• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Steel City Mods?

Messages
2
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Pittsburgh PA
Vehicle
2025 Explorer ST
#1
Hi All, new to the group. Just picked up a new 2025 Explorer ST this past Monday. Super stoked!!!

1) Seems as though one of the top recommended mods is a performance intercooler. What are folks thinking about the Whipple? Or, what others and why?
2) Have any Pittsburgh, PA peeps had this done recently? If so, where & do you recommend them?

Also, looking into the basics like a strut tower brace, rear sway bar & rear diff brace. Welcome to recommendations here as well.

Thank you!
 

Messages
381
Reactions
396
Points
67
Location
Michigan
#3
Many people on this forum have went with CV Fab intercoolers (including myself). Any brand seems to perform nearly the same so brand loyalty isn't very importand IMO.

Strut braces are really cosmetic only on the Explorer ST. They have been discussed many times on this forum. Many people ugrade the swaybar and seem to like it so that's probabubly a good buy.

I added a AWR diff brace to my 25' and also added a JXB bushing insert and new 12.9, M14 X 2.0 X 130mm bushing bolt. The Steeda diff brace is good as well but it is $$$.
 

George M

New Member
U.S. Army Veteran
Law Enforcement
Messages
22
Reactions
12
Points
2
Location
Painesville, OH
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
#4
I also second the CVFab IC. It works just as well as the others but it's not super expensive compared to the others.
 

Messages
38
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Vehicle
2x 2023 Explorer STs
#5
I have the CVFab intercooler on both of our STs. They are fantastic. No complaints.
 

Messages
402
Reactions
374
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#6
Get a CVFab intercooler, AFE Rear swap bar, ID.Speed rear diff brace, JXB Diff Bushing Inserts, upgraded diff bolt, and Steeda or Fenfab Subframe Bushing inserts. Do these mods from these brands, then see where you want to go from there. The intercooler is a bit of work so you can do that any time, but all the other items are cheap and super easy to install in your driveway. Those should be the first things you do.
 

Messages
1,913
Reactions
891
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#7
Hi All, new to the group. Just picked up a new 2025 Explorer ST this past Monday. Super stoked!!!

1) Seems as though one of the top recommended mods is a performance intercooler. What are folks thinking about the Whipple? Or, what others and why?
2) Have any Pittsburgh, PA peeps had this done recently? If so, where & do you recommend them?

Also, looking into the basics like a strut tower brace, rear sway bar & rear diff brace. Welcome to recommendations here as well.

Thank you!
The Whipple unit is a lot more expensive than offerings from CV-Fab or CP-E and they perform the same. Strut towers are just for show. I detail all the parts on my modding guide:

https://explorerst.wordpress.com/2025/03/13/explorer-st-modding-guide/
 

OP
P
Messages
2
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Pittsburgh PA
Vehicle
2025 Explorer ST
Thread Starter #8
Get a CVFab intercooler, AFE Rear swap bar, ID.Speed rear diff brace, JXB Diff Bushing Inserts, upgraded diff bolt, and Steeda or Fenfab Subframe Bushing inserts. Do these mods from these brands, then see where you want to go from there. The intercooler is a bit of work so you can do that any time, but all the other items are cheap and super easy to install in your driveway. Those should be the first things you do.
I appreciate all of your input! As for the diff brace, why do you prefer the ID.Speed over say AWR or the DX (which is pretty similar and less expensive)? Thanks
 

Messages
1,913
Reactions
891
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#9
I appreciate all of your input! As for the diff brace, why do you prefer the ID.Speed over say AWR or the DX (which is pretty similar and less expensive)? Thanks
The ID-Speed is built to minick the 2-bolt rear end. The AWR helps, but has a weird torsional effect that I don’t like and puts more stress on the 2nd bolt (if you have the 2-bolt rearend) or put the rear differential at an odd angle (if you have the 1-bolt rear end).
 

Messages
402
Reactions
374
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#10
I appreciate all of your input! As for the diff brace, why do you prefer the ID.Speed over say AWR or the DX (which is pretty similar and less expensive)? Thanks
Exactly what 2020FordRaptor said. The way the IDSpeed brace always the diff to still move, like it would with a 2-bolt, is the best setup on the market.
 



Top