My 2015 Lowering Adventure

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cbepro

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It all started in 2021 with Ebay lowering shocks. DO NOT recommend. Shocks went bouncy in about half a year or so. (No pics of them on vehicle).

Late 2021, X2 shocks installed. Also, do not recommend for the price.
X2 shock on left. Ebay shock on right. Notice the Ebay shock lower mount spacer/bushing all cracked within a year of driving.
20211014_111737.jpg


The rears:
Ebay shock left. X2 on the right. (Boy that bushing looks small...)
20210826_171003.jpg

Then went back to stock shocks for a little bit
20241025_141652.jpg

Before running the best setup to date:

Front: Belltech shocks with no spacer rings installed. Also, installed Hellwig front swaybar.

Side note, I did use F-150 front shock assembly when I went back to stock. So, its F150 spring on the belltech shock now.
20241217_134413.jpg

Rear: 03-06 Belltech lowering springs.

20241220_123514.jpg


Still searching for a way to get the rear lower. Might cut 1 coil.
No rubbing anywhere. Handles amazing for a big brick.
 

Drae

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I lowered my 03 4WD with the Belltech 929 kit and Bilstein shocks. I thought the springs looked identical to the springs on my 2010 as well. Did you try the front Belltech springs at all before the F150 assemblies? I hesitated lowering my 2010 because of the Houston flooding but after getting caught in my 03 and tackling it flawlessly, I said screw it and want to go ahead and do it.
 

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cbepro

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Stock in front maybe? To level it out. Definitely looks good though

Thanks. Thought about adding 1 spacer to bring the front up but I am way too lazy for that haha. But after driving for a while, love the look and how she handles being that low. Im 90% sure im cutting the rear springs to bring dat a** down.


Never tried the front Belltech sprinngs. Wanted to use aftermarket shocks because I feel the stock ones aren't tight enough. Too soft. Couldnt be happier with the Belltech shocks n stock springs.

I read somewhere that the F150 spring is 1 inch taller than the Expedition. Thats why I mentioned it. If you use stock Expy springs on Belltech shock, you may sit an inch lower than me in the front? But you could add the spacer rings that came with the shock.

For the rear, Im thinking about cutting the Belltech spring and using a Bilstein 5100 shock.

I did use 2003-2006 Belltech Springs to lower the rear:
20241213_123629.jpg
 
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Drae

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All interesting ideas you have here. I'm thinking about trying the same Belltech kit on my 2010 but not sure what's making the rebound so slow on the 03. It rides and turns good but hitting a deep dip at faster speeds leaves a bit to be desired in the suspension setup. It's not bouncy at all either, just a little softer than I'd prefer. If I push down on the front or rear of the vehicle, like trying to bounce it, it's nice and stiff and rebounds quickly. Both the springs and Bilstein shocks were done at the same time so I don't know which one to blame. Overall I love it but just have to slow down on big dips. My 2010 has OEM shocks and springs on it at over 160K miles on it and the ride has been great since I bought it with 75K miles on it. The rebound is still great and turns nice and tight. Which is why I'd like to try the Belltech kit on the stock shocks to compare. Well I'll continue to follow what you're doing to see what you come up with. Looks great BTW!
 
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cbepro

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Reading your post and it sounds exactly how riding on the X2 and ebay lowering shocks were. It was all good at first but the shocks quickly deteriorated. Felt like almost no damping over dips and bumps. So much in fact that my front tires would always hit the inside fender and cut into the tires. Basically had to damn near crawl before a speed bump or a dip. I did have 33's all around though. But the truck did feel fine in every other aspect.


Lowered on the X2 kit here:
20230210_123252.jpg

20230210_123244.jpg

However....

I cannot recommend enough how the Belltech shocks enhanced the lowered driving feel compared to any other setup. The front end feels precise and tight. Way more confident throwing it into a corner. Would love to run the Belltech coilovers.
 

Drae

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Exactly! Medium to large sized speed bumps are another thing to where I need to make sure I don't let it drop too fast off of the apex of the bump. The mud flaps are getting a little damaged from this. Do you have part numbers for the Belltech shocks or the year range to search them?

Well nevermind on the part numbers. I went back and looked at your pictures of the shock assemblies and realized the front shocks mount differently from my 03 and 2010.
 
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cbepro

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Yeah thats what sucks is the suspension is somewhat similar between the years but still different. I'm using F150 Belltech front shocks.

Would you say the 03 shocks look similar to the 2010 ones? Im checking RockAuto but non of the part numbers match. BUT the 03 and 2010 front lower control arms do look similar. Maybe the shocks can be interchanged?

What I'm getting at is that if the 03 and 10 shocks can be swapped. Maybe there's a chance you could run the 03-06 ebay coilovers???

And since we know the 03-06 rear springs fit a 2010 and 2015 expedition, the top mounts have to be the same. Ergo, I could run the 03-06 rear coilovers as well!
(yea I know the geometry may be off cause the rear suspension layout is different between the years but can't a guy dream???)
 

Drae

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The 03 springs look identical to the 2010 springs. That's exactly why I'm thinking of trying the Belltech 929 kit for the 2010 as well. I would never do Ebay suspension again. I had an 04 Envoy a while back and put front shock assemblies on it. Didn't last very long and had the shock mount rattle. The Expedition rear shocks seem to be very similar from 03 all the way up to the 2017. I'd say go for it ! I'm going for it as well.
 
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cbepro

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I know what you mean bout the ebay suspension haha. But these are the only options we have to get real low on the rear.

maxspeedingrod coilovers Listed only for 2003-2006 models. But the rears may work on newer models.
 
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