Wanting to improve highway ride stability.

[tycoonmonsoon]

Hello, I have recently acquired a 94 explorer sport 5 speed. It needs basically whole new chassis. But I was wondering what are the best things I can buy or do to smooth out my highway ride and boost fuel economy. I bought it for the sole purpose to drive back and forth to work. 72 mile round trip drive. I go to work no matter what the road condition which is why I wanted the sport 5 speed. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RangerX]

New shocks, new sway bar bushings, remove the add a leaf if it has one. How's the tires?
Why do you say it needs a whole new chassis?

 

[Jason94sport]

smooth out my highway ride

Please define....I haven't had any issue with the ride on the HW. I have take some long trips.
Shocks & tires & alignment can do wonders

 

[tycoonmonsoon]

It's an ohio vehicle rusty pulls to the right has some chassis vibration. 197,000 miles on it. I'm not driving it yet till I can dig into it.

 

[Number4]

Is it an issue in the steering, or just the ride? The first gen is not a "made to ride like a car" suv.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Shocks & tires & alignment can do wonders

^^ This. I love how mine handles since I put new tires & shocks on it. Doesn't roll as much around corners, feels firm. Best money spent.

 

[2stroke]

I'm sorry, but you chose the wrong vehicle for the job. It will never ride like a car, and it will never get good gas mileage. Shocks and tires, and it will handle fine, but it is a truck. Don't expect over 20 mpg.

 

[intelisevil]

Buy an old Subaru . . .

 

[Gadget X]

As stated above, shocks and tires are a good start. An alignment is probably also in order, but I would do the ball joints, front bearings, and check your tie rod ends first. Also, explorer express used to make an updated, "heavy duty" type rear sway bar that would improve the road manners. You can also check for play in the steering box, which can be adjusted to some degree. Not sure if it's still available, but something to look at. Good luck with it!

 

[larrydd999]

I agree with all of the above (especially tires - they make a lot of difference IMHO) except for the 'Subaru' comment. I have a friend with an older Subaru who envies my 17-18 mpg mixed city and highway mileage. He tries hard to make a steady 16 mpg!

 

[jiffydarren]

I agree with all of the above (especially tires - they make a lot of difference IMHO) except for the 'Subaru' comment. I have a friend with an older Subaru who envies my 17-18 mpg mixed city and highway mileage. He tries hard to make a steady 16 mpg!

He probably beats the f**** out of it hot doggin' it to show off...

In any case I know what the OP is talking about. There's a stretch of road near my home that has a long curve, and a deep road joint in it. When I'd go over the road joint, it felt like I was gonna lose control... New shocks and tires fixed the problem.