Performance Gain

[Pixel Eater]

Is there a performance gain in lowering an explorer? Does it turn better or something?

 

[RubySlow]

When lowering a vehicle you lower its center of gravity... but where there is a gain theres always a take..

Personally mine handles corners better but its a harder ride

 

[Spdrcer34]

Better handling....period.

Isn't that reason enough?

Ryan

 

[IZwack]

my $0.02 on lowering

Lowering a 2nd gen Explorer by turning the torsion bolts backwards is, IMO, the wrong way of lowering the front for street use as this leads to a very soft front suspension which performs very poorly on cornering and bumps.

People who do the "Torsion Twist" to lift their 2nd generation Explorers have better road-handling characteristics due to the very stiff front suspension but a higher center of gravity. And of course conversely, they have sub-par suspension characteristics for off-road trails.

 

[jah81592]

Lowering a 2nd gen Explorer by turning the torsion bolts backwards is, IMO, the wrong way of lowering the front for street use as this leads to a very soft front suspension which performs very poorly on cornering and bumps.

People who do the "Torsion Twist" to lift their 2nd generation Explorers have better road-handling characteristics due to the very stiff front suspension but a higher center of gravity. And of course conversely, they have sub-par suspension characteristics for off-road trails.

I agree 100%! If you are going to lower then I recommend a kit which will lower properly and not just for looks. Performance wise lowering will help in the handling department.-j

 

[93 x_SPORT]

When you say kit, do you mean something similar to the Explorer Express kit or...?

 

[Redtrac01]

Is there a performance gain in lowering an explorer? Does it turn better or something?

Performance and handling are 2 different things. It will corner better (handling) and it may gain some efficiency (performance) from better aerodynamics. This will be minimal and only noticable at faster speeds.

 

[93 x_SPORT]

Performance and handling are 2 different things. It will corner better (handling) and it may gain some efficiency (performance) from better aerodynamics. This will be minimal and only noticable at faster speeds.

I disagree. Performance is not limited to the drivetrain. Performance should include things like speed and agility. For example, how well your suspension "performs", would be a level of performance.

I do agree that "handling" and "ride quality" are two different things and you may have to sacrifice one to gain the other.

 

[reserved50]

this the wrong way to lower a truck

1. add blocks to the rear so the axle acts as a lever on the springs
2. undo front torsion bolts to lower the preload on the front springs for a softer rate
3 keep the stock shocks which are not valved for lower cars and have wrong height
3. do not modify bump stops so the suspension bottoms out
4 add adjusters to stock front arms knowing the ball-joint angles are wrong
5 do not add larger anti-sway bars to reduce roll on turns even further
6 do not replace bushings with poly units and use stronger end-link bars for better control and less breakage
7 do no re-check drive-line angles, pinion etc
8 etc etc etc

The right way costs too much and not worth it by the time you're done unless all you care about is looks, then just add blocks and undo the torsion bolts and add front camber/caster adjusters up to about 2" of lowering

 

[gumby]

Lowering a 2nd gen Explorer by turning the torsion bolts backwards is, IMO, the wrong way of lowering the front....

what would be the right way?



while i agree that removing preload is not the ideal way to lower a vehicle, i dont see much alternative for these trucks w/o a full custom setup.

i stepped up to #1 bars when i lowered my mounty in an attempt to retain some spring rate and ride/handling in the front. i also only dropped the front 1.5" or so due geometry limitations.

 

[aldive]

Handles somewhat better; rides like crap.

 

[IZwack]

while i agree that removing preload is not the ideal way to lower a vehicle, i dont see much alternative for these trucks w/o a full custom setup.

And your right, there is no real way to lower this type of suspension w/o some modification.

 

[Spdrcer34]

If someone would just make a drop spindle.....

If someone offered a drop spindle it would be possible to lower the vehicle 2" and not lose 1 bit of ride quality.

As you could lower the X up front with a drop spindle and in the rear, a drop block. Shock travel and spring rate would be all the same.

Ryan

 

[gumby]

If someone would just make a drop spindle.....

a drop spindle would be wicked, however the first problem i see in buildin a drop spindle for a 2nd gen is that it would REQUIRE at least 18" wheels.

i have 17's and there is only 1.25" between the lower ball joint and the rim.

im sure if i looked deeper i would find other issues, but this one jumped up in my face almost immediately. pretty much soured the whole idea for me.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Well, I have 18" Saleen wheels...no problem for me!

Ryan