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Good News for Ford Explorer Owners

20 September 2000

Good News for Ford Explorer Owners

    RICHMOND, Calif., Sept. 19 Thousands of Ford Explorer
owners have chosen a pro-active approach to improve the safety margin of their
Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles.  In an effort to upgrade overall
handling and provide a more enjoyable and safer driving experience, these
drivers have installed aftermarket suspension products.
    Aftermarket products (not sold by new vehicle manufacturers) offer a whole
new approach to the inherent roll and pitch characteristics of 'top heavy'
sport utility vehicles....they fix it!
    It's common knowledge that a lower center of gravity produces more stable
and thus safer cornering conditions.  This upgrade is readily available by
installing a properly designed 'bolt-on' lowering system....with no harsh ride
effects.  When combined with performance shock absorbers, heavy duty sway
bars, and upgraded tires...the Ford Explorer delivers a more enjoyable and
safer driving experience.
    There's a reason the Ford Explorer is the most popular selling sport
utility vehicle...buyers are impressed by the excellent utility, comfort, and
off road capability.  Built-in high suspension travel and ride-height offers
'good' ride quality (defined as a soft, non-jarring ride) for both highway and
off road driving.
    It's no secret that the overwhelming majority of Ford Explorer owners
never drive off road.  These are the drivers who willingly trade the off road
capability for a safer, more controlled highway ride.
    One company, Explorer Express in Richmond CA, offers a specially tuned
handling package for the highway-only driver.  According to the general
manager, Dave Vanek, "our suspension kit won't turn you into Mario Andretti,
but it'll make the average Explorer driver more comfortable, especially when
traffic or road conditions require dramatic inputs to steering or brakes.  The
eerie pitching and roll motions are virtually eliminated and Explorers are
more stable conditions under hard braking."
    The $800-$900 (depending on year) Explorer Express X-SPEC handling package
includes a lowering kit, specially tuned Edelbrock shock absorbers, beefier
sway bars and has been tested by leading experts in the field.
    Matt Stone, executive editor of Motor Trend Magazine, wrote "perhaps the
most impressive is how downright 'easy-to-live with' the Explorer Express
vehicle is.  Definite measurable improvements are achieved in every
performance aspect, yet the ride feels no harsher than stock.  The float and
wallow, so common to stock SUV's, is gone and the steering feel and response
are much better.  It's clear the components in the Explorer Express X-SPEC
package work well together in a very balanced manner."
    Famous race driver and leading performance driving school owner, Bob
Bondurant, reported after a recent highway and track test, "I was
surprised...On the racetrack, the Explorer Express equipped SUV is just as
quick as our Mustang GT's.  The handling is excellent and turn-in is excellent
too.  The vehicle is neutral, predictable, and forgiving at the limit."
    Vanek added, "no way is the Ford Explorer an unsafe vehicle.  It's
designed to meet a great many consumer demands, both on and off road...with
our 'open road/highway only' suspension kits, we zero in on this specific
driving situation for greater safety and driving pleasure."