Limited suspension, 96/97

[V8Pete]

I asked this a couple of years ago, but never got a good answer, so maybe some of the newer members have an idea:

Does anyone know why the '96 and '97 (could be other years, but these for sure) Explorers are lower than other models? I'm not talking about running boards, I'm talking about actual ride height. The fender gap on these is significantly less than other models.

Also, if anyone owns one of these, preferable a 2WD V8 (I'm assuming they made these in 2WD) - can you give me the spring codes? They're on the sticker on the driver's door jamb. Let me know what year, engine, and 2 or 4WD also, please.

Thanks!

Pete

 

[Audio_1]

i got a 97 4dr 4.0 4x4. i noticed they ride lower also

 

[jssong]

the air ride suspension does that to the limited and some eddie bauers. It lowers and raises the hieght about 2 or 3 inches. i thought the 96-98 , which owered and raised front and back manually, and automatically on highways and when the car was off. and only automatically on 99-01s which were an option as the air-ride suspension which only raised and lowered the rear.

 

[V8Pete]

Jssong:

OK, I understand how the air ride can raise the ride height, but how does it lower it? If all the air is out, then it's on the springs, right? I'm assuming this is air assist to the regular torsion bars and leaf springs, and not full air suspension like a Lincoln, where the air bladders replace the springs. Right?

 

[liquidx9]

ive got the same thing going on with mine.... anyone know if i can fit 31s under there?

 

[MikeTEC]

V-8Pete: I have a 1996 Limited 5.0L V-8 with two wheel drive and no automatic air suspension. The spr (spring) codes are B & F. It does sit low. In fact, I have a 93 Eddie Bauer two wheel drive sitting right next to it in my garage. Both have new Michelin LTX MX tires. I would say the 96 Limited 5.0 is about 1" lower overall..prehaps more. Guess Ford figured folks who are in the market for Limited Edition Explorers want to be able to get and out easier! The 96 Limited suspension is softer in the rear than the 93 EB, but you still know it is a truck when you hit a good size bump! Mike

 

[jssong]

once again.. im not positive.. but i believe the limited and some eddie bauers with the air ride in the earlier years have a ride height normally lower. it sits lower and is lower unless u raise it for off road. its somewhat like the systems on range rovers. im sure someone on this forum knows for sure.. but most people here dont have the limted with air ride...

 

[V8Pete]

Mike:

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I really appreciate your confirming what I thought, and sharing the spring codes. I'm going to look in to swapping to the Limited springs, and maybe getting rid of the lowering blocks.

Thanks again,

Pete

 

[MikeTEC]

Pete: You are welcome! I bought this 96 Limited about 3 months ago. It is a different animal compared to my 93 4.0L. I bought it for more power to tow our small travel trailer in the mountains. I have about decided the engine is more kin to a mustang than a truck. And the wide range transmission has a different feel, too. Still trying to get rid of a "clunk" felt in the steering column felt at 10-15 MPH. Mike

 

[MikeTEC]

Pete: Have you ever had a "clunking" felt in your steering column? Had my torsion bar adjusters replaced but that did not help. Looks like the front sway bar bushing is rubber, so that probably is not it. Let me know as us "Limited" guys have to stick together! Mike

 

[liquidx9]

never had that clunking feeling, gotta love limiteds

 

[MikeTEC]

Liquid: You are right. They are NICE. Pretty plush. Honestly I thought they would ride more like a car, but they are still trucks. Mine is the Ivory Pearl color...looks like it should belong to a female country western singer! But I sure like the rumble and power of the 5.0L engine. Wish it made its torque at about 2400RPM, rather than 3200RPM. Again, I believe it must have a lot of hot Mustang parts in it, rather than a F-150 5.0L truck engine. Mike

 

[V8Pete]

Mike:

Well, I went out to confirm my spring codes, which I hadn't done in a long time, and they're also B and F! So I'm back to square one.

I don't have a "clunk" in the steering column, but I have some looseness. The front end shop I go to, which has some really knowledgable guys, told me there's a bushing of some sort in the column, and it tends to get loose over time. They said it's a little annoying, but not dangerous by any means. I've also got a clunk in the right front which I can hear sometimes under heavy braking, or braking while going up a small curb or over a speed bump. They, and I, can't find it. Everything's tight - ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar. The only other thing I can think of is the torsion bar, since I've loosened it up quite a bit.

Your engine has a lot more in common with a Mustang than an F-150. I believe the only difference between the '96 X engine and a GT-40 is the cam. The stock exhaust manifolds are a weak spot.

Pete

 

[MikeTEC]

Pete:

My "clunk" could be some type of looseness in the steering column too. Just feel it at low speeds on uneven surfaces such as a parking lot. Have done an a search on all the posts on clunking and decided to take a chance and have the torsion bar adjusters replace..and tbey were worn out...but the new ones did not completely solve the problem. I suspect the two part steering linkage is the culprit...this is designed as a safety feature should a crash occur, or so I am told by a senior master Ford tech.

You are right, Pete, in that the exhaust manifolds are the weak part. I would change them out with headers but afraid I would loose low end torque. And useable low end torque, not horsepower, is what I am after for towing purposes. I sure do like to hear that 5.0L rumble! Good luck on the spring situation! Mike

 

[liquidx9]

the block is basically a stock 5.0 mustang block, with the cobra intake, and gt-40(p) heads, if you want more low end torque, look through some mustang magazines and camshafts, pistons, etc, these engines have a lot of potential

 

[MikeTEC]

Liquid: Not ready change any major componets at present, other than perhaps locate/searchout a manufacturer who has headers that are designed to enhance torque, rather than create horsepower and loose torque. Wonder if a larger torque converter would help? Mike

 

[liquidx9]

larger torque converter won't help, it doesnt create the torque, just converts it.. any headers for an explorer are going to kill torque... but, heres the big but, youll have more horsepower at lower RPMS, and you'll have more useable torque earlier in the RPM range seeing as the engine is breathing a LOT freer... hope that helps..

 

[MikeTEC]

Pete, Liquid, JSSong..any of you all ever replaced your rubber bushings and tried poly bushings on your stock/OE front and rear sway bars? Mike

 

[liquidx9]

nope, if you do, tell us what happens

 

[Stephen]

I have a 97 V6. As far as I know, the air springs assist the standard suspension, it is NOT a full air suspension like a Lincoln. At least I hope its not, I had 90 and 93 Continentals and the air ride failed on both. $3 grand plus a repaint of the rear bumper because it dragged the ground...