HQ Alternative to Stock Air Ride System on 98 EB

[Maverick_2004]

Ok, I have a 98 Eddie Bauer, and if you know, they come from the factory with an air ride system, meant to basically keep the explorer always at an optimum height. I like the idea, but I think there are problems (leaks) with mine, plus it's slow, and the ride is bouncy anyway. I'd like to be able to adjust it on my own and have it do the job fast.

In the next few months, my explorer will be seeing some dramatic changes. I already have true dual exhaust, and my audio system upgraded to what I want. I haven't laid out a strict budget yet, but I'm going to go with "the sky's the limit"￾, and then research my way to what I want. It currently has the stock 4.0L SOHC, but that will soon change, and I plan on making this thing fast.

With such speed, I know I'll want to upgrade the suspension. I looked into the lowering system from explorer express, and about all I like is the sway bars. I don't necessarily want to lower my explorer, for a couple reasons, mainly: poorer ride quality; I think it looks kind of dumb if the tires are too close to the wheel wells; I live in the country with lots of hills, so I don't want to bottom out all the time; and plus the explorer is meant to be a 4x4, so when the time calls for it (winter, etc.) I'd like her to still be capable.

However, when the time calls for higher speeds and tighter handling, I'd like it to be about 1 1/2" to 2"￾ lower than the standard stance, as well as 2" to 4"￾ higher than standard stance when in 4x4 or for whenever I want (the stock air ride system raises the vehicle about 2 inches when in 4x4 High anyway). SO, I'm not talking about laying frame with this, nor do I want to be able to climb over mountains. I just want a couple of inches for high-speed handling, and a couple of inches for tough terrain, and then overall a consistent, optimum ride height for the best day-to-day feel.

I hope anyone who reads this can understand what I'm looking for, basically: a higher-quality, faster, more interactive alternative to the stock air ride system from Ford. However, I'm new to air bag suspension systems, so I don't know a lot about my options, but I did find this informative website http://www.airride.com/productinfo/rideproe.asp and the ARC4700e and possibly the LEV6900 (when it comes out) products on that page look like what I'd want. I think that would allow me to keep it at the optimum ride height, but still be able to lower or raise it a couple inches when necessary. Please correct me if I'm wrong, and any suggestions or comments would be great.

(Keep in mind that this won't be done anytime soon, but I want to plan out all of the aspects of all of my mods way ahead of time)

 

[Bronco638]

Welcome to the site (fellow Illinoisian).

I don't recall seeing any other forum member asking a similar question but I may be wrong. Try using the Search feature to find more info on the air bag suspension. There seem to be quite a few "off-road" members that want lift for big tires and "street" members that like their rides lowered. But, I think your project is a first. Hopefully some others will chip in with their $0.02 or be able to point you in the right direction. If you do end up using your truck as the "test bed" be sure to post your findings for others to enjoy.

Dave.

 

[Critical_Level2]

there is an old thread by the kid named AK, who found how to lower and raise his limited with the air ride. If I remember correwctly he moved the sensor closer to the frame to make the suspension raise itself and farther from the frame to lower itself. I think this might be correct but I am not 100% sure, just search for his thread about it and it will exp[lain what he did and he also has pics showing what he did.

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

no..cause you cant see my posts! lol

 

[CDW6212R]

I'd like to get the air leveling suspension for my 99 Limited. Let me know if you remove yours.

The EE suspension bottoms out in the rear, on hard bumps or loaded down. The front works great at about a 2 inch drop, and looks and handles much better.

I have had several Mark VIIs. Assuming your rear has a similar sensor, you can alter the ride height by adjusting the sensor. It's a mechanical adjustment, but you may be able wire inline to it some electronic component, which would alter the sensor reading. You may be able to trick it into adjusting to the height that you want. Yes they are slow. Good luck,
DonW

 

[explorer_kicker]

I installed an Air Lift - Ride Control Kit in my 1997 XLS a year and a half ago. It works great. I only put it on the rear Leaf Springs as the back end would sag when under the tongue load of the trailer and the trailer tongue would bottom out when dragging the boat in rough roads to go fishing. After I installed the kit and loaded the trailer on I can get out my electric compressor and adjust the height and level the rear end of the truck to what it is naturally. I keep about 15 LBS in them all the time and it makes the truck feel less body roll when I am cornering now. I know you can get this kit and mount a compressor switch on the dash for when you would like to beef up or reduce the pressure in the bellows. I don't know that this is what you are looking for, but I think it is great. I did modify the kit some though. I ran a line and put a guage to the dash so I can see the pressure in the system, as you have to try and maintain 10Lbs in order to reduce the wear on the bags, I also put the air fill valve in the truck beside the rear door lock so I can just open the window and fill er up once I get the trailer on. This is a cheap solution to the problem if you are looking for one. Hope this helps. http://www.airliftcompany.com/ridecontrol.htm. I have some photos of the installation if you are wanna have a look - give me somewhere to mail them to. It took about 5 hrs, but I am slow... I imagion a guy with better tools and hands would be able to do this in 2 to 3 hours. I also put on some really cool driving lights that I don't need anymore. Before I put this on my headlights would shine at the sky with the trailer on, or anything heavy in the back, now I can level out the truck and see where I am going.

 

[IAmTodd]

You could basically ditch the air ride all together and go with a normal shock setup. In '98 I think they started only putting it on the rear, so thats all you'll have to worry about.