I have a 98 eddie bauer expy. I have put 20's on it and I want to get rid of that ugly gap...lol. The local shop which is very good says that all you can do with a 4x4 is take out the tortion bolts in the front and shorter springs in the rear. he says this will drop it 3" front and 3" rear which would be fine. Has anyone done this or anything else with a 4x4.

Thanks

 

radio9mark,

Did you ever get the lowering done on your 4wd Expedition? Also do you have the 4 corner load leveling suspension? If so, what the local shop told you isn't totally correct. First of all, you can't get shorter springs in the rear. You can adjust the air suspension though about an inch or so. The torsion bar in the front can also be tweaked to lower you Expy about an inch giving you an overall lowering of about an inch or so all the way around.

However, if you have the regular suspension (non LLS) there is a kit from BellTech that lowers the Expy about 3 inches ( I think). The kit will probably be a better way to go because I don't know how safe it would be to take out the torsion bolts. The Expy will also ride better with the kit.

One more thing: do you have any pics of your Expy with the 20" rims? If so, can you please post them or email me a couple to robertc128@hotmail.com Also, what size tires are you running with the 20"s?

Thanks in advance.

Robert

 

I called Belltech a few weeks ago and they said they didn't have a lowering kit for the 4X4 (non LLS). If you have any info on it please share it. I did find a lowering kit at Western Motor Sports. They have a 2/3 that comes with new torsion keys, a re-alignment kit, new bump stops, and shorter variable rate rear springs. Cost ~$425.00 US$. I haven't found anyone yet with shorter shocks. I spoke with Bilstein they told me stock length will work with that amount of drop. I'm ready to buy unless I can find and compare with other kits.

 

I dropped my 4x about six months or so ago... they torque the torsions and replaced the rears (non LLS - it's an XLT). I wanted a slight drop since I only the Roush 18's, but I'm thinking of going back up to the regular stance now. I liked the look of the drop but recently I saw several with same size wheels and stock 4x height... it was that bad. Besides I wanted to replace my stocks with a set of Bilsteins - 00Expo... did I hear you correctly: you said Bilstein stated their 4x4 shocks would work fine with the drop??? I called some various shops and they all told me that I should not proceed with this type of setup and that's why I want to go back. Please let me know if this answer was given to you directly from Bilstein or another shop... thanks 00Expo!

As for the dropping the 4x4 take it from me go with the kit... you'll like the look but hate the ride if you go my way!!! Live and learn I guess?!?

Out

 

Actually, Bilstein gave me some measurements from mounting hole to mounting hole for minimum distance at [level height] and max [fully compressed] and they fell in the range. Unfortunately, I can't find the actual numbers. Go figure! If there's any Bilstein folks out there, how bout a little more help! I was hoping they could suggest another shock of the same specs but in a shorter length, but no luck. I guess if I had a spec. chart of all their shocks, I could probably find ones that work.
Also, the folks at W.M.S. said they sell these lowering kits through Ford dealers all throughout Western Canada, and use stock size shocks. The link shows the lowered Expo.
Any luck finding the Belltech kits? [URL=http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/f150pkg.html]

On another note, I cant believe Borla can't come up with an after cat for the 2000 Expo 5.4L! They've had more than enough time.

Oh Well...

CP

 

Hey 00Expo... I got an answer from WMS re: the shock application for their lowering kit. Seems like they use just stocks in their kit. So, according to them, the 4x4 Bilsteins will do just fine. I sent another request for the detail list of their kit, i.e. what do they do with the front torsions... same as me - tweak er torque?!? And also the cost of the coils itself and for the entire kit. I'll try the Bilsteins as the truck sits now (drop of 2") and see how the ride is... always got the originals coils ready for deployment!!!

Another topic - new thread, maybe but here it goes - Recently, I've been hearing a rather prominent ticking noise as I turn the wheel. Mainly from stand-still position and when wheel is cranked. Bearings??? I hope not Is there a fix I can do myself or is there other components involved and a dealer visit required I thought maybe this had something to do with the drop since it wasn't with a kit... 00Expo or anyone else with the setup have suspension and/or front end issues? Please post to this thread, THANKS!!!