Would like to soften ride on 2004 Expedition

[jruppert]

So I just picked up an 04 Eddie Bauer non air suspension. It had BFGoodrich Rugged Trail when I purchased it but tires were shot so I replaced them with Long Trail's. The ride did improve but not enough. The EB seems to ride rather firm. A little too firm for my liking. It seems to pick up all the imperfections in the road. So I thought maybe I should replace either shocks and/or springs. Last night I was doing some research on my setup and found that there were 5 different springs used in rear on my model and 6 different setups in front.

So what I am trying to figure out if I can get away with just replacing the shocks or if I should change spring as well. I do no go off road and do not pull anything except for maybe a trip to lowes with a trailer which is once or twice a year. What do you guys think? I have found on here and some other forums that people recommend the Bilsteins. At the same time, I hear people say the Bilstein make their setup too firm. So I am unsure as to my direction to go. Since I want to soften the ride I dont know if the Bilsteins would be a good setup. Am I wrong? Also, I use to own a 2005 Expedition NBX. If I am not mistaken, that had factory Bilstein shocks. I did like the way that handled. However the spring rate may have been different.

Here is a pic of my rear drivers side spring/shock which shows part numbers.

 

[Dib52]

Looks to me that they have been replaced already. The fact that the part nos. are still legible and the white chalk lines on the tie rods tells me that someone has been in there. You could try throwing some shocks at it, but it might not achieve what your looking for.

 

[DF5.4]

What are your tire pressures at? What size and type of tire are the new ones? Everything I have heard the Bilstein shocks are a firmer shock.

 

[jruppert]

265/70/17 is what is installed on there now.

I thought the shocks looked newer just because of the condition. As far as part #, the number does coincide with what is available on the vehicle. I suppose I could look at the label at door to make sure the spring is what is actually installed.

I am scratching my head as to why it rides so much rougher than the 2005 NBX that I owned.

The GVRW on my EB is 7300 lbs. I believe this is standard for that year anyway.

 

[DF5.4]

Are they P rated or LT? What pressures are they at?

 

[jruppert]

P rated @ 35 psi

 

[jruppert]

From what I understand of the door label, the section at lower right corner 'SPR' is the springs installed. CCFF , I found a site that says CC is a front spring
CC — 3L1J-18B036-AA and FF is FF — 3L14-18B036-BA.

Based on the one pic that I attached, it shows a part # of 4L14-5534-AA listed on spring. This part # doesnt match what the label is showing. Does this make any sense? It doesnt to me.