New Explorer Coils on the BII

[Area 52]

After installing some progressive rate Explorer coils and Bilstein HD's (front & rear), the front height went up about 3/4"...which is what I wanted. However, while driving the front corners tend to overreact and spring up quite a bit if I hit bumps or slight road indentations. Did I get too strong of a coil?...or any other suggestions???

I also noticed that by increasing the front end a tad, the sway bar is now quite a bit "unloaded". Wonder if there are modified brackets that would preload it more.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Shran]

I'm assuming you got it aligned after the new coils, so it is probably just bumpsteer. You might try just extending your sway bar links in the front, dunno if it would help or not though. My Skyjacker 6" kit came with extended swaybar links so you could probably buy aftermarket ones too.

 

[Area 52]

Yes...I had it realigned. The symptom really isn't bump steer as steering is not impacted at all. Is is more of a bump "launch". The Bilstein HDs I installed were for a BII, yet the coils are for an Explorer. Wouldn't you think there was sufficient expansion resistance on the Billies to compensate for the stronger spring rate of the Explorer springs? I'm at a total friggin' loss here.

Also, where would one get one inch longer sway links?

 

[Shran]

Hmm. I am not really very knowledgeable about this stuff but my theory would be that the Ex springs are stiffer since they are built for a heavier vehicle. Therefore I guess it would make sense that they'd react the way you say it does, and if the shocks are valved to allow for more uptravel then that becomes part of the equation too. I may have this all wrong though so take it with a grain of salt.

Longer links - may have to just extend the ones you have, I think my Skyjacker ones were much longer than stock and I'm not sure if shorter ones are available in the aftermarket.