Need help for my A.S.S...

[Lizard]

...Air Suspension System, that is.. I posed this question earlier, but only got a few lukewarm responses. I have a 1999 Explorer Limited, V-8,AWD, with the rear "Air Suspension System," (ASS) as described in my owner's manual. I want to leave my rear ASS alone, because it is working fine, but my front shocks (non-ASS) are doing more dribbling than Shaquille Oneil. I want to replace the front shocks only, preferrably with Bilsteins,(B46-2133) but all references say that they are not for use on air "self-leveling" vehicles.
Will the Bilsteins cause a difference in ride height, and cause my ASS to go crazy? Have any of you guys with the same ASS system as mine, changed out just the front shocks with Bilsteins, or any other aftermarket shocks?
Some have suggested just putting in aftermarket shocks all the way around, but I don't want to disable my perfectly good ASS.
Thanks for any advice. I don't want to do anything to get my ASS in trouble

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

I'd call Bilstein and ask them.

 

[Lizard]

"Bilstein Blues"

Well, now I've got the "Bilstein Blues." I called Bilstein HQ in California, yesterday, and they're pretty firm (pun, pun ) about not using their shocks on any air suspension systems. The rep said something like: "my references are pretty clear on this..no air suspension systems.."
He went on to say that the shocks would fit ok, but the Bilsteins probably have a different bias/dampening set up than Ford O.E., and it may cause problems with the attitude of the air system which may try to constantly compensate for the different modulation. He then said: " you could try them," which gave me a little hope, but then he threw me the usual disclaimer: "but we don't recommend it..." Off to the "stealership."