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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I am wondering if anyone has part numbers for shocks they recomend for a sport trac with a TT so only 1.5 over stock. I need new ones so might as well get longer ones.
I was told by another member with a lifted sport trac that the ProComp ES9000's with part # 918515 will bolt right in the front. And he said they are longer. Just make sure that with the longer shocks the upper a-arm doest smack against the frame. I had bought larger torsion keys and when I cranked them up my upper a-arm would smack against the frame. But I went like 3" or 4" so only going 1.5" you should be fine. If they do hit the frame you could always put come limiting straps.
The ST with a TT doesn't need longer shocks if going less then two inches. If you look at the different shock sites (Rancho, etc...) you'll see the "lifted" shock is the same length as the stock height shock. I've ran Rancho 9000XL's, Monroe Sensatrac's and now I'm running Rancho 5000's (all of which have the same compressed length and extended length's.
You are more likely to bottom out a lifted shock than you are to overextend a stock shock. I have about 1.5" TT and stock length RS5000s have worked great in the toughest conditions this truck can handle.
a standard rs5000 shock would work. i had torsion bars cranked all the way up and they did fine. you honestly don't need extended shocks it was like what offtrac said, id be more worried about bottoming a taller shock out rather than overextending them. if worse comes to worse you could just put limit straps in if you really went high.
The only shock for all my rigs has been for the last 20something years is the Bistein hands down.As long as you dont treat your ST like a Trophy Truck, that should be the last shock you put on that truck.Put it this way;If my better half can feel the difference on our 01 Expy on road with large tires, and she liked the stability of it, you know you are on to something good.Dont buy cheap shocks.You get what you pay for.I quit using Rancho 5000's back when I was a wee young lad.They dont hold up for long.There are a ton of shocks out there, so take your time.
The best piece of advise i tell customers is;What do you envision doing with your truck,on and off road?From something like that,I would choose the best shock for their specific needs,and most importantly,within their budget.PM me should you have ny advise.
Thanks
Still just a wee lad myself but I had Bilsteins on my wife's lifted '05 Z71 Tahoe and they were too soft. The KYBs I replaced them with after 3 years were much improved. Bilsteins are great and I love the ones I have on my '69 Cougar but no one brand makes the best shock for every application.
Even with LR E tires on my ST, the Ranchos balance stiff and comfortable very nicely IMO. I've only had them for three years now but if they needed replaced already, I'd go back with them in a heartbeat. They're not that expensive. But I'm just a wee lad, so take it for what it's worth, lol.
I am wondering if anyone has part numbers for shocks they recomend for a sport trac with a TT so only 1.5 over stock. I need new ones so might as well get longer ones.
I have been making my own shock extenders on my Explorers I have had when I do the TT,AAL and shackle. I found early on that when I didn't extend them it road rougher. I call it topping out over dips and bumps. Meaning the shock was limiting travel, by lengthening them it gave me the travel back. This is my two cents worth anyway.
^i wouldn't think you would need them. a stock shock has plenty of uptravel and downtravel as it is. almost 10" actually. even though mine are fox 10's, they are almost the same length as a store bought shock and i have plenty more to go and i only have shackles. riding on the road there is no way to use a full 10 inches of travel even with an add a leaf.
Shooter, you've clearly never driven on the beautiful (insert sarcastic laugh here) streets of Pittsburgh before. I've done more damage (in the last two years) to my suspension/ steering parts driving on these roads than I've done wheelin' in any of my rigs over the last twenty years. Trust me, with the roads here you can easily get full flex just driving done a city street. I'm pretty sure Hugh has driven on these roads and knows what they're like. LOL.
Shooter, you've clearly never driven on the beautiful (insert sarcastic laugh here) streets of Pittsburgh before. I've done more damage (in the last two years) to my suspension/ steering parts driving on these roads than I've done wheelin' in any of my rigs over the last twenty years. Trust me, with the roads here you can easily get full flex just driving done a city street. I'm pretty sure Hugh has driven on these roads and knows what they're like. LOL.
Hell, pure hell. Surprising considering the roads have been under construction my whole life. And don't miss your exit unless you want to drive around the entire city again. Only place I've seen worse roads in a major city was Memphis.
SC has pretty bad roads as well, instead of repaving, they patch the roads and it only gets worse. They recently redid the horrendous railroad tracks in my town as well and now, made it worse of course, they are like jumping a whoop in a whoop section on a motocross track. lol.
Shooter, thats a nice looking piece! Kind of where my ST is heading. Im a 2wd, with a Camburg 6.0 kit up front and some minor spring work, and shackles in the rear for now until I fab up a bed cage for longer shocks ect. As of now, the truck came with Pro comp Mx-6's.6 Way adjustable,but as you probably know,its just now enough shock to control the wheel travel and the type of driving i have planned.What gears are you running in the rear? Im looking at 4.56's and a locker.
Thanks
Thanks dude, I'm only running 4.10s open right now, when I step up to the 295/70/18. I may bump up to a 4.56. All I do is drive around town it never goes offroad. At this point I'm ready to really dial in on these shocks. I really want together the compression adjusters. Also wanting to rebuild the hydro bumps and maybe even add resi's and compression adjusters on the kings. Those are big $$ especially king.
