Spacers for 98 XLT 2wd

[wwwbest]

I just got a 98 XLT 2wd for my 17 year old son. His driving skills are good (not great) and he has limited experience driving on highways. Since I picked it up, I have spoke to 3 people who had their similar Explorers flip over on the highway while trying to make an evasive maneuvers. It's kind of freaking me out!

I am putting new tires on the explorer. The tire store recommended that I put 1/4 inch spacers on the wheels for better control. He said it would go between the hub and wheel using ET style lug nuts.

My mechanic, on the other hand, suggested I check out this forum to get other's opinions. His concern is the potential downside to spacers.

The 1998 XLT 2wd details... it has 243,000 miles on it but my mechanic says it is in really good shape. It had a single owner. The owner was in his 70's and did mostly highway driving.

Questions: What is the downside to adding the spacer? Is there any real upside. Also, would the type of tire, (highway or All terrain make a difference to the stability?)

Please help, I am buying the tires tomorrow.

 

[IZwack]

A stiffer anti-sway bar would help:
http://www.explorerexpress.com/swaybars-9801-explorer-xspec-sway-rear-p-357.html

Widening the track width wont really help that much so try the anti-sway bars.

 

[99ex22]

Also, look into getting stiffer shocks like the KYB Monomax by the way explorers arnt any easier to roll over than any other suv...say a jeep or a chevy blazer. I have mine lifted and I always think to myself while driving it....how in the world do people roll these things? You just cant drive it like a little economy car or a mustang...it's a truck.

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

To be honost they are pretty stable, I have driven Blazers and bronco IIs that are more tippy than my x. For example the Bronco II , Mitusbishi Montero (older models)and Mitsubishi Troopers just to name a few are alot more prone to tipping than an Explorer. Now it is And SUV they are not meant for spinning doughnuts and such, and typically when an X is rolled its usually from the driver acting like an idiot.

 

[Donner]

Can you put wheel spacers on a 2001 Sport 4x? The rear wheels are tucked in further than the front, but I'd like to put spacers on both axles... There's a 2" lift on this thing, but the wheels and tires are going to be changed. Spacers, is that do-able? Thanks!

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

You should be able to, wheel spacers bold onto your old lug bolts and then you bolt the tire on tot he new lugs on the spacer. If you do use spacers i would clean up the old lug bolts really well and use locktite on them when you put the spacer on, atleast thats what I would do.

 

[Donner]

Great! Thank you... I'll see what can be done

 

[goatman]

Hey Best, I'm in agreement that your '98 is not anymore unstable than other SUV's out there. I believe there is something to be said about a wider stance. I ran 1 1/2 inch spacers on my '94 and took her places like Windrock here in east Tennessee. I never felt like she was wanting to go over on the trail or on the street and I can tend to be a little aggressive on these curvey roads. If your boy keeps his head about him, the Ex. won't do him wrong.