Ford expedition self leveling air suspension part 2

Here's the suspension after unloading the concrete. Watch part 1 if you haven't already seen it.

[@Sshtb0x_cars]

I love the air suspension on these. I have the 4was on my '00 people say it's unreliable but mine went damn near 21 years trouble free. My rear solenoid took a dump and now I need to replace the module but besides that I'm leaving the air

[@undergroundanon6620]

What's the proper steps to hooking up? I hooked up, the ass end dropped and was getting errors for air suspension. It raised back up overnight but how do I hook up safely and not drop the back end so much?

[@vegasfordguy]

Start truck, close door, hook up trailer, will automatically level. Or you can hook up trailer and as soon as you close doors and start truck it should level out.

[@undergroundanon6620]

@@vegasfordguy thanks man, I think I have bad height scensors on the back.

[@vegasfordguy]

@@undergroundanon6620 It's possible. There is only one height sensor on the rear.

[@undergroundanon6620]

@@vegasfordguy it's the little arm right that swivels on both ends. With a connection. I got one on each side.

[@vegasfordguy]

@@undergroundanon6620 Sure is, I guess they changed them year to year. Does your pump come on? Could also be a fuse, the pump itself or the relay. I've been pretty lucky I guess, nothing has ever failed except for the bags themselves.

[@TmP45]

So is it hard to remove the rear tires with the airbags?

[@vegasfordguy]

Not at all, tires come off just like they would on any other vehicle. The airbags just take the place of the coil springs. Before jacking up the vehicle you just turn the switch off for the air suspension which is under the passenger side dash kick panel.

[@lancecarroll81]

The airbags are cool until they leak out then you're sitting on bumpstops. I converted my 2012 to coilovers. Alot cheaper and more reliable.

[@vegasfordguy]

I wouldn't convert them to coils. They work excellent and always keep the vehicle level. I have changed the air bags 3 times in 20 years, they are inexpensive and easy to change. I had a Lincoln Mark VIII with front and rear air suspension, I did the coil conversion on it and I sold it a month later as is rode terrible compared to the air ride. The coils are not cheaper or more reliable, aftermarket air bags are very inexpensive and you'll usually get 10 years of service from a set. I would never remove them, especially if you tow. Your vehicle will always be level and your headlights at the correct level.

[@lancecarroll81]

@@vegasfordguy Did you have the Arnott brand? I put them on the rear of my 2012 and I think it rides good; maybe not as good as air but my rationale was, I could spend $479 to convert it once, or pay $300 PER air bag every time the bladder springs a leak on the air suspension. I just saw the air suspension as a money pit. But I will say that pulling my camper, it squats more than I'd like even with sumo springs installed. Can airbags hold up 800 tongue weight plus 7 passengers? Honest question. I just wonder how airbags would handle that weight.

[@vegasfordguy]

@@lancecarroll81 Replacement air bags aren't $300 per bag. They are $68 a pair with free shipping. Prices have really come down on them. The air bags can handle more weight vs the coil springs. I've had a full pallet of concrete behind it without a problem. They also don't have problem with towing my trailer with 600lb tongue weight. I'm glad you're happy with the coils, I would never get rid of the air bags as they are a necessity IMO.

[@kd7cwg]

See more failed these days than good. The air pump has a low duty cycle. If system gets a link, pump works overtime and burns up

[@vegasfordguy]

210,000 miles and the air pump is original! I'm on my third set of air bags over 20 years and every other part of the system is original. You are incorrect.

[@simpleinverso8628]

I'd say the problems are in the sensors. Mine had those gone bad, but the pump still worked

[@vegasfordguy]

@@simpleinverso8628 There is no problem. Just showing how it works.

[@Benjamin06267485]

How many pounds does those 1997-2002 expeditions can tow? I have a 2000 Eddie Bauer

[@vegasfordguy]

Here's the info I copied online. Curb weight: 4,808 to 5,177 lbs MPG: Up to 15 city / 20 highway Transmission: 4-speed automatic Towing capacity: 7,900 to 8,300 lbs Fuel tank capacity: 26 to 30 gal Engine: 4.6 L V8, 5.4 L V8

[@Benjamin06267485]

Desert Explorer 302 Oh WOW! That is STRONG!! So I suppose that for the 4x2 model towing might be 8,300. Right?

[@vegasfordguy]

@@Benjamin06267485 I'm not sure, but that would make sense as the vehicle itself is lighter do there would be more towing capacity. However these numbers are for an expedition with the factory tow package which would have the larger radiator, correct gearing, etc. Also to achieve these numbers you may also need a weight distribution hitch depending on your set up. Whenever I tow I take it easy, never exceed 65mph and always turn OD off when descending a hill and let the engine do the braking.

[@Benjamin06267485]

Desert Explorer 302 excellent information. Thanks! 😃👍🏻

[@vegasfordguy]

@@Benjamin06267485 😁👍