OK, simple questions for those much wiser. '99 XLT 4x4 4 dr with original shocks. Pretty bouncing and looking to replace/upgrade. I do tow and will be installing the air bags on the rear axle. Need a good paved road shock as I do not do any off roading. Would like to replace myself??? Any thing I should be forewarned about?

Thanks all

 

Monroe shocks are great on road shocks. Explorer Pro Comp ES1000s and ES3000s are good too. You could go with either the Explorer Pro Comp MX6 or the Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks and just dial it to your liking. They are nice for towing also.

 

I've put Bilsteins on both my Explorers and was quite pleased. Got rid of the side to side and corner to corner rocking problems. Not too soft or too harsh. Replacing them yourself is relatively easy. The rears are a piece of cake and the fronts aren't too bad. Get yourself a Haynes manual before attempting.

Mason

 

Thanks for the info. I'll get the manual this weekend!

Thanks again.

 

Monore Sensatracs for the front and Gabriel (same as Monroe) Adjustable Air Shocks for the rear. I tow a lot, and enjoy both. The Air Shocks have lines running to a normal nipple you can mount anywhere. I run mine normal at around 30lbs - then up to 90 or 95 lbs depending on what I am towing. Here is a pic of where I mounted my nipple for the shocks. Its just under the rear hatch door - just below where the tire winch bar inserts.

 

Curious why you chose the air adjustable shocks as opposed to air bags? What performance upgrades have you done for towing purposes?

Thanks

 

Basically because of ease of install. When I put the shocks on, I was in a position of needing something then and there. The airbag solution was going to take too long to get and too long to install - to do it right anyway (compressor, switch, etc). The air shocks have surprised me by lasting as long as they have and by doing as well as they do. I never thought they would make it 2 years with everything I tow, etc.

As for performance mods:
-Eaton supercharger
-Fully upgraded fuel system - pump to injectors
-Fully custom exhaust system - headers to rear
-K&N FIPKII intake with modification
-MSD Electronic Ignition
-Chip
-Suspension modifications
-Braking modifications
-Transmission Shift Kits - both mechanical and electrical
-Plus other things....


I tow anything from an 8' utility trailer with a 3500lb axle, to my jet skis or boats, to an 18' flatbed trailer with cars or tractors on it.

 

When you stat K&N intake with modification, is that a mass air sensor upgrade? Curious why the K&N, assuming it is not a cold air intake? I will be towing our boat and need the extra umph...

 

Yes - I have an Pro-M 80mm mass air. I used the K&N Open Filter (FIPK) because it was the first kit out, and got it then. I have a Mac tube I use right now with the K&N. I can flip back and forth between them, and am working on making it a true cold air setup now.

What type and size boat do you have, and what size engine does your Explorer have?

 

I have the 4.0L SOHC which I'm finding out per this site may have NOT been a good choice. I did get a screaming deal on it so it all equals out in the end. I tow about 4000 lbs wet so I know, spec wise, I'm cutting it close. Just upgraded the exhaust, plan on a Volant intake, questioning the 75 mm air flow and will chip it. If I can get a few years out of it I'll be happy!! What's sad is I got rid of my '99 Powerstroke (no towing issues there!).

 

5,680 is your max tow rate for your X, so you are going to be fine. I towed 5,400 (trailer and B2 combined with trail supplies in both the X and B2) with my '99 SOHC and 32" tires with 3.73 gears. Heck with the 33s I didn't have a problem either. I just left the OD off except for those flat out areas. The only engine mods I have are a K/N drop in, Bosh plugs/wires and synthetic fluids. I put over 3,000 miles on with that setup before I bought my 250.
I bought a set of Helwig adjustable "helpers" and Rancho RS5000 shocks. With the trailer on and no "helpers" it would sag 4", with the "helpers" I only lost 1". Unless you are going to be towing on a regular basis, I would forgo the air shocks or bags and just get the "helpers". That would leave you some cash for engine mods like a chip, intake, larger MAF or all of them.

Don't worry about the SOHC engine, I have 84,000 miles on mine and know others that have a lot more and have no problems. Yea it had some recalls, but what engine out there didn't when it was first introduced.
I don't have any pictures, but I towed my old '86 F-250 4wd with the 8' plow on it 200 miles to my house once and other than it taking off slow, it pulled it great.
I have pictures of my "helpers" in my webshots page if you want to take a gander...
http://community.webshots.com/user/explorerdriver

 

Sounds good. I know I will be doing the Volant air intake and chip, just was unsure of the gain performance for the MAF vs. the expenditure. I actually tow +/-5 days a week but for short distances. It was for this reason I was leaning towards the bags and a good pair of "road worthy" shocks. Can you think of any other things I should look at for performance that I may not have considered?

 

Oh, before I forget, is it common for the hitch manufactorer to state that the spare tire will be in the way? I see different class III hitches by the same company that one model has the disclaimer and the other doesn't. Would like to leave the spare in place...

Thank you so much for your insight-it is has been very helpful!

 

CobraXP, Do you know the part # on the Adjustable Air Shocks you put on your X? I' ve been looking around and can not find any that will work on my X sport. Can you help?

 

If you are towing that much, then the airbags or the air shocks would be your best bet.
As far a performance mods go, a chip, intake and larger MAF is about all you need. Those are the things I was going to upgrade on mine before I decided to sell it. I would look at a large tranny cooler and maybe an electric fan maybe.
For a hitch, I bought a Ford Class III off E-bay and installed it myself. I don't have a problem with the spare, cause mine is mounted on the roof. I can see where it would be a tight fit up under there though. I know lots of guys running Class III Hidden Hitches that still have the stock spare under there X though.