Lowering Springs for 2005 XLT 4x4?

[28HopUp]

Hello All,

I did search around here, but I didn't find enough information about lowering springs for a 3rd generation Explorer.

Explorer Express offers the ground force lowering springs for $269 (w/o the camber adjustment hardware). They say it's a 1.6" drop:
Explorer Express Link

I've seen that Steeda offers lowering springs, but their ad listed the applicable years as 2001-2004 (you'd think that they'd get it right!):
Steeda Link

AutoPartsWarehouse offers a drop kit, but it only contains front OR rear springs (WTF?). The third one down is for 4x4:
AutoPartsWarehouse Link

I've never heard of Sprint Springs, through www.2kracing.com:
Sprint Springs Link


There are others that offer a differing amount of drop, which is not necessarily what I'm after. So forgive my n00b question, but what are your recommendations for lowering springs for the 3rd gen X?

TIA!

Bill Jr.

 

[shadowless127]

a lot of ppl dont like the harsh ride of the Ground Force springs, although the look and stance is fantastic.

 

[EXPLORER04]

in my opinion, the x is not made to be lowered, but i have heard more good things about ground force than any other brand. Thats the one i would go with.

 

[Uafan]

I've heard nothing but good thing about ground force. I'm wanting to lower my explorer as well, definately post pictures if you go thru with it please!

 

[28HopUp]

in my opinion, the x is not made to be lowered, but i have heard more good things about ground force than any other brand. Thats the one i would go with.

I can relate to that opinion. I wasn't sure how it would look, so at Mustang Forums I asked somebody with talent to chop my truck with darker rims and lower it by 2". Here is the before & after:

And although it looks good, I'm still not convinced if the improved stance (IMO) is worth the harsher ride. I could always go with larger tires as a way to fill up the wheelwells. Anybody out there with the Ground Force springs wanna share their experince?

 

[JCUZ]

I can relate to that opinion. I wasn't sure how it would look, so at Mustang Forums I asked somebody with talent to chop my truck with darker rims and lower it by 2". Here is the before & after:

And although it looks good, I'm still not convinced if the improved stance (IMO) is worth the harsher ride. I could always go with larger tires as a way to fill up the wheelwells. Anybody out there with the Ground Force springs wanna share their experince?

I lowered mine, but to get the correct alignment, you need a camber kit front and back - prices here in OZ meant that it was cheaper for me to put raised/lift springs in, so that's the way I've gone. The lowered Ex was definitely harsher, but overall was not too bad.

 

[asimp]

Here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183506

 

[28HopUp]

I am currently back up to stock height. The ride quality was horrible lowered.....looking to do something custom to bring it back down.

Now that's the kind of feedback I wanted to hear. Thanks for posting the link to that thread. When I joined I had read the 1st page of that thread, and your pics convinced me to remove my roof rack. I don't want my ride quality to suffer, so I'll keep the stock ride height and take the money I would have used on springs/kit and spend it on rims/tires. Thanks Aaron for posting your experience!

 

[Melon]

The roof rack is removeable? I may have to look into that...

And I've been considering lowering mine as well but with it being a daily driver, I'd prefer not to have ride quality suffer. My T-Bird is lowered - and yes, the ride is a bit rougher, but the suspension was beefed up, though it's not that bad either. I still enjoy the ride.

Instead of lowering, maybe go with 19" to help fill in the wheel gap? I was thinking of 18's at some point, but perhaps 19's would be a better answer.

-Melon