Installing Air Ride?

[239]

Has anyone installed the air ride shocks, module, sensors, and wiring on a non air ride Explorer? I’ve found the required parts online and I’m wondering if it’s as simple as bolting everything on. I don’t have a message center so I’m wondering if that’s required. I do see the check suspension light on my dash so that’s there already. I have 3” lift springs on the back so that may affect the shocks.

 

[CDW6212R]

I installed the system in my 1999 Limited, it was a very big job. But I was reconstructing the entire body(rolled), so it had to come all apart anyway. It's mostly wiring harnesses, every one in the truck except the doors and hatch. There's a frame harness which has the wires going to the compressor. So I would not do it from scratch like I did it. I swapped the 95-98 ARC module for a 99-01, I wanted just the rear air shocks. You can get the rear AC shocks with little trouble, but the one choice there was for the front, used to be $160 each. I wouldn't want to do that.

What model is yours, did it by chance have the ARC, which would still have the switch in the left rear, above the jack in the corner? If it had it, then the repair of it would be not too bad.

 

[239]

I installed the system in my 1999 Limited, it was a very big job. But I was reconstructing the entire body(rolled), so it had to come all apart anyway. It's mostly wiring harnesses, every one in the truck except the doors and hatch. There's a frame harness which has the wires going to the compressor. So I would not do it from scratch like I did it. I swapped the 95-98 ARC module for a 99-01, I wanted just the rear air shocks. You can get the rear AC shocks with little trouble, but the one choice there was for the front, used to be $160 each. I wouldn't want to do that.

What model is yours, did it by chance have the ARC, which would still have the switch in the left rear, above the jack in the corner? If it had it, then the repair of it would be not too bad.

Mine is a 2000 XLT. It has the 8&9 air ride fuses from the factory but no switch in the jack compartment. I’ve found the entire harness new online in just wondering if I need a message center to complete the system since I already have the unlit gauge on the dash. If it’s as simple as buying the harness and bolting the sensors and other parts on I might try it.

 

[CDW6212R]

You have probably found an aftermarket air ride system, which is much easier to install than the OEM one. The stock system has ARC wiring in the dash harness, the body harness, the frame harness, and a few wires in the engine bay harness. I had bought those harnesses from a 98 Limited because my 99 had cut wires in its dash and body harness. So replacing those saved me a lot of repair work, and it gave me most of what I needed to add the ARC. The stock ARC uses a small trigger wheel and sensor on the lower steering shaft, long air lines plus solenoids, and the height sensors(3), which are obsolete and often worn out. I've briefly tried to locate a spare air compressor, but didn't find on the couple of times I looked.

 

[239]

You have probably found an aftermarket air ride system, which is much easier to install than the OEM one. The stock system has ARC wiring in the dash harness, the body harness, the frame harness, and a few wires in the engine bay harness. I had bought those harnesses from a 98 Limited because my 99 had cut wires in its dash and body harness. So replacing those saved me a lot of repair work, and it gave me most of what I needed to add the ARC. The stock ARC uses a small trigger wheel and sensor on the lower steering shaft, long air lines plus solenoids, and the height sensors(3), which are obsolete and often worn out. I've briefly tried to locate a spare air compressor, but didn't find on the couple of times I looked.

The part I found comes in a Ford box and is part number XL2Z-14B455-AA. I have an unused connector under the steering shaft. I’m hoping this install is as easy as the back up sensor system I pulled from an Eddie Bauer. Everything plugged right in to my harness and the connectors were there from the factory. But if this system wasn’t offered for XLTs then I may be missing some wiring.

 

[wollimann]

XL2Z-14B455-AA

I would say thats a air bag wiring, not a ARC wiring.

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[239]

I would say thats a air bag wiring, not a ARC wiring.

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It looks like it may be for the air bags.

 

[410Fortune]

Maybe easier to just install some air shocks or airbags with a simple air line

What are you trying to accomplish with the air ride?

 

[239]

Maybe easier to just install some air shocks or airbags with a simple air line

What are you trying to accomplish with the air ride?

I’d like the auto leveling feature when there’s additional weight on the back of the truck. I also enjoy adding factory options when I can, especially if the connectors are already there.

I have some old man emu lift springs that I’m throwing on the back soon so that should help.

 

[wollimann]

Like that feature too, but the Ford load leveling for the rear or the ARC system is very complex
in parts/wires and causes much of issues. Most parts are not available anymore or extremely expensive.
If you only interested to lift the rear for additional weight, air shocks are the cheapest way.

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Unfortunately they last not for many years, ride quality is not convincing, ride high is restricted, no automatic control.

Any other solutions with onboard air compressor, maybe airbags with brakets, other good shocks,
tears a big hole in your wallet.

Air Lift 59514 load leveling kit

Hy guys, we own our 97 Explorer 4.0 sohc for now about 25 years/ 275000 KM and many pairs of rear load leveling shock absorbers (Motorcraft, Monroe, and so on...) find their way into my lovely daily driver. They last about 2-4 years, get rusty and lost their air, a new pair from Rock Auto lost...

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