Installed Trailmaster coil-overs on the rear of my 01 sport 4 x 4

[navin r]

I talked with a guy from Trailmaster who was able to cross reference some numbers and come up with a "4-Way" coil-over shock to fit my X. You have to also purchase 2 bar pins for the top and two sleeves for the bottom to make it work. You also have to buy some new bolts, lock washers, etc. for the top. The shocks are pretty inexpensive, it was about $120 or so for the works through Rocky Mountain Suspension. I had already raised the rear of my formerly sagging X about 1 1/4" courtesy of some factory shackles extended 2 1/4" by my local welding shop. I was really looking for some extra load carrying capacity without sagging, and wanted to firm up the handling a bit. How do they work? I'd have to say pretty good. Even though these shocks really aren't designed for my X, it's done what I wanted. The ride is about the same, just a bit firmer, and the handling is also a bit firmer. I took a 3 hour drive on the Angeles Crest Highway today, the X felt a lot more comfortable flying around those curves, pretty good for a truck that can also do so some mild off roading. If anyones interested I can post the part numbers.

 

[Jason_25]

Do you have any pictures of this setup? Are the coilovers pretty beefy?

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Would this work if you took out the rear leaf springs? Also, If the coilovers worked just like shocks then why get them?

 

[DesertSpive]

I have got to see some pics of this to help me understand. Coilovers serve as both the spring and shock, when installed, they take the place of your leaf springs as well as the shocks. To locate the axle properly (since the leaves are removed) you need to convert to a 3 or 4 link rear axle. I don't know any true coil over that could be had that inexpensively. Please post some pics. Thanks,

--Sean

 

[ExplorGM]

Specs?

Navin,
I'm guessing that these were installed in addition to your stock spring setup? Did they give you any lift (without a load)? Can the springs be upgraded with others to give a little boost similar to an add-a-leaf?
Do you know the travel on the shocks?
I'd be interested in the part numbers for all the items you spoke about so that I can research them further. My rear shocks are done and I need a small boost to help the rear springs as they are getting older and flexier, but sagging as well.
Whom did you speak to at trailmaster? I'm really interested in the mods that were done to make the shock fit. Sounds like its a standard/generic shock configuration at the ends?
Thanks,
Rick
Hmmmm. Maybe a 1/4 elliptical with coilovers...

 

[sirhk100]

I'm sure these are the little coilover shocks that are like normal shocks. Anyone have volkswagen bug experience. A couple companies make little coilover shocks that are just factory replacements. They are not intended to support the vehicle they do the same thing as the stock shock. Trust me on this the coilovers you guys are thinking of would be pretty much impossibe to get for $120 try like $600+ for a new set.

Khris

 

[navin r]

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. These coil-over shocks are definately not made to replace the springs, they're just an add-on. I wanted a bit of extra load carrying capacity, I went with the coil-overs instead of add-on springs just to give it a try. The coil-overs just seemed like simpler and cleaner method.
So far, I'm happy with them. The handling is a bit firmer which is what I wanted, which I could have gotten with some good shocks, but I still would have needed something for the extra load capacity. If I understand correctly, plain shocks, other than air shocks, don't provide that.
The clamping of the bottom of the springs is adjustable. I didn't adjust them to provide any added lift but you could set them to provide maybe a 1/2" or an inch. I don't think they were designed for any more than that.
True coil-overs, which are designed to provide the only support for that corner of the vehicle, seem to be expensive, check out Summits catalog.
I don't have any pics, but they look exactly like the picture on Trailmasters website.
The part numbers are: 13730 shock
404739 sleeve
403873 bar pin
Of course, you need 2 of each, plus you'll have to buy some new bolts, lockwashers, etc. for the top.

 

[DesertSpive]

Here is a pic.

--Sean

 

[SCEXPLORER]

what are the advantages using this coilover setup in the rear. Is there a way we could install this in the front?

 

[ExplorGM]

Weight Carrying

Probably the main advantage to putting them in the rear (ouch!) is adding some cargo capacity without the rear sag. Navin gained some handling as well.

Same for the front. If you add an extra brush guard/Winch the coils would give you a little help. You would have to modify the mounting brackets on the front to make those particular shocks mount properly though.

My concern are the specs. on the shocks/coils such as travel.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Would this work if I put a pair up front and take out the torsion bars?

 

[taxx]

I have actually been trying to figure that out. I want to didtch my t-bars and put some coilovers up there. But I imagine I am lookng at $500 or so to do it. You would need some good coilover shocks (like the bilsteins RCD uses) and you would need to fab some mounting brackets. I am just waiting for that RCD kit to come out so I can get the part numbers for the coiloever shock. Maybe I could get the part number for the ranger?

Maybe you could buy the mounting brackets too!

 

[JoshC]

Has anyone else tried this, it would kind of be nice to have the extra load capactiy so long as they had the flexablitity.

Happy trails!!

 

[Xplodor]

What are it's limits with articulation, I'd rather go with shocks if it's going to give me more travel, but if I'm going to use my stock springs for a SOA, then I'd like the extra support when I go romping and catch some minor air.

 

[PUR PONY]

I have been asking this question for the past year.....

I want to put a set of coil over shocks on the front of my explorer........ Id love to get rid of my torsion bars.. but...

All i am looking for out of the coil over is to stiffen the front up. I have my ruck lowered by loosening the TBs....

this makes the front a little bounce.... i wanted to install a set of coil over (not to lift it) but to firm the ride some. I just installed front and rear coil overs on my mustang and they are awesome!!!!

I have to call trail master and see if they can cross reference a coil over for the front of My X.......