I am a happy owner a new EB 4x4 advance trac.:P But, one big mistake, I didn't get the load leveling option. I will be pulling a trailer with 750lb. tongue weight, which is close to max recommended load. I am afraid the rear of the Expedition will drop 3" and the front will come up 1" (as on my '99). Standard air bags will not work because of the shock-in-coil rear springs. I talked to Air Lift, they say they are not developing anything. Firestone says they have a test vehicle, but it will be a while. One idea that has come up is to retrofit with Navigator airspring strut assemblies. Is that possible? Any kits available for less than one million dollars?

 

I wasn't aware that the '03 had a load leveling option--you sure this was an option?

 

I'm not seeing the air suspension listed as an option in the brochure, and the dealer is just way too busy to talk to me about this sort of stuff right now. In the owner's manual, under "Preparing to Tow" it says to turn off air suspension (if equipped), but does not show the switch location. I understand in past models, the switch was somewhere in the passenger's area - door or feet. I did find on the new one, where the fuel pump reset switch is (rear cargo area left side) a cover that says "Air Suspension Switch if equipped". So..... I'm confused. I am going to hook up the trailer tomorrow to see what it does to the ride level, but I'm afraid the beast will need some help with that 720 lbs on it's tail.

 

I have the same problem. My 00 Expediton had auto load leveling,however when I ordered my O3 it wasn't an option. I tow a boat and trailer with a considerable tongue weight and have not found a solution in any after-market products.

I read in a Detroit paper that auto-load leveling would be an option on later 03 models. Has anyone else heard about this? I hate the towing when the rear-end drops down almost 3 inches. I sure hope there is a way to add this option on after the fact. Any help would be most welcome. Thanks in advance!
Fred

 

I am not convinced that the load leveling option was designed for compensating for excessive tongue weight. I have been told that a properly adjusted load transfering hitch will do the trick. I will be talking to a local trailer hitch company. This should have been posted in the "towing" topic section. Oops!

 

I have the same complaint about my '03 EB Expy. 350 lb tongue weight drops rear 2" and lots of folks flash their bright lights at me when I am towing at night. Didn't have this problem with '98 w/towing pkg. and dealer confirms auto leveling is not an option on the '03. The '03 is a pleasure to drive, but this customer desired feature was left off.

 

>I am not convinced that the load leveling option was
>designed for compensating for excessive tongue weight. I
>have been told that a properly adjusted load transfering
>hitch will do the trick. . .


It is my understanding that this (trailer tongue weight) as well as vehical load (passangers, etc.) IS exactly what the Load Leveling Suspension was designed for, hence the name. On the 4WD models, this system has the added benifit of allowing the engineers to develope a computer program that allows the system to 'lower' the ride height of the vehical when parked to allow for easier passanger entry, when at highway speeds to reduce aero drag to help MPG and when 4WD is engaged it will INCREASE ride height to allow for extra ground clearence.

The system was not ready for the new IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) in time to make the production schedule of the early '03 models.

You know what they say about the guys who are the 1st on their block with the new vehicals right . . .

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-Sep-02 AT 08:26 AM (EST)] I too miss the the load leveling, and I find it interesting that the 03 Navigator has it (Auto leveling w/ air bags) as a standard feature!
Is this yet another FOMOCO marketing scheme?

 

I was told that Motor Trend aired a review of the 03 Expy and said a load leveling option will become available.

The review included a field test against a Tahoe, a test that had both vehicles with three wheels with no traction. The Tahoe couldn't move! The Expy marched right ahead.

 

I HAVE HAD MY 03 BAUER FOR 6 WEEKS I LOVE IT. IT HAS EVERYTHIG INC. NAV SYSTEM. COULD NOT GET LOAD LEV. ONLY ON NAVIGATOR. BUT IT STILL SITS GOOD WHEN LOADED WITH 4 PLACE ENCLOSED SNOWMOBILE TRAILER LOADED.
HOPE THIS HELPS

 

I have the same problem with my toybox. Because of the need to be able to haul inside the rear of trailer it has a heaver toung weight when empty. I checked the 03 Navigator, It seems it has the same suspention. The only difference is that the shocks have airbags connected to it on top. I went to the parts department and the airbags are sold sepretly from the shocks. The 03Expy has a place for a switch in the back for the air susp. I was possibly thinking of buying the airbags and placing it on the shock and adding a compressor and switch to manually lift the rear when towing. The only problem is that at $130.00 an airbag its a pretty steep investment on something that I am not sure would work and it is a special order part so I cant just take my shock in and see if it fits.

 

Please keep us informed on your pursuit! I do think there is more electronics involved, at least if it is like my 00. There is a switch and sensor that tells the compressor when "level" occurs and shuts it off.
The other option might just be the old type of air shock that you manually inflate (Monroe, Koni, etc.), but they're probably not out yet. My guess there will be enough requests that the aftermarket will pick up on it and have something available pretty quick. My $.02

 

 

Any word on this