leaf spring pack (new) for the 4 door trucks from LMC truck. They are cheaper than you might think. 100 bucks per leaf pack.

 

[akvanden]

Monroe Max Air shocks rock for this, smooth driving shocks and easy to adjust, infalte the driver side a little more and wammo, even again instead of sagging. Plus you have the ability to adjust if you have to tow or carry heavy stuff.

I looked at add-a-leafs etc but saw everyone complain about the ride and harshness, and was in two different trucks with aal and it was much more uncomfortable then how my truck drove with stock leafs and Reflex shocks.

How do the air shocks work? You saying it will level out my back end and eliminate the sag?