Notices
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

Front Shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
makthenif's Avatar
makthenif
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of TX
Front Shocks

my expy front shocks are weak. recommendations on better quality replacements. anyone? thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 03:56 PM
  #2  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
Bilsteins are the only way to go IMO. Shockwarehouse.com has decent prices on them. I would suggest replacing shocks in sets of four. In the end, the Expy is still going to ride like a cloud, the springs are soft. The control you gain with the Bilsteins is phenomenal though.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:20 PM
  #3  
makthenif's Avatar
makthenif
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of TX
yeah, i know bilstein is top quality. bilstein offers to item numbers.one with rear air leveling and without. how would in know which one is for my truck?
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:35 PM
  #4  
hodges710's Avatar
hodges710
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
No doubt Bilsteins are very good but on my recent shock change on my 98 exp. I installed a set of Monroe Sensatracs and have no complaints on them. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what Ford used for the stock shock on the 97 to 02 exp. series, thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 08:28 PM
  #5  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by makthenif
yeah, i know bilstein is top quality. bilstein offers to item numbers.one with rear air leveling and without. how would in know which one is for my truck?
Depends on whether or not your truck has rear air springs.

The Bilstien monotube design is FAR superior to anything Monroe makes, and the price is only about $10 a shock difference. I had the KYB monotubes on prior to the Bilstiens and they did not offer nearly as much suspension control. The Bilsteins will probably outlast the truck at this point too. You can pick up Monroes for less but when you consider the advantages of the Bilstiens it is a no brainer. No offense to Monroe owners of course.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2010 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
makthenif's Avatar
makthenif
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of TX
how would i know if my truck has the rear air leveling? i think the vin number might tell but i am not sure.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2010 | 03:13 PM
  #7  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
Ummmmm, why not just look under the truck?
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 01:48 AM
  #8  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Big Greenie
Ummmmm, why not just look under the truck?
Or...see if there exists an air ride disable switch as shown in the owners manual.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 02:34 PM
  #9  
makthenif's Avatar
makthenif
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of TX
ok greenie, good point...so if it has the black rubber bags above the shocks it is rear air leveling right?
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 03:22 PM
  #10  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
They are referring to the air springs fitted to many of these trucks. You would be looking for coil springs, or air spring bladders which would denote the air leveling suspension. The air suspension in back is not connected to the shocks in any way.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 06:46 PM
  #11  
makthenif's Avatar
makthenif
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of TX
yeah...it does have black rubber bladders on the axle looks like not on the shock. are these the air levelers?
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 09:51 PM
  #12  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
You are getting hung up on "air levelers". What the truck has is air suspension. By design, it features automatic leveling. The system has a sensor that controls the air compressor to increase or decrease the amount of air pressure in the air springs to keep the truck level.

You need the shocks for the air suspension.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gwilkrrs
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
17
May 31, 2020 07:14 PM
ConvertedFord
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Nov 1, 2012 03:04 PM
pearsonrb
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Jan 27, 2010 04:36 AM
RedUgly77
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Jun 10, 2008 10:13 AM
Chuck_Sloggett
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Aug 31, 2007 11:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:30 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE