I'm looking to do a 2 inch drop max front and rear (maybe just 1.5 in. in front). Does anybody make a kit for this? The air suspension seems to be the problem...I can't even find aftermarket shocks for my truck...

I'd really appreciate being pointed in the right direction on this one...

(Btw, I don't use my Expy for offroading so that's not a concern.)




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Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55VR18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Brembo 14" disc brake kit coming right up!!!And hopefully a Lightning engine too!!!

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Thunder,

I'm droppin' our '00 next week. I'm not using bags (even though it gives the best ride) due to the $. I'm going with a 2/4. I have 2" lower A-arms on order from Chasis Tech for the front and 4" springs from West Coast Customs for the rear. I'm new to the "Lowering" world and haven't heard of a 1.5" drop for an Expedition.

I'm also putting on 17" Coddington "Evolutions" wrapped with 285/60/17's from Nitto.

Let us know the progress with your drop.

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99 4x4 XLT supercab 5.4L Flareside, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Med. Graphite w/Captain Chairs, Pioneer DEP-4000, Tint, K&N, Bedliner, 3" Catback w/3 Chamber Flowmaster, 285/75/16 BFG A/T on American Racing Python wheels, Stull Billet Grill, Clear Corner Lenses.

'00 Expedition XLT, Silver w/Dark graphite interior, 5.4L, Stull Billet Grill and some other stuff. All in all she'll stay stock. Ok, maybe a Flowmaster 50 series soon.

 

My truck comes with the air suspension option, which proves to be much more difficult to drop. So much so that I haven't seen a kit for it yet.

I have contacted Roger Lemere (of the Online Store) who said that kits for my X do exist. He was supposed to get back to me about them but I haven't heard from him yet. Must really be pretty difficult to find.

Drop him a line...he might be able to get em for you at better prices...and you'd be helping out this board in the process.

Tell me how yours works out...

 

You can move the sensor down in the rear to get the 2in drop and then you can get an Eibach front coil to match with a camber kit.

I would also stay away from any Chassie Tech products, use anything else, hell cut the front springs.

Also Roger should have what you need, just give him another shout, he'll take of ya.
Eric

 

Thanks SE!

I'll send Roger an email straight away.

Would you have a pic of your truck? I wanna see how it turned out. My email's in the sig.

Thanks again.


------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55VR18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Brembo 14" disc brake kit coming right up!!!And hopefully a Lightning engine too!!!

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox




[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 02-11-2000).]

 

With 4WD you would adjust the torsion bars for less height, not cut the springs. If you have 4 corner LLS then the torsion bars are already adjusted for the lowest height. When the front air shocks on the 4LLS are filled they provide the additional force needed to raise the height to normal. If you only want it a 1/2in lower you might get by with tweaking the height sensor for less fill.

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'99 EB Expy 4x4, 5.4L, Ox White, Air Suspended
Stock except for: Auxiliary Battery, Re-located CD Player

 

Hey Dave,

How exactly do I go about tweaking the height sensor? What kind of tools are involved? And what's the most I can lower it by if I go this route?

Thanks

 

Oooops, my mind was on 2wd. But I know there is a way to manipulate the suspension to get a bit of a drop. He is not looking for a big drop so just getting the info to do it is what he needs.
Eric

 

Slammed Expy,

What's the problem with Chassis Tech A-arms?
I just put a set on today. They came with zerks and prepressed ball joints. Installation went flawlessly. I really don't see a product flaw with them.

Please shed some light on why I should have stayed away from the product.

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99 4x4 XLT supercab 5.4L Flareside, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Med. Graphite w/Captain Chairs, Pioneer DEP-4000, Tint, K&N, Bedliner, 3" Catback w/3 Chamber Flowmaster, 285/75/16 BFG A/T on American Racing Python wheels, Stull Billet Grill, Clear Corner Lenses.

'00 Expedition XLT, Silver w/Dark graphite interior, 5.4L, Stull Billet Grill, 2/4 Drop and some other stuff. All in all she'll stay stock. Ok, maybe a Flowmaster 50 series soon.

 

Thunder,
The 4 corner load leveling system has two height sensors (front and rear axle).I was thinking you could adjust the height sensor to a longer position so the computer would compensate by lowering the air spring fill.

The manual shows a mechanical height adjustment for the rear. However the front is adjusted by storing values in the ride computer memory. This requires the NGS Tester (A specialized Digital Instrument)that the dealers have. I don't think it would be wise to only adjust one axle since the sensors are staggered such that some left right differences can be detected and corrected. Not adjusting front and rear together might make it lean.

Looks like it will take more thought, maybe even dealer cooperation to do it.



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'99 EB Expy 4x4, 5.4L, Ox White, Air Suspended
Stock except for: Auxiliary Battery, Re-located CD Player

 

For the Chassis Tech products, if you don't have problems then your lucky, but I would keep a good eye on them, if and when they fail and you try to get some type of customer service!! good luck!! Alignment problems are another one. Also check to make sure your calipers are not hitting the arms at full lock turns. You can goto the sportruck.com site and check with the many who have had problems with them. I am sure there are many who are satisfied or just don't know any better. They are the same Co. as AIM and they have changed names, moved, etc.. bec of legal problems. If you check the BBB i'm sure you'll find lost's of complaint's against them. Try returning anything from them, first you have to give a written statement that you agree to a 35% restocking fee then you get an RA#. If your happy with your products then fine, but I would never recommend Chassis Tech/ Aim to anyone. This is my opinion and my experience and can only warn people against them. There are web sites dedicated to warn people against them.

For the EB suspension, I have seen them on the low side which makes them sort of look lowered. I know that people have complained about the height of the EB's bec the XLT's are heigher. The dealer has programed them to stay at the heigher 4x4 xlt look. If you check the Expedition list I'm sure there has been someone there who has had this done. So i'm sure it can be done the other way, I just don't know anyone who has had it lowered instead of raised.

 

I've lowered two Edpeditions with the rear LLS. Used Eibach springs on the front, Bilstien shocks all around, and lowered the rear by adjusting the height sensor. All it takes is a 13mm socket to loosen the lower bolt on the sensor, and move the lower mounting arm downward.

The vehicle looks and handles much better. The problem is that there is not enough air in the rear bags, and the ride quality is not as good as stock.

Full Effect used to sell different rear air bags to replace the stock bags as an alternative way to lower the rear. However, they are no longer available.

[This message has been edited by Jerry Wolcoveick (edited 03-01-2000).]

 

Thanks for the info.

Full effect's website is currently lacking in content although I've heard of a lot of great products they sell. Damn...

Keep me posted on your progress!

Thanks.

 

Jerry,

I took the truck to the dealer when I had the front end kit installed. They were able to lower the truck by an inch or so by adjusting the airbags. Ride didn't suffer plus it looks so much better now!

------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

pics temporarily available at http://itsaboutthemusicstupid.com

Mods: Lightning front fascia, Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55VR18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Brembo 14" disc brake kit coming right up!!! And hopefully a Lightning engine too!!!

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

I checked again with Full Effect, and they said they do not have a replacement air bag for the 2WD Expedition. They said they also just lower the rear by adjusting the existing bags with the ride height sensor .

I lowered mine about 2-2.5 inches, by slotting out the bottom of the mounting bracket for the height sensor. That may have been too much, and that could be why the ride quality is not so good. I may also be bottoming out against the bump stops, so I'm going to try trimming them a bit.

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2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition; Oxford White with all E.B. trim "whited out". Aftermarket running boards and Ford Air Deflector over rear window. 5.4 L with 3.73 LS rear, and factory tow package. WMS Velocity Tube, K&N filter, and Superchip. SVT Lightning wheels with Yokohama 285/55-18 AVS tires. Eibach lower front springs, Bilstein shocks, and lowered rear, Hellwig rear sway bar.