I was just wondering if anyone has a lowering kit on there explorer, and if it was worth the money, (i have seen one for $160). I was also wondering how it changed hte exploreres ride and if it was difficult to install, and if anything else was needed a long with as far as pads or anything. Thanks

 

any help from anyone???

 

What year? You can lower a 95-01 for about $25.00...

 

Why would you want to lower an explorer?? If anything lowering it would make a worse ride, you might get less body roll, and a lower center of gravity..but i dont think you will get a better ride, if you have the first gen explorer (91-94) you will have to just deal with the rough ride or get a newer one.

 

Try Explorer Express they have a Kit that lowers about 1.5"

 

Well I have a 98 and everywhere that i had read it said lowering it will make it a smoother ride. I was just wanting to hear from someone first hand. And i was wanting to know if they were a pain in the butt ot install also, becuase i am seriously thinking about getting them so i jst wanted some concrete evaluations. Thanks all.

 

I am lowered 3 inches. Yes, there is a small amount of ride deterioration, but good shocks and good tires can compensate. The advantages outway the negative in my opinion. No matter what shocks and tires you put on a stock Explorer, the body roll is very noticable. Lowering decreases your center of gravity and helps eliminate a lot of the body roll.

A 98 is very simple to lower. If you are going to run on normal streets, and do not do any off-road activities, then I suggest it. All you have to do is lower the front by twisting the torsion bars down. Then go to Auto Zone (or somewhere comparable) and get a set of lowering blocks and install them on the rear. They usually run about $25.00.

After you get it lowered, take it to your alignment shop and have them do a front end alignment. Ask them to install any cambers needed.

I would also suggest getting a rear sway bar from Explorer Express. It helps on the ride and body roll immensly.

If you are just looking for a good ride, then I would suggest getting some good tires and a set of Monroe Sensatrac shocks. If you want a safer feeling Explorer and still want the ride quality, then lowering will not hurt at all. I would suggest not going more than 3 inches though. 2 inches would be about the best for all around quality.

 

thanks for the info.. so you are saying i can lower the front by hand. or by myself. and can i install the lowering blocks myself fairly easily?

 

Yes - I did mine myself. You jeck up the front end - loosen the torsion bars, and let it down. Then repeat to get each side level.

The blocks can be done by yourself also, but be very careful when working with the leaf springs. They can hurt you quick if you are not careful.

If you are not real sure about how to do the work, or are nervous about it, I would buy the blocks and have your tire/alignment shop do it for you the same time they do the alignment...

 

Hey cobra,

Thanks for all the help with the lowering questions. I have anoher question, I am fairly "car dumb" and i was wondering if you could give a few instructions to me on how to lower the torsion bars. Thanks for all the other info also.

 

If you look under your X, you will see two bars running from the front end to about under each front door. At the end of them will be a box plate that has an adjustable bolt (forget the size). This is the bolt that you adjust - tightening it raises the front end, loosening lowers. Some people take the bolt all the way out, and then start from there to raise it back up to the height they want the front end at.

Be very careful with the rear - it is the part that can hurt you. I suggest jacking up the rear end and using jack stands to hold it. Then place your jack under the leaf spring while you undo the U-bolts and remove them. This way you can lower the springs with the jack. If not, they will spring down into your face. The block kit will come with new U-Bolts that will be long enough to replace your stock U-Bolts. You add the blocks to the bottom side of the axle - between it and the leaf springs.

I wish I had some pics, but I don't right now. I will try and get some taken tomorrow id the weather is good enough to get under my X...

Explorer Express makes a set of smaller bump stops for the front end that are nice, but I just took mine off and cut them down to give my front end a little more travel room. You might want to look at them also - depending on how low you want to lower you X.

Again - if you are not comfortable removing parts and working on your X, I would suggest letting a shop do the work for you. It is not neccesarily hard, but you don't want to get your X taken apart and then run into trouble. It is hard to get it to a shop once you commit to taking it apart...

If you decide to do it, and run into trouble - let me know and I'll help anyway I can...

 

Thanks for all the info Cobra...

Im probbally going to start between now and Xmas, but i will get back to you if i have any qustions. Thanks

 

how much drop did you get from the front but just lowering the stock keys??