Lowering Springs Pros and Cons

rjacobs · Sep 5, 2021

It sounds like the Steeda spring rate is higher than the H&R spring rate.

Anybody know the actual rates? I dont think I have seen them posted anywhere.

I was hoping the H&R's were a higher rate than factory, but it sounds like maybe they arent...

Maybe I need to try to meet up with @pelotonracer2 and get a ride in his ST with the H&R springs before I decide.

pelotonracer2 · Sep 5, 2021

rjacobs said:

Are you in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area?

The H&Rs might be slightly stiffer, but since there is reduced shock travel due to the 1.7 inch lowering, it probably needs better, stiffer shock valving to better control the motions. I would say the difference is very noticeable between the Steeda and H&R springs.

rjacobs · Sep 5, 2021

pelotonracer2 said:

Yes, south of dallas about 30 miles... but not an issue to drive wherever to meet up. Would have to arrange later in the month since I am going on vacation this week for like 2 weeks.

And yea, losing 1.7" of travel is substantial. Doesnt need stiffer shock valving, needs shorter struts...

Hmm... now I am second guessing installing these H&R's and back to wondering if I should have gone with the Steeda's instead... Or maybe just stay factory as I am fairly happy with how the ST is handling with just the Steeda rear swaybar upgrade... just would like to be a little lower.

TMac · Sep 5, 2021

I'm waiting for coilovers. I'm sure they're on the way.

rjacobs · Sep 5, 2021

TMac said:

I have no clue what is going to come out for this ST as far as coilovers go but I am not holding my breath that they will be worth a shit. Just my experience with people making low volume coilovers(lets be honest, coilovers for the Explorer will be low volume). My guess is somebody is adapting i.e. welding the proper mounts on an off the shelf threaded body shock that is "close enough" for the spring rate required for the vehicle. MAYBE it will be single adjustable. It will likely be full of compromises because I dont know how many people will pony up 3-4k bucks for properly setup double adjustable coilovers...I know I wouldnt. I would love to see Fox or Ohlins come out with a coilover, but again, I doubt we will EVER see that for this vehicle.

I would love Bilstein to come out with a B8 strut for the Explorer. The B8's are generally designed for 1-1.5" lowered vehicles. Would be perfect paired with either H&R's or Steeda's.

zdubyadubya · Sep 5, 2021

rjacobs said:

I have no clue what is going to come out for this ST as far as coilovers go but I am not holding my breath that they will be worth a shit. Just my experience with people making low volume coilovers(lets be honest, coilovers for the Explorer will be low volume). My guess is somebody is adapting i.e. welding the proper mounts on an off the shelf threaded body shock that is "close enough" for the spring rate required for the vehicle. MAYBE it will be single adjustable. It will likely be full of compromises because I dont know how many people will pony up 3-4k bucks for properly setup double adjustable coilovers...I know I wouldnt. I would love to see Fox or Ohlins come out with a coilover, but again, I doubt we will EVER see that for this vehicle.

I would love Bilstein to come out with a B8 strut for the Explorer. The B8's are generally designed for 1-1.5" lowered vehicles. Would be perfect paired with either H&R's or Steeda's.

I agree 100%. I would much rather spend money on a set of B8s than actual coilovers--thats really all this SUV needs is a good set of struts.

F=MA · Nov 28, 2021

Very good info. I have the H&R springs but somedays I wouldn't mind the more rakish Steeda. I am aware that both can emulate each other and there can be not much difference, i.e sag rates.

Dark Knight · Nov 28, 2021

got the Steeda springs and sway bar, stiffest setting, doesnt seem a whole lot lower , handles more neutral than a Porsche Macan with this set up, better feel than a base Macan or Cayenne, GTS or turbos handle a bit more precisely and bit more refined

Rocketw19 · May 31, 2022

rjacobs said:

I do not have spring but I am waiting for more info before I decide for this exact reason. I lean to HR but then I remind myself I am going to pull my cars behind it and go back to steeda.
If I had HRs I would def install them though.

nzaf985 · May 31, 2022

rjacobs said:

Yes, south of dallas about 30 miles... but not an issue to drive wherever to meet up. Would have to arrange later in the month since I am going on vacation this week for like 2 weeks.

And yea, losing 1.7" of travel is substantial. Doesnt need stiffer shock valving, needs shorter struts...

Hmm... now I am second guessing installing these H&R's and back to wondering if I should have gone with the Steeda's instead... Or maybe just stay factory as I am fairly happy with how the ST is handling with just the Steeda rear swaybar upgrade... just would like to be a little lower.

If you want to offload those H&R's let me know I'm looking for a set.

JRizzle · Jul 1, 2022

If you're going H&R do thorough research on your stock setup first. I had the springs installed and ended up needing rear camshaft bolts installed to get camber to -1.3° is closest they could get it in the rear. The first shop was local and I'll never use them again and second time took to ford dealership. I argued about slotting the rear with both shops but my 21' apparently isn't equipped with this capability. Ended up paying 375 for springs almost 600 for install and alignment with first shop and then 100 for the camshaft bolts and another almost 500 for those to be installed and realigned. I'd have left it alone if I knew what kind of headache it would become and the cost I would incur. There is a thread that mentions it and @UNBROKEN explains it a little better than I can. Do yourself a favor and go to Ford the first time. My local Lufkin TX shop wasn't able to quite get it right

nzaf985 · Jul 1, 2022

JRizzle said:

If you're going H&R do thorough research on your stock setup first. I had the springs installed and ended up needing rear camshaft bolts installed to get camber to -1.3° is closest they could get it in the rear. The first shop was local and I'll never use them again and second time took to ford dealership. I argued about slotting the rear with both shops but my 21' apparently isn't equipped with this capability. Ended up paying 375 for springs almost 600 for install and alignment with first shop and then 100 for the camshaft bolts and another almost 500 for those to be installed and realigned. I'd have left it alone if I knew what kind of headache it would become and the cost I would incur. There is a thread that mentions it and @UNBROKEN explains it a little better than I can. Do yourself a favor and go to Ford the first time. My local Lufkin TX shop wasn't able to quite get it right

There is absolutely no need for camshaft bolts with H&Rs. Find a better shop.

JRizzle · Jul 1, 2022

nzaf985 said:

Trust me when I say I tried. Can't find good help these days. Anyone within reasonable distance of Lufkin, TX that can get this done right let me know. I'd be willing to entertain a shop visit to show the other 2 shops they were wrong. Always up for paying people with knowledge and work ethic

SimonsGTS · Jul 1, 2022

JRizzle said:

I went to two local Ford dealers and they both told me that it would need camber bolts. I ordered them and went to install them myself and noticed there was plenty of adjustment from Ford available. So I used a bubble gauge to set the camber then took it to Les Schwab to adjust the toe and it's within factory specs, no camber boltrs needed.

AtlasBlue2022 · Aug 11, 2022

I know I’m chiming in a bit late here but another thing to consider is if you end up trading in or selling in your vehicle to a stealership, Carvana, etc… they want to know if the suspension was altered or changed. Dunno if that lowers the amount they will pay if it is or not. I sold our minivan and went through multiple companies when deciding who to sell to, and they all asked about it.

nzaf985 · Aug 11, 2022

AtlasBlue2022 said:

I sold my Grand Cherokee to vroom with aftermarket air ride system installed. Bagged on airflift 3p system and they gave me a very good trade in even with that question answered yes. But yes definitely something a normal dealer might not like!

Loving the ride on my explorer that’s on 24’s and H&R lowering springs.

roxbury29 · Aug 29, 2022

Anyone here compared these to Ford Performance Springs? Stock height on the ST just needs to come down a little. Was leaning toward Steeda myself.

UNBROKEN · Aug 29, 2022

All Ford does is rebrand someone else’s stuff so they’re either Steeda or H&R with a new box and likely higher price.

roxbury29 · Aug 29, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

^ thanks . Maybe I was seeing things on the internet. I thought it was a 1", might have been Steeda.
I am going to check a few local shops on pricing if they are reasonable that will be my next mod !

Blown F-150 · Aug 29, 2022

UNBROKEN said:

They are re-branded Steeda springs.

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