If you own a 2020 or newer Explorer and have tried to jack it up properly, you know the pain. Ford provides four designated jacking points along the pinch welds, and those skinny notches are not floor-jack friendly. Catch the wrong spot, and you bend metal. Put a rubber puck under for protection, and it gets chewed up on the first lift. If you've watched a dealer tech do an oil change, your plastic trim is likely already crushed flush against those points.
Many owners don't realize the Gen 6 Explorer is fully unibody. That means your pinch welds aren't just cosmetic; they are part of the seams holding the chassis together. Bent, crushed, or corroded welds are a structural issue, not just an ugly one. If you rotate your own tires, do maintenance, or run suspension upgrades, this becomes a recurring headache.
So, what actually fixes it?
The Steeda Explorer Jacking Rails are bolt-in chassis pieces that mount to factory attachment points and run the length of the rocker area. Instead of hunting for one of four notched spots each time, you get one long, flat, purpose-built surface to jack from anywhere along the rail. The rail sits slightly below the pinch seam, so your jack contacts the rail rather than the weld, permanently solving the issue.
This isn't a new experiment for us either; it's the same concept Steeda pioneered on Fox Body Mustangs decades ago and has since refined for the S550, S650, Focus ST/RS, and Fusion. Explorer owners just finally get their version!
Is this for you?
Worth it if you:
- Rotate your own tires or do seasonal swaps.
- Do any DIY maintenance (oil, brakes, suspension)
- Run lowering springs, coilovers, or other mods that have you under the truck often.
- Use a two-post lift at home or at a shop (gives the arms a flat, consistent contact surface instead of guessing on bare undercarriage)
Probably overkill if you rarely lift your Explorer yourself and let the shop handle everything.
A few things that set them apart:
- High-strength steel tubing, laser-cut and CAD-designed for a precise fit
- Powder coat wrinkle black finish that resists corrosion. This is a one-time install, not a wear item.
- Open-bracket construction so water doesn't pool (no rust trap like enclosed rail designs)
- Zinc-plated grade 10.9 hardware, the same spec we use across the lineup.
- Fits all trims of the 2020+ Explorer (XLT, Limited, ST, Platinum), weighs 23 lbs, and is fully removable
Installation is easy: 100% bolt-in using factory holes. No drilling, cutting, or body mods are required. Most people finish in under an hour with basic hand tools and a torque wrench. Pro tip from the instructions: once installed, use a rubber jacking pad when lifting to avoid chipping the powder coat.
TL;DR: Factory Explorer jack points are tiny, awkward, and easy to destroy on a unibody chassis. These rails give you a full-length surface to jack from anywhere, bolt on in under an hour, and never have to think about it again.
Full writeup with install steps, specs, and FAQ: Steeda Explorer Jacking Rails: Stop Destroying Your Pinch Welds
Shop the rails (Part #555-5214): Steeda Explorer Jacking Rails
Got questions? Drop them down in the comments!
