Aviator suspension

[cwally]

Does anyone know if the the aviator springs are the same as the explorer and mountaineer springs? I bought a Aviator and want to put some eibach springs but they dont make them for my car, but there are some for the Aviator. Can anyone shed some light or let me know if they know of any drop? Thanks.

[cwally]

whoops.. I meant to say that Eibach has springs for the explorer. I want to know if theyare compatible...

[Bill Murray]

I just spoke with the Eibach technical support people and they say that they are about 3 months away from a spring setup for the Aviator.

They also said do not try to use the part number/s for the Explorer as they cannot guarantee that they will function properly.

Patience, as always, is a virtue when you wish to improve the performance of a newly introduced vehicle. Having purchased a 1999 Lightning serial #247, I know how this works.

Not good news, but at least news.
Bill

[cwally]

Thanks for the response. At least this way I can plan ahead. Bad thing is, I am already on the wheels butI got this wheel gap that doesnt seem to go good with them :D But at least this way I can install the stereo system first. Thanks.

[pro-five-oh]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Exploder ones will work fine...but as Bill says...patience is a virtue!

[Bill Murray]

Pro-five-oh:
I was reading your sig line, right way etc.
I agree with you the Exploder would probably work just fine as they are essentially the same vehicle in principle. I think what the tech rep was getting at is that he thought the Aviator was probably specced just a tad more towards a softer ride than the Exploder as I have heard the Gator is a bit softer than the Expy. I have no proof of this, but it makes sense that a Lincoln variant would ride softer than a Ford variant.
Therefore, they may want to do a spring set that is somewhere in between stock Aviator and "aggressive" Aviator that is less aggressive than the Exploder springs. Bottom line, I guess, is that the Exploder springs would most likely work just fine from an install point of view but may be just a bit jouncy for an Aviator owner.
I already have experienced this with my Blackwood where I find I can source a lot of SuperCrew and HD Supercrew parts but they are pretty aggressive to put on a luxo/barge truck and I don't think I am going there.
My Pat and I have put almost 8,000 miles on the Wood on all of our long distance trips since I got the truck, knocking her 02 Continental out of the running as the interstate cruiser, and I don't want to go back to driving that particular vehicle on 2,000 mile trips ever again.
Bill

[pro-five-oh]

Bill: no doubt the folks at eibach are making a softer spring for the Aviator. It might be perfect for the Exploder person who wants the "look" with a smooth ride.

Judging by all the positive comments the Aviator gets by car magazines for its handling and power, I bet a set of Eibachs and Koni Reds would make it terrorize Pony Cars and Imports with ease! smile.gif

[cwally]

Here is a pic. I wan to get rid of some of the wheel gap.
http://images.cardomain.com/installs/164000-164999/164448_226_full.jpg

[pro-five-oh]

Daaaamn, those rims are SWEET! Very nice.

Email the webmaster with that pic so we can have our first Aviator in the "RIDES" section!

[lsondubz]

I recognize ya from the .org, nice aviator again, looks like this one, but I believe these are 24's

http://store.310motoring.com/image/sku/625/2/RON%20BROWN%202003%20NAVI%20full.jpg

[cwally]

quote:Originally posted by lsondubz:
I recognize ya from the .org, nice aviator again, looks like this one, but I believe these are 24's

Thanks for tha props. ANd yeah... those are 24"s.
:eek:

[pro-five-oh]

quote:Originally posted by lsondubz:
[QB]I recognize ya from the .org...[QB]

What ".org"??? smile.gif

[cwally]

quote:Originally posted by pro-five-oh:


What ".org"??? smile.gif

I believe he is talking about www.maxima.org (http://www.maxima.org)
:cool:

[Aviator]

New to the board. Glad others have the same concerns about the ride height. The gap is way toooo much. The next item to approach is the exhaust. Tempting to dump the resonator and shoot twin chrome extensions out the back. What have others done? :rolleyes:

[cwally]

Jus to give everyone an update, I called Eibach and ended up ordering the springs for the 03 V8 Explorer. I talked to some people at Eibach and they said they had no idea when they were going to get started on springs for the Aviator. I offered to take my car to them so that they could check it out. They took my number and all but they never got back to me. :( The springs are on back order until the 20th, so I wont be able to install until then. That same week I am getting my stereo put in. I will post pics.

[Aviator]

smile.gif Cwally - thanks for being the guinea pig on this one. Two things will likely happen by using the Explorer springs. The springs will be shorter and that will drop the Aviator and the Aviator weighs more that the Explorer, and that will drop it a bit more.

When you get it aligned, please tell us how much adjustment was needed to get everything "True" again, and if anything else happened in the installation (move any lines, cut bump stops, etc.).

The next question - what happens to the ride quality? I suspect it will be a bit firmer on normal surfaces and much tighter in the turns - and that's a good thing. :D :D smile.gif

[cwally]

My springs should be coming in this week. I am pumped. Don't know exactly when I will be installing them but I will keep you posted. Also I dropped my car off this morning to start on the stereo. I am getting the Kenwood KVT dvd player installed in the front and then Focal Utopias for the front doors and Focal Poly glass for the rears. I got 2 Zapco AG360 amps for the speakers. It shoudl be ready within a couple of days. They are also going to take measurements of the center armrest in the middle row so that they can build a box with the woofer in it. Just low on $$$ tongue.gif Keep you guys updated. :D

[Aviator]

Now you have me excited. Get some good measurements at all 4 wheel wells so we can get a feel for the amount of drop you achieved. smile.gif For me - 2" front and 4" rear drop would be nice.

Also please let us know how much adjustment they had to make in the alignment. Your's will looke like a million bucks with those wheels and a lower stance. :D :D

[thafoot]

cwally, can you let me know how the ride is on your aviator after you put on the rims? (before you drop it) i'm trying to decide if i want to put 20s on mine, but i don't want to lose ALOT of the comfort.

[cwally]

quote:Originally posted by thafoot:
[QB]cwally, can you let me know how the ride is on your aviator after you put on the rims? (before you drop it) QB]
I think the ride with the 22"s is not bad at all. I have had a couple people drive it, and they all say the same thing. They thought that it would be much stiffer. The Lincoln Dealer that I work at, sells Aviators on 20"s and the Navis on 22"s. The Aviator on 20"s rides great. You couldn't even tell the difference. Very comfortable ride.Let me know if you have any other questions.
As for my stereo, I got half of it put in. I had the head unit and all of the speakers in the doors and two Zapco amps. THey also dynamatted the doors. SOunds incredible. I will post a couple of pics of the install once I get my pictures back. :cool:

[thafoot]

thanks cwally.

do you happen to know the size tire that the dealer puts on the 20s? and what's the estimated milage on tires like that? i've been looking at i think 255/45 or 255/55, but not sure how long those would last. how far off is the odometer/speedometer with your 22s?

[cwally]

Jus thought I would post pics and show the mods that I have done to the car. Let me know what you think... :cool: http://www.suvworld.com/mygallery.asp?id=3650

[Aviator]

Looks Great. You are brave - Did you get your springs yet? :cool:

[Bill Murray]

Wally:
Great shots on your gallery. But, I seem to feel you have no shots of the vehicle with the lowered springs installed. La Verdad?

Where in the SD area are you? My dad lives in Oceanside and we get out that way 2-3 times a year. Might be nice to connect up if we could.
Bill

[cwally]

I haven't gotten the springs yet. i called Eibach and they said they had a first limited production run. So basically I have to wait till the end of june.

Oh and Bill I am in La Jolla and would be down to meet up when you are here... Jus lemme know... :cool:

[cwally]

Ok here is the scoop. After calling Eibach back, it "might" be longer. So I searched on the internet, and I found some other springs. They are Ground Force Lowering springs, and they have a 1.6" drop all the way around. They had them in stock, and I ordered them. It should only take about 1 week to get here. I still have the Eibachs on order jus in case they get here. I will keep you guys updated. :cool:

[cwally]

Ok so here is th deal. I got the springs in. I installed the fronts and they were fine. Then I had the rears installed, and they didn't fit. Turns out the srpings for the explorer are different. So I talked to thte parts guy where I sell Lincolns and I got a front and a rear spring. My friend is the main guy like for B&G Springs N.Amer. and he said that with those both he will be able to make a srping that is made for it.

[Aviator]

CWALLY - Thanks for the update. I hope your service manager is a real car nut like you. Makes it easier to experiment on things like this when everyone wants it to work.

Good luck on the new spring development and keep us informed. :D

[cwally]

Alright you guys. I am still waiting on the springs. They took measurements and some factory springs to them and they are in development. I am just sittin here waiting. The good news is, I am dropping of my car to get the sub box built. They are replacing the center console with 2 of the new 10" ID MAX woofers. I will be dropping it off on Monday and it should take about 5 days. Will post pics.