My 2000 5.4l Eddie Bauer 4x4

[ExplorerTom]

Got an alignment today to correct the front end after cranking the torsion bars to their max to compliment the Supreme Suspension coil spacers in the back.

Pics to come later.

I'm liking the ride. The Expedition before felt more like my mom's Cadillac than a truck. Now with the factory keys maxed out, it rides stiffer- and I like it.

 

[poorboy1964]

What size spacers did you get? I just ordered 2 1/2"

 

[ExplorerTom]

The 2-1/2".

 

[ExplorerTom]

So it's been awhile but I put the Supreme Suspension 2.5" coil spacers on the rear and cranked the torsion bars to the max. I was able to get the full 2.5" all around (the front may have actually gone up a little more).

Here's a quick pic before going camping recently:


Initial impressions were favorable. But because I didn't do anything about the shocks, I didn't realize that the rears were basically at full extension at normal ride height. So with any flex, the internal valving quickly got trashed against the end of the tube. It wasn't long before the ride got horrible. I'm pretty sure the tires weren't always in contact with the road.

I ordered some Bilsteins that I thought were good for my lifted application. I had no luck finding good info on the Bilsteins. Tonight I finally got around to installing them. Or, trying to install them...... I got the top bolted in, but I was unable to get the bottom in. Too short. And I was doing this with the full weight of the truck on the tires. The Bilsteins are actually slightly shorter than the Ranchos:


So now I'm going to be installing the Ranchos meant for 4" lifts. Judging by my tape measuring, I think they will work just fine. One nice thing about Ranchos- plenty of info on their website.

Oh, and the old Rancho, I can freely move the shock in and out. It's basically along for the ride.

 

[Texpedition45]

Do you by any chance have the part number for the 4" Rancho shock?

 

[John Christopher]

So it's been awhile but I put the Supreme Suspension 2.5" coil spacers on the rear and cranked the torsion bars to the max. I was able to get the full 2.5" all around (the front may have actually gone up a little more).

Hi Tom, i just found your thread and went through the whole thing. You have a lot of skill and did a great job on the truck. I'm just curious if you had to do it all over would you start with a vehicle in better shape. I believe you said yours cost $4500. How much to you think the have in it all together. Thanks John

Here's a quick pic before going camping recently:


Initial impressions were favorable. But because I didn't do anything about the shocks, I didn't realize that the rears were basically at full extension at normal ride height. So with any flex, the internal valving quickly got trashed against the end of the tube. It wasn't long before the ride got horrible. I'm pretty sure the tires weren't always in contact with the road.

I ordered some Bilsteins that I thought were good for my lifted application. I had no luck finding good info on the Bilsteins. Tonight I finally got around to installing them. Or, trying to install them...... I got the top bolted in, but I was unable to get the bottom in. Too short. And I was doing this with the full weight of the truck on the tires. The Bilsteins are actually slightly shorter than the Ranchos:


So now I'm going to be installing the Ranchos meant for 4" lifts. Judging by my tape measuring, I think they will work just fine. One nice thing about Ranchos- plenty of info on their website.

Oh, and the old Rancho, I can freely move the shock in and out. It's basically along for the ride.

 

[nobycane74]

I just reading through all these threads for your journey in restoration of your expedition...which is looking nice.
Question: What type of muffler did you use/buy for your replacement? I am curious as I am on a similar journey in replacing many parts on mine '01 Exp. EB.

Thanks.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Hi Tom, i just found your thread and went through the whole thing. You have a lot of skill and did a great job on the truck. I'm just curious if you had to do it all over would you start with a vehicle in better shape. I believe you said yours cost $4500. How much to you think the have in it all together. Thanks John

Thanks John.

Better condition...... I feel for the price I paid, it was in pretty good condition. It was a little dirty, but mechanically it's been pretty sound. If I could find one in better shape, I sure would. But I've had some fun with this one.

How much in it all together...... Probably an additional $2000. I can look it up for a better answer when I get back to work (I have a spreadsheet....).

 

[ExplorerTom]

I just reading through all these threads for your journey in restoration of your expedition...which is looking nice.
Question: What type of muffler did you use/buy for your replacement? I am curious as I am on a similar journey in replacing many parts on mine '01 Exp. EB.

Thanks.

I went with the Magnaflow cat-back system. I don't remember the part number. I'm totally happy with the sound it provides. Aggressive but not loud and it doesn't drone.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Do you by any chance have the part number for the 4" Rancho shock?

RS55112

 

[ExplorerTom]

Replaced the old Ranchos with new Ranchos tonight.

Side-by-side:

The new shocks have a slightly larger diameter body.

The old shocks are RS5246 and were good for stock height. The new shocks are RS55112 and are supposed to be good for 4.5" lift.

Here was the root of my problem with the old shocks after the 2.5" lift:

The shock is at full extension and the truck is at normal ride height. There's next to zero room for any down travel.

Here's the new shock:

LOTS of room for down travel.

I didn't get a picture in the compressed state, but it's all good there too.

Took it for a spin and it's all good. I probably need to do the fronts soon, but they don't seem to be nearly as bad as the rears were.

 

[devincox]

I'm looking for some new rear shocks. How is the ride quality from the new rancho shocks.

 

[ExplorerTom]

With the old shocks, it was good (prior to the lift). I expect the same out of the new shocks. I'll reserve final judgement until I also do the fronts (soon).

 

[Texpedition45]

With the old shocks, it was good (prior to the lift). I expect the same out of the new shocks. I'll reserve final judgement until I also do the fronts (soon).

I don't recall if you mentioned it earlier in the thread but do you (or did you) have the air ride?

 

[ExplorerTom]

No air ride.

 

[Texpedition45]

No air ride.

Converted or didn't have it to begin with?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Didn't have it when I bought it- and no indication it ever had it.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Currently in the middle of a 2400 mile road trip from Colorado to northern Wisconsin and back.

Gas mileage has been good. I've been getting in the high 14 to low 15 range. And speaking of range, I put 420 miles on one tank- DTE was showing 1 mile when I pulled up to the pump. I don't think I had ever done more than 380 or so. I've been running some bottles of fuel system cleaner recently, so perhaps that's why.

I almost feel guilty driving my 17 year old rust-free truck around the rust belt.



Almost.

 

[hammerg26]

I was excited when I drove to Texas and back this past week. Was showing 395 to empty at the start and 440 to empty at the end. 15 mpg average with average speed around 75.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ExplorerTom]

Got some Husky Liners off Craigslist.



For the rear, I transferred my tie downs to be on top.


Sure beats the generic Goodyear all-season mats I had in there before.