Spotlight: 1997-2002 Rear-Wheel Drive Ford Expedition Suspension

Get to Know the 1997-2002 Rear-Wheel Drive Ford Expedition

The 1997-2002 Ford Expedition was once synonymous with Eddie Bauer. Ford and Eddie Bauer teamed-up with this beast to offer ridiculous comfort and quality luxurious interior design without having to charge customers luxury prices. Eddie Bauer-stitched leather seats and an enormous cabin is not where Ford drew the line with this home-on-wheels. Ford also added rear air suspension in an attempt to increase towing and hauling performance.

What Suspension Components Do the 1997-2002 Rear-Wheel Drive Ford Expedition Vehicles Have?

The 1997-2002 Rear-Wheel Drive Ford Expedition has 2 coil springs and two gas shocks in the front, and 2 air springs and gas shocks in the rear of the vehicle. Both sets of springs control the vehicle’s height while the 4 shocks control the vehicle’s ride comfort and tire-to-ground contact. The rubber air springs are designed to automatically adjust to different weights being placed into or onto the rear of the vehicle, while the coil springs are designed to hold a specific height for a single, specific weight. The amount of air an air spring has is dependent upon 2 level-sensors on the axle, which, when altered by extra or less weight, sends a signal to the suspension control module. Next, the control module sends a signal to the air compressor, which in turn pushes air through air lines into the top of the air springs via a solenoid until the vehicle is back at the desired ride height.

Air Bag to Coil Spring Conversion

While the active air suspension system works well in theory when regarding towing and hauling varying weights, Ford did a poor job when implementing this theory in the early Expeditions. One of the biggest issues with the rear air suspension in these SUV’s come from punctures in the air bags. What tends to happen with these vehicles, especially Expeditions that people take offroading or mudding, is that the rear axle accumulates a lot of rust. This rust builds at the bottom of the lower spring perches (the air springs sit right on the rear axle) and punctures and scrapes the bottom of the air bags. The conversion kit will replace those air springs with variable-rate steel Eibach coil springs that are a direct replacement for the air springs. Rust will not cause issue with the coil springs, and it will not spread as our coil springs are powder coated to protect against rust.

Why is the coil spring suspension better than air suspension for my Ford Expedition?

So you may be asking yourself something along the lines of “I already liked my ride with the air suspension before, why should I buy a new product that may or may not give me the same ride quality I am used to?” Not only are there many factors as to why you should convert from air suspension to passive suspension, but there are many factors as to why you should specifically purchase a new Strutmasters conversion kit to replace your worn-out air suspension:

• While the original air springs may have lasted a long time, the replacements won’t be the same as the originals; don’t expect the same quality!
• Our conversion kits use cold-wound steel Eibach springs and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty! Try asking the dealer if your failed air system is covered by a warranty!
• Your entire air system will most likely need to be replaced, leaving you with a bill for over $2,000 in parts for OE replacements!
• Get rid of having to deal with the same failing parts every few years, and fix your suspension with our simple-to-install springs and new replacement shocks starting at only $219!
• Used to hauling a wheelchair and carrier with your Ford Expedition while maintaining a level ride? You will still be able to do so with our load-leveling conversion kit complete with an Air-Lift 1000 kit made specifically to fit inside of our springs!
• Our struts and shocks have the best dampening of any kit on the market.
• Buy the best, buy the original. We invented the conversion kit!