Ford Expedition Mechanical Rear Load-Leveling Suspension

[fugawi]

Hello -

I am looking at new Expeditions. Is anyone familiar with the factory option "Mechanical Rear Load-Leveling Suspension"?

How does it work?

Is it worthwhile?

Is it better to get an Expedition without it and use a 3rd party alternative?

Thank you.

[fugawi]

intheburbs wrote:
It appears Ford is using self-leveling shocks like Nivomat. It's a completely self-contained unit with no additional external hardware needed.

I had a similar setup on my 2001 Suburban with the ZW7 Premium Smooth Ride Suspension.

It's a great shock, works as advertised, but expensive to replace. IIRC, I paid $357 a piece for replacements.

The upside is that it keeps you level, regardless of load. The downside is that you're more prone to overloading, since there's no sag to the rear end. I'm really surprised these haven't been picked up by more manufacturers.

Click here for more info.

Thanks very much! Appreciate the info and the link.

[Fast_Mopar]

intheburbs wrote:
It appears Ford is using self-leveling shocks like Nivomat. It's a completely self-contained unit with no additional external hardware needed.

I think this is correct. Thanks for the link. I had never heard of this referred to as a mechanical load level device, but this is probably what Ford uses. Chrysler used this same shock on vans with the trailer tow package.

Interesting here that most of the responders here were quick to bring up WDH, but actually the OP never made a reference to WDH at all. When you use a vehicle as a daily driver during the 90-95% of the time when you are not towing, having a level vehicle can be a good thing. That's why I have Timbrens on my old Ford van.

[intheburbs]

It appears Ford is using self-leveling shocks like Nivomat. It's a completely self-contained unit with no additional external hardware needed.

I had a similar setup on my 2001 Suburban with the ZW7 Premium Smooth Ride Suspension.

It's a great shock, works as advertised, but expensive to replace. IIRC, I paid $357 a piece for replacements.

The upside is that it keeps you level, regardless of load. The downside is that you're more prone to overloading, since there's no sag to the rear end. I'm really surprised these haven't been picked up by more manufacturers.

Click here for more info.

[fugawi]

Thank you both. Can anyone explain how the "mechanical" system works? I understand the air systems, but not the "mechanical".

[Terryallan]

Had a Expe. It had the air ride leveling system. You still have to use a WDH. And if it is still air operated. The instructions went like this.
Take it, and the TT somewhere level. Unhook the TT. Let the Expe level itself. Turn off the leveling system. BEFORE it has time to lower itself. Lower the TT back onto the ball. Then adjust the hitch as normal. After youe are done. Turn the system back on. You never need to turn it off again.

[fx2tom]

Ken is right. Think of it as the equivalent to air bags, not a WDH alternative.

[TXiceman]

The load leveling suspension does not replace a proper weight distributing hitch. All the Ford system does is to get the truck back to near level. A W/D hitch transfers some of the hitch weight to the trucks front tires and some to the trailer tires.

Ken