How important is Load Leveling
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 52
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How important is Load Leveling
We are looking for an Expedition and have loked at everything from 97-2000 and have pretty much decided on an EB but the load leveling option seems hard to find. We probably never tow anything very heavy but I have heard they ride a lot better. Would different springs / shocks make up the difference? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Brad
Brad
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 369
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From: Bronx, New York
How important is Load Leveling
load leveling is nice if you have 3rd row seats, but if you don't carry heavy loads, I woudn't worry about it. It is just another thing to pay higher $$$ for when it breaks. I have a E.B. edition, without air susp or load leveling, and I like the ride t get in the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
How important is Load Leveling
I like my LL system because it gives me great handling (compared to my brother's Expy with standard susp) and adjusts itself to give me the best ride for whatever I'm doing.
However...
I currently have H rated Michelin Cross Terrains on, though, and the ride is kind of harsh. I will be replacing the tires eventually, and I'll see if going back to the S rated tires helps the harshness at all.
Also, it probably costs some ungodly amount of money to fix if it breaks.
Unless you're going to be towing something, your best bet would probably be to stick with the regular suspension. It's cheaper to fix and can easily (and cheaply) bet tweaked to your liking.
XXL
However...
I currently have H rated Michelin Cross Terrains on, though, and the ride is kind of harsh. I will be replacing the tires eventually, and I'll see if going back to the S rated tires helps the harshness at all.
Also, it probably costs some ungodly amount of money to fix if it breaks.
Unless you're going to be towing something, your best bet would probably be to stick with the regular suspension. It's cheaper to fix and can easily (and cheaply) bet tweaked to your liking.
XXL
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
How important is Load Leveling
I don't know how important it will be to you but if the Expy you are looking at has the Load Leveling Suspension AND the oem tow package, it is much more likeliy that it will have some other pretty important options as well . . . super engine cooling (larger radiator and an oil cooler,) Transmission fluid cooler and Limited Slip, as well as some creature features like rear HVAC
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 52
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How important is Load Leveling
I don't know if it an OEM towing package. Has a reciever hitch, Rear HVAC and a limmitted slip with 3.73 gearsand 5.4 eng.
Don't know about the trans cooler and larger radiator.
Brad
Don't know about the trans cooler and larger radiator.
Brad
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
How important is Load Leveling
I understand Joe, it's just that I:
1. Haven't spent a dime on ANY repair cost on my extremly solid and dependable Expy.
2. sometimes carry four or more friends on road trips . . . and when it's us boys, well, I'm the smallest and I weigh in at 210 lbs, then there is our gear, so yes, the LLS does earn it's keep.
3. have a low riding 2WD that stays on the street. It give me a big grin when other Expy owners come up and ask me how much $ and how much work it was to lower the truck.
1. Haven't spent a dime on ANY repair cost on my extremly solid and dependable Expy.
2. sometimes carry four or more friends on road trips . . . and when it's us boys, well, I'm the smallest and I weigh in at 210 lbs, then there is our gear, so yes, the LLS does earn it's keep.
3. have a low riding 2WD that stays on the street. It give me a big grin when other Expy owners come up and ask me how much $ and how much work it was to lower the truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 410
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From: NE JERSEY
How important is Load Leveling
Originally posted by Petrol
I understand Joe, it's just that I:
1. Haven't spent a dime on ANY repair cost on my extremly solid and dependable Expy.
2. sometimes carry four or more friends on road trips . . . and when it's us boys, well, I'm the smallest and I weigh in at 210 lbs, then there is our gear, so yes, the LLS does earn it's keep.
3. have a low riding 2WD that stays on the street. It give me a big grin when other Expy owners come up and ask me how much $ and how much work it was to lower the truck.
I understand Joe, it's just that I:
1. Haven't spent a dime on ANY repair cost on my extremly solid and dependable Expy.
2. sometimes carry four or more friends on road trips . . . and when it's us boys, well, I'm the smallest and I weigh in at 210 lbs, then there is our gear, so yes, the LLS does earn it's keep.
3. have a low riding 2WD that stays on the street. It give me a big grin when other Expy owners come up and ask me how much $ and how much work it was to lower the truck.
That's great.
Love your number 3 reason.
Last edited by redvet; May 16, 2003 at 06:34 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Texas, USA
How important is Load Leveling
No problems at all with my LLS after 112K miles including towing, offroad and onroad competition driving, and long trips on rough roads with maximum loads. My wife, and other ladies appreciate the feature that lowers the truck when it's parked so they don't have to hike up their skirts when they get in. I actually know three ladies that bought Expys on my advice, but they didn't get the LLS because they didn't tow. They sold them all within a year because the regular springs sat too high for them to ingress or egress comfortablly, or lady like. Regular springs have a lot more body roll on corners than do LLS models.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
How important is Load Leveling
Originally posted by SexpeditionSport
JESUS CHRIST !! 'moderator' takes this site a little to seriously, calm down dude, I'm just explaining my car to him. You are like an F'n forum **** !! I hate places like this !!!
JESUS CHRIST !! 'moderator' takes this site a little to seriously, calm down dude, I'm just explaining my car to him. You are like an F'n forum **** !! I hate places like this !!!
Take care,
XXL
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
How important is Load Leveling
Originally posted by brussell
Thaks for all the advice everyone! Sounds like there are advantages to LLS.
Sexpedition Sport - Thanks for the offer but we are looking in the <15,000 range.
Brad
Thaks for all the advice everyone! Sounds like there are advantages to LLS.
Sexpedition Sport - Thanks for the offer but we are looking in the <15,000 range.
Brad
Good luck!
XXL
