Suspension Questions

[Packin]

I'm needing some advice on what I need to do to my Explorer to make it a smoother ride. Its a 1998 V8 AWD, with American Racing 15" wheels and BF Goodrich All Terrain oversized 31" tires. 55k miles. I don't do any offroading with it. The problem I'm having is when I go over intersections or humps in the road, something in the front end sounds like it bottoms out and the truck bounces you up and down. I also have a 96 2WD V8, with a 170K miles that handles the same situations with no problems at all, nice and smooth.

This is my wife's truck and she doesn't feel safe driving it, so I need to get it fixed.

What all suspension parts need to be replaced. Does the truck need to be lowered from its factory height...it sits up higher than my 2WD EB. Would the Explorer Express Handling kit be helpful with something like this. Should I go with 20" wheels and low profile tires....would having larger wheels and lower profile tires help in the "springy" feel of the truck?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[etc]

Sounds like bad shocks to me.

 

[exploded99]

Stop in an alignment shop and have them give you an opinion on your ball joints. I have a 99 AWD with some big tires and had to do ball joints at 60k. Lowers go first. If you need them, you might want to get the commercial duty ones - they cost $10.00 more per side, and last a lot longer.

As to the up down, up down bounce , I am guessing you have the original shocks on the truck, which are now shot. So a new set of shocks are in order - I have Sensatracs on mine which ride pretty well. Replaced shocks on mine when the ball joints went and it made a BIG difference.