Shock Recommendations

[collegeoffroad]

My uncle has cronic neck problems due to a side-impact wreck, where the other car blindsided him. He now has a '99 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer, with the stock shocks and would like something that doesn't bang him around as much. Having an XJ, myself, I would have told him to go Old Man Emu, except that they don't make 'em for explorers. So do y'all have any suggestions for a very comfortable, smooth ride (this one won't see a spec of offroad, and he drives around 150 mi. to work each day)? I've heard that the Monroe Sensitrac, or the Bilsteins were good for explorers (yet i've also heard that the Bilsteins tend to give a rough ride and are a bit stifffer). Let me know what y'all think- any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

P.S. I'm also trying to convince him to do the anti-sway bar in the rear, which would hopefully help the handling and ride at least a little.

 

[aldive]

The rear Explorer Express sway bar should be a "must" mod.

As far as shocks go, I have Edelbrock ISA and they are great.

 

[Yomie]

Originally posted by collegeoffroad
P.S. I'm also trying to convince him to do the anti-sway bar in the rear, which would hopefully help the handling and ride at least a little.

You know the Explorer has a sway bar in the rear from the factory, but if you are talking about the upgrade that would be a good idea for flatter turns and handling.

I'm not positive about shocks, due to me being an offroad guy.

Welcome to the site

 

[espnfreak]

I heard the Edelbrock IAS shocks are stiffer than the bilsteins, I havent tried either, but I planning on buying Bilsteins in a few months.

 

[Jason_25]

They do make OME's for the 95+ explorers. They are supposed to be good, stiff shocks. The rear shocks are designed to be used with the OME 2" lift leaf springs.

 

[collegeoffroad]

Re: Re: Shock Recommendations

Originally posted by Yomie
You know the Explorer has a sway bar in the rear from the factory, but if you are talking about the upgrade that would be a good idea for flatter turns and handling.

I'm not positive about shocks, due to me being an offroad guy.

Welcome to the site

thanks for the tip ...actually knew that one already after looking it up on explorerexpress, but I hadn't heard how much it can really change the performance of the truck. As far as the bilsteins go, my brother has a pair on his 98 explorer and they ride fairly smooth, but they've been settled quite a bit. I think my uncle is basically looking for that buick "boulevard ride" out of his explorer (if that's possible). Are the Edelbrock's stiff?? There are a couple people in my Jeep club with them on TJ's, but from what i heard, they are more of an offroad shock-wonder if the same thing applies to explorers...

 

[alphabets13]

i have edelbrocks for sale. they are no stiffer than bilsteins and much less stiff than say kyb's. monroe's. either sensatracs or reflexes would probably be less stiff than edelbrocks, just they won't last as long as an edelbrock. hope this helps.

 

[InkWax]

You said that he was looking for the "Buick" ride in an Explorer right?

Well, it might not be in his price range but I think the best thing to do would be to get the ExplorerExpress X-spec Handling Package.

X-Spec Package

It runs about $800 bucks for the 99's (not including shipping)... but lowers the X, comes with new custom tuned shocks (to compliment the lowered X), and comes with the Rear Sway-Bar and suspension bumpers.... All of the above provide a much smoother ride for the X...

Just to give you something to think about.

My best suggestion would be to call John V. at Explorer Express and talk to him about it. He has been more than helpful with me when I needed answers...