question about ride height and shocks

[toddious]

I have the air ride system on my truck, which will set the truck at different ride heights. The question is, where do these correspond to a stock explorer?

I think the limited/EB's look a little lower, when in normal mode. But in 4wd, they get taller.

I am going to be taking this system out, and putting regular shocks in, and am wondering where it will sit after I do this. Is it going to be like having the air shocks all the way empty? all the way full? or somewhere in between?

and how do the air shocks work to raise the vehicle? Thanks, TOdd.

 

[toddious]

No one knows anything about shocks? Any help is appreciated! Todd

 

[95exploderboy]

I don't have any direct experience withthis but I will give it a go. A regular shock does not provide any lift for the vehicle, it only serves to dampen the up and down motion and sway of the suspension. Therefore I would say that removing the air shocks and replacing them with regular shocks would put it somewhere near where it sits when the air shocks are empty.

Not sure how they work on the Explorer, but I would think that the amount of air in them provides a different amount of dampening. And maybe along with that there would be an air bladder of some sort that ends up providing different ride heights.

 

[toddious]

I don't have any direct experience withthis but I will give it a go. A regular shock does not provide any lift for the vehicle, it only serves to dampen the up and down motion and sway of the suspension. Therefore I would say that removing the air shocks and replacing them with regular shocks would put it somewhere near where it sits when the air shocks are empty.

Not sure how they work on the Explorer, but I would think that the amount of air in them provides a different amount of dampening. And maybe along with that there would be an air bladder of some sort that ends up providing different ride heights.

damn, I was hoping that wasn't the case, because I don't want to lose any of my lift (but I don't want to pay $200 per shock for air shock replacements).

I always thought that the limiteds looked a little bit lower that the regular explorers, do you agree? I wonder if this was also caused by the air shocks. Todd.

 

[Millertime1987]

Why would you replace the air shocks they provide better stability then regular shocks?

 

[cgriffin_5139]

hey todd here is a good deal on your shocks

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171656&highlight=air+shocks

http://cgi.ebay.ca/FORD-EXPLORER-MO...sPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[toddious]

hey todd here is a good deal on your shocks

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171656&highlight=air+shocks

http://cgi.ebay.ca/FORD-EXPLORER-MO...sPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

I saw that link, however, it is for the rear shocks only. I would need to replace all 4 shocks.

Also, the air shocks do not hold up very well off road THey are not designed for that abuse, and the sensors do not like it at all. I am putting on some pro-comp 9000's.

I am replacing mine because 2 of them now leak, due to some heavy off-roading, so the air compressor is constantly running. I would love to be able to use the compressor with some new type of air bag system, or on-board air, but I don't have any idea how. Todd.

 

[Heavymentill]

My 96 in 2wd is 3 inches lower than my 99 sport.

 

[new]

hey man, all you really need to do is change the torsion bars when you do the shock change, i ripped out my air ride and lost about an overall of .5 inch in rear and .8 inch in front, i never changed the torsion bars, they take the place of the springs on our models, and all air rides have a "L" class t-bar, while the sports, and other models have t-bars ranging from "L"(softest) to a b class(stiffest) which will allow you to keep same ride height and also leave a little left over for a bit more of a TT incase youd like to raise, id go for a "B" class it will smooth the ride and have more give on the road, and it will be easier on the body(yours not you ex lol) during the hard core off roading as well, keep in mind though, the tighter you have you TT the more the risk gradually increases for a break of the T-bar during a good time, but this would be something that if your competent at all, youd realize before it happened you shouldnt go to that spot lol.

dont get me wrong, the "L" t-bars can be used, but they'll suck, and youll lose at least a little bit of height and ride comfort

 

[Greg_DonWindsor]

I also own a Limited, which came stock with the "Air Levelling" shocks. They do not function to set the truck at different ride heights, but rather are located on the rear axle only, and function to prevent rear end sag when towing or hauling a load. The truck has a sensor that tells it when the rear end is under load, and sometimes when you park on a hill, you can hear the compressor adding air to them just as you shut the truck off.

I removed the air levelling shocks, because they are fatter than usual, and would have prevented me from having my aftermarket exhaust installed as the last bend before the tip would have rubbed on and/or vibrated against the air levelling shocks.

I had the compressor deactivated, shocks removed, and went with Bilsteins all around, because they are gas charged and can not be cycled through their travel as easily. Word of advice, get these if you ever plan on upgrading to an aftermarket exhaust, I had initially installed Rancho 5000's at stock ride height, which also had a fat tube, and when I first installed my exhaust it would vibrate against them occasionally (like when parked on a hill and under compressing forces).

Hope this helps!

 

[blofeld69]

uk self leveling rear shocks

I had the compressor deactivated, shocks removed, and went with Bilsteins all around, because they are gas charged and can not be cycled through their travel as easily. Word of advice, get these if you ever plan on upgrading to an aftermarket exhaust, I had initially installed Rancho 5000's at stock ride height, which also had a fat tube, and when I first installed my exhaust it would vibrate against them occasionally (like when parked on a hill and under compressing forces).

Hope this helps!

What part number Bilsteins did you use and would they fit my uk explorer with 3" BL and 2" shackles.

Something wrong with my self levelling shocks anyway as the compressor is on everytime I shut the doors for at least 5 minutes