Of all the Expedition message boards I have read this one is the best! I bought a 1999 Exp. EB 5.4 about 2 weeks ago. The dealer did not have the manual, but has ordered one and in the meantime I have been trying to learn all I can via the internet. I have 2 questions.
1.) I have the load leveling system on mine and did notice that it sits lower than some of the others we looked at while shopping. We love our Expy but would like it to sit a little higher. Is there a way to adjust the load leveling system for maximun height? We have 265/70/17 tires on it and they are in pretty good shape so hate to get new ones until needed but hoped that we could get added height by adjusting the LLS.
2.) Our Expy does not have the tow package and we have a boat and utility trailer for our 4 wheelers that we haul alot (not at the same time). Our Explorer did not have the tow pkg. but did have a transmission cooler. Without the tow package will we have any problems towing? My husband plans to put a Reese hitch on. Can you add the trans. cooler? Is it expensive?
Any info would be great! Thanks!

I reposted this one, looked like the other one was not catching anyones eye! Sorry to repeat myself!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-Jan-02 AT 11:30 PM (EST)] The cooler or not depends on how big of a boat,how many 4 Wheelers.... etc If you are less than 3000 lbs or so , shouldn't be needed. (Although it never hurts) Parts aftermarket ($50-150) Should take a mechanic 1-2 Hrs. Mark in Ohio 97 XLT 5.4l 4x4 3 trailers
2-Sled 3-Bike 21ft Camper 1500-5500 Lbs

 

>1.) I have the load leveling system on mine and did notice
>that it sits lower than some of the others we looked at
>while shopping. We love our Expy but would like it to sit a
>little higher. Is there a way to adjust the load leveling
>system for maximun height? We have 265/70/17 tires on it and
>they are in pretty good shape so hate to get new ones until
>needed but hoped that we could get added height by adjusting
>the LLS.

From what I gather, you ARE indeed correct that Epxy's with Air suspension sit, on average, 2" lower. There is no way to increase that, from what I see. Take heart though, every test I've ever read states that the Air suspension package is a must have. The plain ones sit higher due to the need for more travel to compensate for loads.(IMO) Yours, of course, does it automatically. If you are in doubt as to if it is operating correctly, the dealer can "vent" all of them and reinflate them just to be sure that the height is indeed correct. If I had an Expy, I'd care more for the Air suspension than height. It means so much more!

>2.) Our Expy does not have the tow package and we have a
>boat and utility trailer for our 4 wheelers that we haul
>alot (not at the same time). Our Explorer did not have the
>tow pkg. but did have a transmission cooler. Without the tow
>package will we have any problems towing? My husband plans
>to put a Reese hitch on. Can you add the trans. cooler? Is
>it expensive?

Put the tranny cooler on. Even if do light towing it is invaluable. Heck of a lot cheaper that a new tranny too. If the hitch and the cooler are the only things included in the towing package and you are going to use the aftermarket to compensate, I wouldn't imagine a problem with towing.

 

amberfranklin,

Hi, I know what you mean by the Expedition sitting lower in the rear
because of the load leveling system. I know a way of how to fix the problem...but in order to do this, you must turn off the air suspension in the rear. (The switch is located on the passenger side near the floor on the right hand side, it is behind some plastic)
I have a 99' eddie bauer 4x2, I got it lifted and I noticed that the rear still sits a little lower than the front.
Do you know where the switch is located to turn off the air suspension? You need to know this in order for this to work.
Anyways...you need to drive your expedition onto a rock or something...just one tire should be on the rock (front of course), so that one side of the truck sits higher than the other.
The rock or whatever you use (bricks) should be about 8-10inches tall, so you may need to make a little ramp. You can use pieces of wood, etc.
Once you have the tire on the rock, put your truck in park position but don't turn off the engine. This will cause the air suspension to lift your truck to a maximum amount in the rear. After a few minutes, turn off the engine and after that, turn off the air suspension.
Now you can get back in the driver's seat and turn on the truck and get off the rock...you should greatly notice that the back is sitting higher.
You can reverse the process by turning the switch to the "on" position at anytime while the truck's engine is turned off.
Notice: when you turn off the switch, a yellow light will turn on (ck susp) this will turn off again when you put the switch back on.
Let me know if you need more help or clarificaion on anything.
-HellaBig_Expedition.

 

Thanks for the info! You said that an aftermarket tranny cooler would be around 50-150 plus 1-2 hours of labor. That doesnt sound too bad. Would you recommend going to a dealer and having this done or do you think it might be something my husband could do?

 

I also have a 99 XLT 5.4L w/ load leveling (love it)and also noticed ride height differance. it really is a good thing, especially on road as it give you lower center of gravity / better areo when unloaded and when towing with high tongue weight it keeps the "squat" from unloading the front end.

That said, you can "raise" the ride hight, all the time (by = or - one inch) without going through all the work described above. As a bounus, it will take you less time and effort.

Step one: Grab an adustable wrench and tape measure

Step two: With Expy parked on level ground (turned off, in park with brakes on)measure ride height at hitch

Step three: crawl under rear of Expy with adjustable wrench and locate ride height postion sensor (this is attached to left center section of rear diff housing on one end, the frame on the other) loosen nut and slid sensor to "trick" system into seeing truck as sitting low (mark orginal postion prior for referance) retighten nut

Step four: turn key on and cehck out your free lift kit (exceeding about an inch will limit the negitive travel so don't get greedy);-)

 

I spose it depends how handy your hubby is. Kits from Auto stores
(Autozone etc) require you to cut exsisting cooler lines to radiator
and clamp on rubber hose. Not too bad (need tubing cutter etc.) Then mounting the cooler (like a mini radiator). I put on a few that had zip-tie like mounting "spikes" that sanwiched the cooler to the front or the rad or A/C condensor , also relatively easy.
Dealer might want to put on Factory stuff $$$$ only. Id say many local autoshops (like gas stations) or mabe even better the hitch place might be a good bet. It might be worth 50 to $75 . Factory package added oil cooler though.. Only needed in extremes These motors run cool ( good job Ford) Good Luck Mark

 

This is an excellent tip! The switch is even plainly labeled! Thanks for posting this.

 

I had a 1997 X when they first came out and noitced the low rear end. I asked the dealer to raise it and they did. It was that simple. There is a way for that to be done without all the tricks. I'm not sure what they did, but it came back 2" higher and the load leveling still worked great.

Some dealers are a little reluctant to make these changes due to legal reasons...and I am sure Ford (after the Firestone ordeal) wouldn't like it. Depends on the dealer and if they have done it before I guess. Good luck!