When did Ford make the air ride suspension?

[Jason94sport]

I have owned 2 Explorer's & have looked at 100's in person & Ebay, & I have never seen an X of any generation with air ride suspension. I haven't noticed anyone here with it either. Was it just not a feesable option?

 

[jimbo74]

i beleive it came after the first gen production.....

 

[rhyno]

I have the air ride suspension on my 97 Eddie Bauer. I did not buy it new, so I am not sure if it came with the tow package my X has, or was a seperate option. It may have come with the tow package along with the tranny cooler and wiring.

 

[greenbeer]

My 98 EB has it with no tow package. The only problem is I hear the shocks are around $1200 a wheel to replace. But, it does ride a lot smoother than one with the standard suspension.

 

[stilbo]

MY '96 Limited has "ARC" Air Ride Control. Not sure if 1st Generation X's had it as an option and kind of doubt it. ARC uses a lot of sensor inputs to detect level height and compensates with heavy loads (or dates ), cornering forces (stiffens suspension during hard cornering) and raises the vehicle height in varying degrees dependent on 4x4 high and 4x4 low range. Ride height increases about 1" for 4x4 high and 2" for 4x4 low. When I park my Limited next to a stock '96 XLT, my X looks like a low rider. VW Tourareg uses same kind of system.
Some Lincoln's used a similar system.

Very complex, uses a dedicated computer, various sensors and compressor.

It even lowers the LTD after you get out so it is easier to get into again.

So far no problems at 155,000 miles and no need for shock absorbers.

 

[CDW6212R]

96-98 models had four wheel air shocks available, now cost over $200 each.
99-01 models had two wheel air shocks available, now cost over $90 each.
I need to find a 99-01 ARC module.
Don

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

95-98 Explorers have the 4-corner air ride suspension. '99-'01 models have the automatic rear leveling systems which means that the rear of the truck will rise as it gets heavier, leveling the truck.

 

[CDW6212R]

So it did start in 1995? The early variable stiffness valving would be nice, but they do cost a lot. The Turbo Coupe Thunderbirds had similar shocks(no air height adjustment).
I will be satisfied with just the air height adjustment of the 99-01 system.
Don

 

[Heavymentill]

Yea Don the pics I sent you were of my 95 Limited. And the variable stiffness shocks are discontinued.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I ripped an EATC system out of a crashed 1995 with the ARC system. Lots of sensors and computers, I'd do some research with a ford CD-ROM to find out if the years are interchangable. With the message center, the break is 1997/1998. With the EATC, the break for the control head is 1996, but the sensors were the same through the run.

 

[CDW6212R]

Right Chris, I forgot. I thought your first one was a 96 also.

My Ford parts man gave me $211 as a price for an available shock, any of the four. If you need any, you might get them soon. Ford is quick to obsolete parts after 5-10 years.
Don