Add load leveling shocks

[Oakislandbum]

I have searched this forum and others, and I see folks referencing this mod to add the nivomat load leveling shocks to the 3rd gen expedition, but I haven't seen anyone who has actually done it. I have '15 XLT 4WD with Max tow package and standard shocks. The truck sags with my 3500lb boat and 400lb tongue weight. Replaced Tues with Michelin E load rating. That made huge difference, but still need to reduce rear sagging. Looking for anyone who has made this conversion to nivomat school. Thanks!

 

[Muddy Bean]

I wouldn’t bother messing around with retrofitting Nivomats onto your truck for what you’re talking about. You’d be better off installing an air lift kit/compressor/bags. The nivomats will level the truck with a load of baggage or other medium heavy stuff in the trunk but they do not prevent sagging under the weight you’re talking about. Take it from me. I have them and look:



They will never be able to do this:



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[Oakislandbum]

Sounds great. What brand did you use? I cannot find any air bag kit for the third gen Expedition. The only suspension option I see is the Sumo helper spring.

 

[Muddy Bean]

I never installed a set but I’m planning on it. I would check into air lift


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[Adieu]

Sagging under weight is spring rate and freshness/fatigue not load level

Also, LT tires? Shouldnt do anything whatsoever for sag

 

[Oakislandbum]

So basically there is no option for third gen to firm up the rear end? I have not found anyone who has made the conversion to load leveling shocks, and there are no production air bag kits made for this model. The tires with a heavier load rating did not do anything for sag, but it improved the stability of the vehicle significantly.

 

[MidwestBoater]

I plan to get SumoSprings helper "springs" for the rear of my Expedition before next boating season..

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Su...ion/2016/CSS-1168R.html?vehicleid=20161229693

 

[bobmbx]

I plan to get SumoSprings helper "springs" for the rear of my Expedition before next boating season..

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Su...ion/2016/CSS-1168R.html?vehicleid=20161229693

Zip ties? Seriously?

 

[EightIsEnough]

Check out the Air Lift 1000 from SD Truck Springs. I have a 2010 Expedition, but I added it to my 2016 Grand Caravan to use it for a work van hauling tools and trailers. After a year of use I could not be happier. They let me carry lots of extra weight and keep it level by adding air at the Schrader valve I put near the hitch. You can air it back down when not needed.

$85 and about 1.5 hours is not much to invest. If you want to get fancy you can go so far as to install a compressor underneath with a switch and a guage inside the cabin, but I like the price savings. The kit is very universal and fits inside the coil springs with air lines running to wherever you want the valve.

I wouldn't hesitate to add the longer set to my Expedition if needed. People use these on RV's and larger trucks as well.

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[MidwestBoater]

These won't work on the Expedition since it has struts front and rear. I had them on the back of my Ram though and they worked great.

Check out the Air Lift 1000 from SD Truck Springs. I have a 2010 Expedition, but I added it to my 2016 Grand Caravan to use it for a work van hauling tools and trailers. After a year of use I could not be happier. They let me carry lots of extra weight and keep it level by adding air at the Schrader valve I put near the hitch. You can air it back down when not needed.

$85 and about 1.5 hours is not much to invest. If you want to get fancy you can go so far as to install a compressor underneath with a switch and a guage inside the cabin, but I like the price savings. The kit is very universal and fits inside the coil springs with air lines running to wherever you want the valve.

I wouldn't hesitate to add the longer set to my Expedition if needed. People use these on RV's and larger trucks as well.

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[AllBoostNoEco]

Curiously, my car hauler doesn’t make my truck sag much when empty (3,500 pounds, 350 TW), not more than an inch or two, and I use a weight distribution setup when it’s loaded. As was pointed out, the load leveling shocks don’t do much with that much tongue weight anyway.
Have you considered investing in a weight-distributing hitch rather than trying to firm up the rear of your truck? They make setups for lighter weights such as yours, and you would have a level truck when towing without having to make the truck ride harsher when not towing.

 

[Muddy Bean]

I have a load leveling/sway control hitch and I still sag a bit as seen in the photos. I am bummed we can’t retrofit an air bag under there.


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[Oakislandbum]

Agreed. Pretty disappointing that a vehicle with the "max tow package", and rated for 9000lbs+, can't handle a few hundred pounds of weight in/on the rear...
So to be clear, no one so far has added or converted from regular suspension to anything that is beefier which eliminates the sag?

 

[MidwestBoater]

Here is the sag my 2016 xlt has with the boat hooked up. The truck has nothing in it in this picture other than an 80lb Labrador and my 11 year old daughter.

The boat and trailer are maybe 4000lbs max combined with fuel and all of our crap. The boat itself weighs 2,200lbs, the motor is 350lbs, the trailer I figure is maybe 1,000lbs...

 

[Adieu]

That's not much sag at all

My '09 SWB on fresh rancho coilovers sagged a lot more with a moderate overload (7 big adults, few hundred pounds of luggage -- figure ~2000-2200 lbs occupants+cargo weight)... highway handling wasn't compromised though

Btw: as long as you don't go nose-up and lose front wheel traction, rear sag on an RWD/4x4 vehicle isn't actually detrimental to handling

 

[ANGEL TORES]

I know and have that same problem. I did a lot of research and recently found a company that makes rear strut air bags for our expe. Try looking up Airbagit.com they have what we need. If you go on youtube there are videos on this product and Airlyft has a universal kit but parts have to be welded together so it can fit your Expedition. I will be making my order soon because I have a toy hauler camper and plan on making a long trip from New Jersey to Daytona Beach bike week in March. I have a weight distribution hitch and I still have that unsightly sag. People think my camper is to heavy for my Expedition but fact is that the gross on my camper is 8,600lbs and that is well under my capacity of 9,200lbs. It pulls and stops as it should but because of the sag I do feel a little sway and if I can lift the rear of the truck I am sure I won't feel that sway. My weight distribution hitch has a sway control so I am confident I won't get into a issue on the road especially because we have made a trip to the Florida Keys and back just fine, but that sag is like having a ugly mole in the middle of your forehead. I called Airgagit.com and just for the struts it is a cost of about $800 and that is with no compressor. I am going to go the more affordable route and run a line to each strut with a T and use a shredder valve to air them up for now. Any compressor kit can be used and that is far better and it is recommended. Hope this helps you and anyone with the same problem we have about towing with a saggy butt. Good luck.

 

[ANGEL TORES]

My sagging problem

 

[JasonH]

I tow a 27' foot bumper pull trailer that weighs around 6,000 lbs. I have very little sag. I use a weight distributing and sway controlling hitch to redistribute load from the rear vehicle axle to the front. I would try purchasing one from a local distributor and see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, then return it. I use a Husky Centerline 32218.

 

[Oakislandbum]

I only tow boats, about 3500lb max. Normally don't see WD setups on boat trailers. Just need air suspension or stiffer rear strut option. Disappointing research so far, and disappointing performance with luggage in the rear and 350lbs of tongue weight. Going to have to call the Airbagit company. Their susi doesn't allow filtering to find products for a specific vehicle. Will post of I find solution.

 

[Muddy Bean]

I tow a 27' foot bumper pull trailer that weighs around 6,000 lbs. I have very little sag. I use a weight distributing and sway controlling hitch to redistribute load from the rear vehicle axle to the front. I would try purchasing one from a local distributor and see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, then return it. I use a Husky Centerline 32218.

Post a pic of your truck with trailer attached from the side. I’d like to see this “very little sag”. Most of us are using a WDH system and still have sag, so you are either loading your trailer behind the axles or you have magic rear suspension. Which trim level and year is your truck?


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