2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer -- Need more Power!!

For starters you buy a K&N air filter. That will give you a couple hp. MSD ignition system is a good idea. but very expensive.

I never heard of that type of air bag that inflates when weight is added. So I cant help you there.

The lamps shouldnt be that difficult. But always expect obsticles.

I had a 2000 XLS which was really fun. Only 4 liter v6 though. Start with intake and Exhaust if you can find a store locally that has a bolt on system.

Only place I every found airbags to help with weight was Autozone.
They were not auto leveling but I bet if you look for a kit you will find one.

Screw HID just get the best quality bulb you can and adjust it up a hair, it will light up the way just the same.....

That's just my two cents

hahahahaMy bad I thought you meant airbag for accidents.

Anthony,

A few thoughts. Adding a few horsepower is not going to grenade your motor, but it will increase the wear rate of bearings, rings, cam, etc. Top Fuel Dragsters basically rebuild the engine after every round because of the insane horsepower they produce. If you want the motor to live as long as possible, don't increase HP. If you don't mind shaving a few miles off it's useful life, go ahead.

Next, do a realistic assessment of what you have. A compression test will tell you a lot. If you have low compression overall, or figures that vary widely from cylinder to cylinder, then you have lost HP due to normal engine wear and it would be pointless to hope for much gain through mods or tuning. Can't polish a turd, as they say. A motor with worn valves or rings may have lost 30% or more of the factory rated HP.

Also, maximize what you have. Keep the air filter clean (or install a low restriction element as Ara suggests). New platinum plugs, new plug wires (unless your motor has direct coil-on-plug, I can't remember). Keep tires at proper pressure, have the alignment checked. Fuel filter. Most folks are leaving 3-5 HP on the table due to lack of maintenance. It's not much, but some is better than none!

I don't know about air bags but don't they still make air shocks? I think your just looking to help with a few hundred pounds and they are just bolt on replacements for shocks the can be adjusted inside the vehicle. As for more horsepower, it is always a tradeoff somewhere. Lower fuel mileage, faster wear on the engine and transmission. Come to think of it however.... The last year the 5.0 engine was produced was 96. Earlier in some vehicles. either way if you have a v-8 engine then you should have plenty of horsepower. I would focus on maintenance. New plugs, new wires, new everything that is tune up related. Finally make sure your cat is not pluged. That can be a huge power loss. As for your headlights it most likely is not your bulbs but your headlights plastic fogging over. Go on ebay and buy new ones. I have a 2000 mustang and new headlights made a world of difference. Plus it will look good too. I paid 140 ish for 2.

Oh yeah, speaking of maintenance, I forgot to mention oxygen sensor(s). If you have not replaced them (V8's usually have 2 to 4) for at least 60,000 miles, you can regain a lot of pep and drivability by installing new.

As they wear or get fouled, they gradually fool the ECM (computer) into providing an air/fuel mixture that is slightly off.

No need to replace the one(s) after the cats, as they only provide indication of whether the cats are working or not. They don't have a say in setting the mixture. Unless they get bad enough to throw a code (check engine light comes on), no worries.

The two nearest the engine, usually on or just after the exhaust manifolds are the ones to change.

K and N cold air intake setup have on my 97 Ram 1500 4 x4 w/ 5.9 didn't increase mileage the way they said but nice power difference truck 177,000 miles

Take the motor out and drop in a SMALL BLOCK CHEVY lolol that always works for me hehe. sorry Ford guys

Hi Anthony

Search E bay for air spring(s) or a brand to look for is Coil-Right. They are made by Firestone. You can get rather inexpensively, a setup that is manually adjusted for about $90 or they also manufacture the control components to do it automatically. I have installed a set on a Ford Windstar that Nick Nellos mounted a 2036 TM system into. They made a huge difference in my case as I am set up with 50 gals. of supply and recovery capacity. Good luck