Shocks for a 98 XLT?

[InkWax]

I just purchased my fathers 98 XLT. He beats the living heck out of his vehicles. It comes along with his job. SOMEHOW he drove 261k miles on the stock shocks without ever replacing them. I would have never bought the truck except I know that he takes imactulate care of his vehicles....oil every 3k which is about every 2.5 weeks.

Right now the truck runs great except for the stupid exhaust noise coming from the engine....the mechanic says its the manifold. Maybe someone can give me advice on getting rid of it...without spending 1000 dollars to fix it...

Right now the X feels like a rollercoaster. I was searching through the posts and saw one about the bounce test. Jump on it.....well I did it to the front and the back to see if there was a difference. HUGE difference. When I jump on the rear bumper and jump off it doesnt seem to move much at all...(this could be cause I weigh 150lbs) BUT when I jump on the front bumper the front bounces like a superbouncy ball dropped from the Empire state building. When I pull into my driveway and park the X will continue to rock side to side for ....uhh...10-15secs

I am looking into getting new shocks for the truck...my father used to drive the X with anywhere from nothing in the rear to upwards of 2000lbs worth of candles in the truck. I would assume that all the shocks are dying but I dont know how to test other than the bounce test.

I am going to be addind a hitch, although I wont be towing all that often it will be more for a bike rack. I would like to do something similar to the X-spec suspension but I would like to keep the stock hieght. I would like to get rid of the side "rolling" if you will.

I have been looking at maybe bilstien's or ranchos. I want a smooth ride and Bilstiens seem to be a harder ride with better roll control. I dont want Monroe's or Edelbrocks so I am looking for some new smooth shocks to reduce the bouncing/rolling and to ride a bit more like a car.

Can anyone suggest a good upgrade/fix to my problems. I can spend about $600 for the shocks/suspension. Also, if anyone can suggest a fix for the (possible manifold) exhaust engine noise. (it sounds like an exhaust leak in the engine)


ps - its a V8 5.0 AWD

 

[SplashMan]

I recommend the Rancho 9000s. That way you can adjust them for how you want the X to drive on the road and tighten them when towing. You can even get the incab system so you can adjust them from there.

 

[Alec]

Yup, Rancho 9000s, and the Explorer Express swaybars.

 

[InkWax]

I should inform you all that I do not plan on offroading too much. I am concerned that the adjustable ride of the Rancho's might falter. Anyone ever have that problem? I was looking at the Bilstien HD's also. Is there any reason to choose the Rancho's over the Bilstiens???

Also, what would the Sway bar do for me as far as ride quality? Since I have the 98XLT do I need just the rear sway bar? Will it get in the way of a hitch?

God I am such a newb at Explorers..........bear with me

 

[Alec]

The Rancho's adjustability rarely fails, I've only heard about it on competition rigs. The benefit of the 9000s is that you can adjust them.

The rear bar will help greatly with handling (not ride) and has nothing to do with a hitch. Get the split collets too.

 

[InkWax]

ok I understood everything up to the split collets.....wanna clue me in. Thanks

 

[Alec]

They eliminate side to side movement of the bar, enhancing handling.

 

[2001ExpSport]

I have a set of Monroe Reflex truck shocks. They run about $50 each and have moe rebound control over the stock shocks. In other words less bouncing. I have been very happy with the shocks and when I changed them it was a big difference in ride and handling.

I agree with the swaybar upgrade. The stock bars on the 98 are not very stiff to begin with and after over 200k, it's safe to say they are probably ready for the dump.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Originally posted by Alec
They eliminate side to side movement of the bar, enhancing handling.

Are you talking about horizontal shift? If so do you have a link to these collets?

 

[InkWax]

Ok so a full set of shocks.....swaybar(s)...and these split collets......

Do you think I need both front and rear sway bars.....

Where do these split collets install/go???

Was talking to my mechanic tonight and he said there might be a possibility that my leaf springs might be dead.... said he wont know until the shocks come off... is there anyway to see if I need new ones? My father used to bottom the shocks out with all the wieght he used to carry....so much to the point that the mechanic thought it pointless to replace shocks cause they wouldnt help since the weight would bottom out the shocks....so leafs might be bad...anyone replaced them or know where to get them?

Thanks again....

 

[Alec]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89345

They're from Explorer Express.

 

[InkWax]

Another stupid question.....

When I look on Exp Express it shows that a 98 on needs a rear sway bar and I dont see where I can purchase a front sway bar.....unless a diferent kit works for a 98? Also, what is the point of a split collet???

 

[Alec]

Originally posted by Alec
They eliminate side to side movement of the bar, enhancing handling.

And as the EE site states, the 98+ has a solid bar and doesn't gain much from a new one (which I'd forgotten).

It helps to read all the info you're presented with

 

[InkWax]

Well, actually I had read that and it didnt make sense to me. I guess that stems from the fact that I dont quite understand how a sway bar works....I know the principle behind it but how it actually improves the handling I dont get....

So although the info was presented quite well, sometimes there are other factors for people asking stupid questions....

So, How does it work and how does it "enchace"??

 

[Alec]

An (anti) swaybar attaches to the axle and also to other points on the vehicle. On the second gen X the front attaches to the lower Aarms and the frame, and the rear attaches to the axle and endlinks from the frame.

On the rear there are brackets which hold the swaybar (in bushings) to the axle. The split collets are basically collars that go on the swaybar tight against the bushings. Since everything is tight, the swaybar can't slide laterally through the bushings. This better enables it to balance loads from side to side, which is the whole point of the bar.

 

[InkWax]

Thank you Alec. I hope I did not sound too rude in the previous post. I in no way meant it to be rude. I have been having one of those days.....nothing is working right or going right....so I apologize since I apreciate all the help you have given me.

That is a great explination and I completely understand the swaybar w/split collets now.

So, looks like I am getting the swaybar....now to just figure out if I want the Rancho's or the Bilstien's....you all here seem to love the Ranchos and since no one seems to have had problems with them that might be the way to go.......

How hard are the Rancho's to adjust? Is it as simple as getting under there and turning a nob or is it take a wrench and tightening/loosening something?

Anyone know about what price range I should be expecting for the Rancho's or even the Bilstien HD's????

Thanks

 

[Alec]

No problem, I appologize for the same.

The Ranchos just have a knob. As long as you mount them right the knob is easy to get to and takes about 10 seconds to adjust.

I'm just partial to them because they rarely fail and many don't like the ride of the Bilsteins (though many do). The 9000s are usually 60-90 each.