Do a search on Google involving Expedition and springs. It'll bring up 10,000 hits for sites selling lowering springs.

When in doubt, Fabtech makes great lift kits. But I don't know if they do lowering, too...

XXL

 

I too have been through 3 air pumps. I like this idea!! Are there any taller springs for the rear? I would like to lift the expy a little. Without the front air shocks will the front sag at all?
Thanks
Aaron

 

Has anyone gone to the wrecking yard and gotten OEM springs? Are all years interchangable? Is a spring a spring??? Just wondering if this is a way to save money.

 

Wrecking yard springs would work, but finding the exact configuration you need is hit and miss.

Also, do not put 2wd springs on a 4wd, as it will sit low, like a 2wd. Some guys might want that for the bling-bling 20" wheel look although.

Best bet is Chip at Strutmasters. I have been kinda' the testbed for his 4wd rear springs, and he is getting me my final set in what I call the "Expedition Sport" height. I have no affiliation with Strutmasters, but they are putting together some spring sets that will work well on 4wd's, and add some height over the LLS.

Note: Any 4wd rear spring will be higher than a LLS Expy that has the rear ride height sensor at factory settings.

If you notice, non-LLS Expy Sport trim vehicles sit higher than non-LLS Eddie Bauers and XLT's, although a non rear air-conditioned XLT with trailer tow group is about tha same as a Sport, but that is because there is no rear A/C weight, or 3rd row seat.

Your static front height has nothing to do with the air shocks. When you park your LLS Expy, where she sits is set by the front torsion bar adjustment screws. Now when an LLS Expy is driven below 50 Mph, the front does rise some, but drops back lower after 50mph. When you select 4wd LOW, then the front rises +2".

If you remove the front air-shocks and install '66 Bronco rear shocks, all you do is crank or lower the torsion bar adjusters to where you want the front to sit, or leave them alone and keep it "as-is".

I sometimes feel as if I'm pimpin' this idea of tossing the LLS in the trash and installing springs. I'm not. I just know what a pain it was trying to convert my wifes car to springs, and I gained alot of knowlege in doing so. Just would like to help others get thier Expy's running right, as when the LLS finally takes a dump, it costs $$$$$$$$$.

 

Thanks for your help. I have been dealing with gary at Strutmasters and have just been replacing the air pump. I would like to go to the spring conversion and just get rid of all the air.

 

I'm done with the LLS - We're expecting 10-15" of snow and the *** end of my 4WD Expy is sittin' on the rubber stops in my garage (of course it happens now instead of summer right?). Third time the damn thing has failed in the last year.

Strutmasters conversion kit is in the mail...I'll let you know how I make out in a week or so. Thanks for all the info!

 

Sturge - FWIW, there's an air hose that runs underneath the air filter housing. Right underneath the housing, there's a connector - this one usually falls apart (too much heat, etc.) and causes the butt end to drop. New connector is $22 from Ford.

I still think the whole kit is a good idea, but this will at least get you back on the road

EDIT: How much did that conversion kit run, anyway?

XXL

 

Thanks for the tip BigMatt but the compressor does not even come on now so I doubt that would fix my problem. It could also be the relay (had to replace that once too at $100) but I'm through spending any more money on this system.

Strutmasters cut me a bit of a deal because I just bought a compressor from them in August of 03 and they have a 12 month warranty. He said it's likely I have a slooooow leak somewhere which eventually caused the compressor to die from overworking itself. Makes sense because it took over a week for the rear end to slowly sag to its present "slammed" position.

They took of $40 from the posted price and shipped for free. Can't remember exactly but it was around $250. Have not received it yet.

 

Has anyone changed just the front? I like having the back adjust since since I often carry 7 passengers. But $120 apiece for front shocks makes it seem like you would be better changing the front.

 

I dont think you can only change the front. The ride hight sensor would not work and the compressor would run constantly tring to fill the shocks and raise the front.

 

STURGE, any news? Did you get the springs? I am about to place an order and want to see if you came out ok. They now have front shocks also. Coil-over shocks, around $300pr. are coil-over worth the extra price? just wondering if anyone has used Coil-over shocks.
Thanks
Aaron

 

Today is a good day!

Conversion complete - I have had my last problem with LLS! Seeing it's so crappy here in CT I had a local garage install (a buddy with his own independant shop...NOT a Ford garage). Cost me $250 for the kit (2 big ole coil springs and some directions) and another $175 in labor to install. Never had a problem with the front so I left that alone. Kept original shocks on rear. "Check Susp" light never came on even with a dead compressor and an *** end that sagged all the way to the frame...go figure. Seems a bit more stiff in the rear end but that's fine with me. My buddy said it was a pain to install mostly just due to all the salt, sand, ice that's caked under the truck (better him than me!) but the air bags came out and the springs went in reasonably well.

Now with 117K miles it's time to go shopping for a new truck...I'm thinking '03 with NO LLS of course!

 

Just ordered my kit today. Cant wait to get the LLS system off for good. I am going with coil over shocks in the front so i can adjust the hight a bit.

 

Coilovers? I dunno about that one. On a 2wd, I guess you could install them, but your alignment would be wacky if you pre-loaded them.

On a 4wd, the space between the front 4wd CV driveshafts and the shocks are TIGHT!!!. Also, on a 4wd, you can crank your front torsion bars up with the adjuster bolts easily.

A hint to people who install Strutmasters springs.

1) If you don't get FORD rubber isolators with your springs, buy some 1/2 fuel line, about 2 feet, cut in 2 pieces, and split the hose down the center, and use it as an isolator between the body and spring on the UPPER coil of the spring (zip-tye them on). The lower coil is metal to metal on the axle pad.


2) Disconnect the rear swaybar, not at the axle mounts, but at the lower link mounts (remove 2 nuts). Also unhook your rear axle breather line from the plastic clamp on the frame, or it will tear. Disconect both shocks at the lower bolts. Support the truck by the frame and let the axle drop as far as you can. You will need a nice long prybar to do the job, and having a friend stand on the disc brake rotor will help you get the springs in.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a 4X4, I think the coil over springs should fit. Looking for a little lift without spending $2000.00. I know the torsion bars would work. Then I would have to buy shocks anyway. This is my excuse to buy the coil over shocks and get a little lift and a good shock. what do you think? Thanks for the fuel line trick, anyother things to try?

Aaron
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