solved the shock issue...ended up using 1998 ford ranger 2wd shocks...after careful measuring they seem to fit the bill...the set up works well with no bind...
I hope that helped you out, I had to do that once when I lowered an old truck and no one made a specific shock for what I had. Looks good in there and it ought to be plenty stout considering they should have taken into account that the ranger would haul stuff from time to time.
Yes it did..I am surprised others haven't used the explorer shock brackets...maybe it didn't get seen by those folks...the car should corner well...