Rollover factor

[reedothafreedo]

I am soon to be purchasing a '98 sport 4x4 and i am haveing second thoughts about it. I have heard a lot about explorers being dangerous and them rolling over a lot. Is there any truth to this? How careful do u really need to be? I am also planning to lift my sport a few inches. What other percautions do i need to take to make my ride a safer vehical?

 

[Alec]

The Explorer is no more or less prone to rolling over than any other average SUV out there.

Many members including myself report better handling and stablility after lifting. If the lift is of good quality and alignment etc is good, then you're fine. Also when going up you tend to go out in track width which greatly helps stability. Rule of thumb: for every inch of lift go out an inch of track width.

And no, these aren't sports cars so don't drive them as such. And if you have a blowout or some other emergency, no sudden driver inputs (steering, gas, brakes).

 

[izackary]

i suggest your first upgrade being the suspension anyways. i have bilsteins on mine and i'd never own another high-centered vehicle without getting premium shocks put on it.

 

[spindlecone]

The Explorer is no more or less prone to rolling over than any other average SUV out there.

Agree 100% with the above, but will disagree with the statement that a proper lift and wider stance will improve lateral stability, that makes no sense, unless the laws of gravity have been changed

 

[Alec]

stability is center of gravity vs track width in a nutshell (also suspension design, valving, etc). So if you increase track width by a larger factory than the COG raises, it increases stability.

 

[spindlecone]

Alec
I fully understand what you are saying, But bear in mind that the orig poster, is new to the site, at this point do's not nor may have never owned an SUV of any sort, is considering as per his post a lift of several inches.
also when people that are truck and SUV savvey, do a lift, they do tend to increase track width, some do not, thus increasing the potential of a rollover.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Don't let the people who remember the Firestone fiasco and are scared of Ford because of it talk you out of buying one. Its no more prone to rollovers then any other SUV and actually has less rollovers percentage wise then many others like the 4Runner and Cherokee. Its just that the Explorer has been the best selling SUV for 14 years, thus there are more on the road and a higher probability of one being in an accident then an SUV with lower sales. If you remember that you're driving a truck, not a Corvette, you'll be fine.

 

[CodePoet]

The most effective way to keep from rolling after a lift...drive with a grain of sence. It's not a sports car or even a stock suv, don't drive it as such. If you can increase the track width great...it'll really help. I'm going to lift my at least 7 inches before too long by doing an sas, with axles from a fullsize truck, not cut down so I'll have the increase track width for extra stability. If your just gonna lift it by a tt or body lift though...just go with a wider tire, and shocks are always helpfull

Later
CP

 

[kfkodiak]

Explorer Express Swaybars make a noticeable difference too.
Don't run your tires at 26 psi either. If the door sticker says 26, ignore it. I never run less than 30, some members will recommend higher than that.

 

[CodePoet]

with a lift though I would think you would need extended sway bar links...has anyone done this??

cp

 

[spta97]

My 99 Durango seemed more prone to rollover than my 00 Explorer. Then again I could just be growing up