Upgrade Advice

[Blkbyrd]

I am getting ready to start doing some upgrades as the weather improves. I was going to post a list and see if you guys had any advice or thought it looked pretty solid. Let me know if any of these parts aren't worth the money, or if there are better options. Also, if there is anything else you can think of to beef it up. I'm not looking to take it to the bleeding edge, I just want a little more pep and to toughen up what is known to be problematic.

Timberline Skid Plate
Steeda Strut Brace
Steeda Rear Diff Brace
JXB Driveshaft Carrier
AWE 3" Touring Exhaust
S&B CAI
HKS Blowoff
Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan
Wagner IC
Ford Performance Tune (Warranty reasons)

I'm also thinking about the Steeda subframe bushing kit and rear sway bar but I'm worried about it being outside of my capabilities. Thank you for any advice!

 

[GearHead_1]

Perhaps the best performance upgrade I have made is the rear Steeda sway bar. I'd suspect most people would be able to do this without much trouble. Steeda's differential brace will take about the same amount of time as the rear sway bar, difficulty factor is about the same too. Don't sell yourself short. The sub-frame busings are slightly more involved, but truly not difficult and a noticeable improvement.

The strut brace won't buy you performance benefits, but if you're going for aesthetics, by all means. I'd probably hold off on the driveshaft carrier, there might be other places to use those funds. If you haven't looked at Thermal R&D's exhaust, it might be worth a comparison to the AWE. Their product is very nice and includes the flex pipes, Ford's OE flex pipes are a known weak link, getting them off is a good thing.

 

[Blkbyrd]

Do you already have an after market rear sway bar?

I do not. My Explorer is absolutely stock outside of tint.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Timberline Skid Plate…good mod.
Steeda Strut Brace…cosmetic only.
Steeda Rear Diff Brace…have had issues. I’d Speed is a superior part.
JXB Driveshaft Carrier…no need on a basic car.
AWE 3" Touring Exhaust…solid choice.
S&B CAI…also solid choice.
HKS Blowoff…another solid choice.
Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan…no real need but if you want it…
Wagner IC…look at CV Fab
Ford Performance Tune (Warranty reasons)

 

[GearHead_1]

I do not. My Explorer is absolutely stock outside of tint.

You want an aftermarket sway bar.

 

[Blkbyrd]

Timberline Skid Plate…good mod.
Steeda Strut Brace…cosmetic only.
Steeda Rear Diff Brace…have had issues. I’d Speed is a superior part.
JXB Driveshaft Carrier…no need on a basic car.
AWE 3" Touring Exhaust…solid choice.
S&B CAI…also solid choice.
HKS Blowoff…another solid choice.
Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan…no real need but if you want it…
Wagner IC…look at CV Fab
Ford Performance Tune (Warranty reasons)

Are any of the strut braces worth it or is it pointless on these vehicles? Also, just curious why CV Fab over Wagner? I like the price point of the Wagner of course, but I want good parts. I was tempted by the Whipple as well.

 

[Blkbyrd]

You want an aftermarket sway bar.

Can you elaborate why? I'm definitely thinking about it, but it and the subframe bushings look like a pretty big job that I am likely going to have to have a shop do.

 

[GearHead_1]

Can you elaborate why? I'm definitely thinking about it, but it and the subframe bushings look like a pretty big job that I am likely going to have to have a shop do.

It is truly an upgrade that you will notice and appreciate as a performance improvement. Do you have access to a jack and jack stands, and do you have a basic set of hand tools? I would never suggest a person attempt something where they feel like they are in over their heads, but this is not a hard one. The right tools are the key to any DIY job.

The sub-frame bushings are somewhat more involved, but they are not difficult. Try the sway bar and get your confidence up, then take a look at the sub-frame busings.

 

[Blkbyrd]

It is truly an upgrade that you will notice and appreciate as a performance improvement. Do you have access to a jack and jack stands, and do you have a basic set of hand tools? I would never suggest a person attempt something where they feel like they are in over their heads, but this is not a hard one.

I do and I've been an aviation technician and instructor for nearly 15 years. I just don't want to get in over my head on a car that I have to daily. Being a mechanic for so long has taught me to be overly cautious of jobs that appear to be easy Are the subframe bushings reasonable to do in the garage as well?

 

[GearHead_1]

With that background, you'll be just fine. I'm not pulling your leg, the sway bar is not difficult. As long as you can get the wheels off, these will be within your wheelhouse. Some have done the subframe bushings with the wheels on, but I'd say having the off makes it easier.

The intercooler may test you a bit, but if you have a second pair of hands and perhaps 4 hours, you can do this too.

 

[UNBROKEN]

RSB and subframe bushings are a 1 on a 1-10 scale. Both extremely easy modifications.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I am getting ready to start doing some upgrades as the weather improves. I was going to post a list and see if you guys had any advice or thought it looked pretty solid. Let me know if any of these parts aren't worth the money, or if there are better options. Also, if there is anything else you can think of to beef it up. I'm not looking to take it to the bleeding edge, I just want a little more pep and to toughen up what is known to be problematic.

Timberline Skid Plate
Steeda Strut Brace
Steeda Rear Diff Brace
JXB Driveshaft Carrier
AWE 3" Touring Exhaust
S&B CAI
HKS Blowoff
Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan
Wagner IC
Ford Performance Tune (Warranty reasons)

I'm also thinking about the Steeda subframe bushing kit and rear sway bar but I'm worried about it being outside of my capabilities. Thank you for any advice!

I detail all these parts in my modding guide
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/explorer-st-modding-101-guide.7324/

But to detail:

Timberline Skid Plate….good

Steeda Strut Brace…only for looks and I’d get the Houston Speed Freaks unit as it looks better and you support a ST small business that actually cares about their costumers

Steeda Rear Diff Brace: Get the ID-speed unit as it is far superior and doesn’t have problems like the Steeda unit

JXB Driveshaft Carrier…good but only if you launch a lot

AWE 3" Touring Exhaust…very good, you’ll love it

S&B CAI: For looks only, and if you like intake noise, get the Fenfab intake as it will actually make bouse

HKS Blowoff: if blow off sounds are you thing good

Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan: eh if that’s how you want to spend your money, not bad

Wagner IC: any IC performs the same, and a lot better then stock unit

Now the Ford Performance Tune is where I will say don’t do it. It only retains the 3/36k warranty and after that, even with an ESP, is considered an aftermarket part that could void warranty. I’d just wait until you warranty is up, and go all the way with a ZFG tune.

As long as you have even a somewhat mechanical incline and can follow good YouTube videos like those by Houston Speed Freaks, you can do, a rear sway bar and subframe bushings and it will be a huge difference.

 

[Blkbyrd]

I detail all these parts in my modding guide
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/explorer-st-modding-101-guide.7324/

But to detail:

Timberline Skid Plate….good

Steeda Strut Brace…only for looks and I’d get the Houston Speed Freaks unit as it looks better and you support a ST small business that actually cares about their costumers

Steeda Rear Diff Brace: Get the ID-speed unit as it is far superior and doesn’t have problems like the Steeda unit

JXB Driveshaft Carrier…good but only if you launch a lot

AWE 3" Touring Exhaust…very good, you’ll love it

S&B CAI: For looks only, and if you like intake noise, get the Fenfab intake as it will actually make bouse

HKS Blowoff: if blow off sounds are you thing good

Mishimoto 10R60 Transmission Pan: eh if that’s how you want to spend your money, not bad

Wagner IC: any IC performs the same, and a lot better then stock unit

Now the Ford Performance Tune is where I will say don’t do it. It only retains the 3/36k warranty and after that, even with an ESP, is considered an aftermarket part that could void warranty. I’d just wait until you warranty is up, and go all the way with a ZFG tune.

As long as you have even a somewhat mechanical incline and can follow good YouTube videos like those by Houston Speed Freaks, you can do, a rear sway bar and subframe bushings and it will be a huge difference.

I found your guide right after I posted this. Sorry about that After reading it I think I'm am going to get the HSF skid plate instead and probably skip the strut brace since you all are saying it's pointless.

I really appreciate the advice. Allegedly after taking to Granger about the ESP and the Ford Performance tune they stated that the motor and trans would still be covered so long as I use that tune. That was the reason for it. I plan to get the 10y/100k warranty from them and cancel the garbage my dealer sold me as they are about half the price and a decent amount of additional coverage. I can wait until 100k and do the ZFG but I'm worried at that many miles the tune might be too much additional stress. Mine has already had the cam phasers replaced and only has 11k miles.

Do you think it is worth it to add the JXB Diff bushing kit if I go with the IDSpeed brace?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I found your guide right after I posted this. Sorry about that After reading it I think I'm am going to get the HSF skid plate instead and probably skip the strut brace since you all are saying it's pointless.

I really appreciate the advice. Allegedly after taking to Granger about the ESP and the Ford Performance tune they stated that the motor and trans would still be covered so long as I use that tune. That was the reason for it. I plan to get the 10y/100k warranty from them and cancel the garbage my dealer sold me as they are about half the price and a decent amount of additional coverage. I can wait until 100k and do the ZFG but I'm worried at that many miles the tune might be too much additional stress. Mine has already had the cam phasers replaced and only has 11k miles.

Do you think it is worth it to add the JXB Diff bushing kit if I go with the IDSpeed brace?

No, Ford will only cover the car if it’s within its 3/36k warranty, whatever the dealer is telling you doesn’t matter because they are not the ones that make the choice. I’ve seen a lot of people, look at @UNBROKEN who puts his through its paces very often, who have been running the ZFG tune for over 100k miles and are still going strong. I think if you’re not launching the car often, the driveshaft carrier might not be worth it.