I'm thinking about the James Duff 2.5" lift. 90% of my driving is highway, and as much as I'd like to go with a 5.5", the 2.5" seems like a good compromise. Has anybody used this lift or have any advice?

Also, would that give me enough clearance for 31x10.5's on a 93?

Thanks!

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IKE
93 Explorer XLT
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I am currently running a 2.5" Duff Kit. I have just bought a 5.5" to replace it because I am going to keep the explorer for off-road only. the Duff Kit performed flawlessly on the road and off. It drove better than the stock suspension. I would recommend it to the weekend 4x4er who does alot of on road driving.

I too run the JD lift and have no complaints. The ride is excellent on the highway, however the height is a compromise. There have been times I wished for just an inch or so more wheel travel. Go back an run a search, I know that there was more info posted about two months back. As for the tire size you will have no problem. I am running 32x11.50 on the factory rims. The only rubbing I have noticed is on the dual shock hoop and the radius arms, both when the stearing is at its limits.

A 5.5" lift would be nice, but since 95% of my driving is on road, it is a compromise I could live with. Can you use stock-length shocks with the 2.5" lift?

Thanks for the replies!!!

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IKE
93 Explorer XLT
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Ike, James Duff includes shocks with their lift. You will find they offer a very affordable lift using quality parts. Check out their web site for a complete listing of parts for the Explorer at www.jamesduff.com. I did not verify if the shocks provided were the same length as the OEM.

For those with a JD 2.5" lift....

How is the steering without a longer pitman arm? Or did you find a longer one? What about the sway bars, did you buy extensions or leave the setup stock?

Cheers
Dale

Where can this lift be purchased? I am also looking for a lift about this size for my 91' explorer? How much does it cost? And can I fit 32's or just 31's with this lift?

Where can this lift be purchased? I am also looking for a lift about this size for my 91' explorer? How much does it cost? And can I fit 32's or just 31's with this lift?

Dale - I am still using the factory pitman arm, and I do not notice any problems with bump stear or the like. I opted for the dual shock setup by James Duff and removed the front sway bar entirely. This allowed me to adapt the sway bar mounts for use with the shocks. Body roll is more noticable, but still predictable. Just remember you are driving a lifted vehicle.

Wes - the lift is purchased directly from the manufacturer. Check out their web site: www.jamesduff.com for the info. You will have no trouble fitting those 32x11.50x15's. You will find that this lift is one of the best bargans on the market. I paid about $700 for the lift kit (includes shocks, springs, drop beam mounts, add-a-leaf, and shakles), dual front shock hoop (includes two additional shocks), stearing stabilizer (still not installed), and polyurethane bushings all around. You may want to upgrade the mounting hardware for the dual shock mounts to grade 8 bolts, but other than that the kit is excellent. Ride is better than stock, except the rear is a little stiff. I am now thinking of a Zimmerman mod for the rear springs.

Does anyone have pictures of their truck before and after the Duff lift? Just after would be fine too. I would like an idea of how much height is added.

Rick would you post a couple of pictures of the JD lift for these guy? I am sure you got some of my truck, besides it would be nice to see a few more photos of the Arch Canyon Run.

If you're willing to wait two weeks I'll have mine installed and I'll install some pictures on my web page...I'm also going to give a step by step review to rick for posting on the main page.
Mat

Here are some shots of Trace's Explorer.

http://www.4x4central.com/traceclmbsml.jpg

http://www.4x4central.com/tracedropsml.jpg

http://www.4x4central.com/tracehoopsml.jpg

I'm going to put together a feature page with Trace's Explorer at a latter date.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
www.4x4central.com (http://www.4x4central.com)

Have any of you heard of lifts for 98 XLT's?

Thanks Rick.
Remember the tire diameter provides the clearance for axel and differentials the lowest points on the vehicle. The lift allows for axel articulation, and it provides clearance for rocker panels. This lift allows me to fit the largest size tire I desired to run. The articulation is adaquate for the trails I am presently running, although more would be better. If you think you will be frequently venturing off to more extreme locations, you definately want to go to a taller lift. I have several other photos which I will get scanned and e-mail them to anyone requesting.

Thanks for the pictures Trace (co Rick!). Ill be looking forward to the "Trace page"! Its easy to see that there is a compromise in clearance. However, if the trucks main purpose is daily driving, the price of the Duff lift is perfect.

Trace,

That sounds good. E-mail me at:

ferber.matthew@mayo.edu

Maybe you said this before, but what size tires are you able to run?
Thanks!

Trace,

I see the tire size above. The factory rims will take tires that big? Good to know! If I were buying new rims, would larger rims be a good idea?

Hey guys,

I'm going to buy and install the Duff 2.5 soon on my 91 Explorer. I already have a skyjacker 1.5" lift. My question is to those who have the Duff lift, such as Todd and Trace. How do the Duff shocks compare to others such as Bilstiens? I am concerned that the Duff's are two mushy, as were the Monroes and Ranchos5000's I've had. I notice alot of peolpe who get the Duff lift also buy the dual shock hoop? Thanks, Jim Mazz

That Duff kit sounds like a great lift for an Exlporer. I was wondering if the lift can be installed at home. I consider myself a fairly advanced mechanic compared to most. Any cutting or welding involved?

I did the installation at home in my garage. Let me warn you, it will take alot of hours to remove the eight factory rivets located on the stock suspension. I used a both a die grinder and air hammer to remove the heads. Read through the strings dealing with replacement of radius arm bushings to get ideas on how to tackle this problem.

I have now logged nearly eight thousand miles in the last three months on the lift. It rides great. Last week while traveling with a heavy load in the rear, I noticed that the front end floated (ie. wandered) more than than I like. This was typical for the weight distribution, now how do I solve the problem?

OK - So maybe I'm responding just to get Rick to post some photos of my truck on this page!!

IKE, Dale, Wes, MJF, and any others interested - - don't discount the Rancho 2.5" lift kit. I have it and have been extremely pleased to date. It's pricey, but offers a few advantages over the Duff kit (my opinion). The kit comes with a dropped Pitman Arm, new (lengthened) front sway bar brackets, and extended Radius Arms (plus new springs, brackets, and add-a-leafs). Additionally, it has a frame support that (according to some) strengthens a known weak spot in the frame when lift kits are installed.
All told, about $800, which did not include the costs of shocks (or installation).
On the second day of the Arch Canyon Run we found a pretty good rock to double as a RTI ramp and I think the Rancho kit and my 31s did well... unfortunately Trace wasn't there to do a side-by-side comparison.

IKE, if you plan on 90% on-highway use, the best buy for buck is the Duff kit - - just be forewarned that you may get bit by the build-up bug that may have you questioning(like me) why you didn't ante up for the 4" lift kit so you could roll 33s like the Big Dogs...

OK, Rick - - How 'bout a few photos of my rig ? Undercarriage, RTI rock, dented rocker panel (on second thought, leave that one out...)

Paul,

Here is a picture of your truck. It doesn't really show the suspension, but it is a good shot.
www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253/paulsabin.jpg (http://www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253/paulsabin.jpg)

I am just putting the finishing touches on my write up on the trip and will have it posted to my web page this week.

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Paul Gagnon
www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253 (http://www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253)

Paul -


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Okay, I did NOT just fall asleep. Thanks for the photo. Great trip.... Packers are here today and tomorrow so I'll be logging off until we get our new residence established in Kansas.
Catch up with you in about a month...