Here are some pics of almost before and after. The before pics has the 31x10.5 with the torsion/shackles. The after has the 32x11.50 and more accessories.

Before....

http://www.geocities.com/northwestexplorers/OLD.jpg


After....

http://www.geocities.com/northwestexplorers/new2.jpg



[Edited by David99XLT on 08-22-2000 at 11:41 PM]

David, you've done a bunch since the last time I seen it. Looks great. Where did you get the roof rack and how much (if you don't mind)? Also, what did you do for a custom spare mount? When are we going to get together and go 4X'ing again?

David,
I have just registered with 4x4central.com so I am not sure how all of this works. Hopefully you will get this:

I have a 2000 4door Explorer XLT. I really like your vehicle and would like to know what products did you use to lift your vehicle. I have looked extensively for products and came up empty.

Also where did you purchase your rack and how big is it? What are the dimensions of the top lights and how did you wire them into your truck. Did you install an extra switch or attatch to other existing? And lastly do you know the total height of your truck?

Any of the following information would be extremely helpful. Because your truck ROCKS!

Thanks,
Rob
Rob2000XLT

David, that roof rack and grill guard looks good...REALLY GOOD! Way to go!!

David,

The Xplorer looks great.

In your before and after pics you state that the before pic has the 31'3 on but in the after pic it looks more like the 31's. Did I miss read it or do you have larger tires in the after pic.

Thanks for the response,
Alan
98 Xplorer

David, looks great! The chrome GG is a nice alternative to the black, which you see everywhere.

T-Bone

That looks like something I would put on mine. I Want light bars an both the front and back. Since I do a lot of trailering, I usually wind up dropping the trailer in the dark, and it would be nice to have some good lights in back to see what I am doing. I already have driving lamps on the roof of my trailer hooked up to the reverse lights of my truck so I can see where I am going when backing up, but CSS when unhooking it. :D I also like the idea of mount the spare on the roof, that would make room underneath for a water tank, or something else that I could use while trail riding.

I am a natural trail rider, I use REAL horsepower to ride the trails! LOL

Mike
Well I got the rack as a birthday gift so I'm not sure of the exact cost, but is was somewhere is the $300 range. As far as the spare tire mount, I didn't feel like paying $70 for the one you can buy, so I made one with some materials from Home Depot. Probably spent a total of $8.00. I'll show you sometime what I did. We definately need to get a run going in our area and sometime soon.

Rob2000XLT
The lift was done with shackles and the Explorer Pro Comp add-a-leaf, and the torsion twist. The rack is approximately 40x60. It is the Wilderness Rack from Garvin Industires. The lights that are on top in the picture are 5x7 but I will probably replace them with some 8" round ones. As for the wiring, I ran it along the rack to the back hatch and through the door jam back there. The switches are mounted in the center console where the tissue box goes. And as far as the total height of my explorer, that all depends on where you want me to measure from.

98 Xplorer
Sorry for the confusion, the first pic has 31x10.50x15 on it with the shackles and torsion twist. The second pic has the 32x11.50x15 on it with the modifications to the front bumper to make them fit.

I hope this answered the questions, if not just let me know.

Website for roof rack
www.garvin-industries.com

Hey David,
The truck looks great! I have a similar setup except for the fact that I have never gotten enough information on how to lift my 1997 XLT.

Where do you pick up the Add-a-leafs and if you do a torsion/add leaf/shackle lift, dosen't the rear sit a lot higher than the front? I would really appreciate any advice on where to get the parts and what to do so that I can lift my explorer!! Thank you


David

I got the add-a-leaf from a local shop. They are the Explorer Pro Comp. If you do a search you should be able to find out where to buy them online. As far as your question regarding the back sitting higher, that is not a problem since the Explorer has the natural rear end sag. Having both the shackles and add-a-leafs made the back end even with the front. I hope that helps.

[Edited by David99XLT on 08-25-2000 at 01:23 PM]

http://www.summitracing.com has the Explorer Pro Comp add-a-leafs, part number 13120 I believe. Hope this helps!:)

I found a set of add-a-leafs from there for around 40 bucks. I should be getting them shortly, I just received my floor mats and rear deflector from MacNeil today, I ordered them Tuesday.

David

I went to summitracing.com like someone else suggested for the add-a-leaf from Explorer Pro Comp and the closest they had was a short leaf that said it would fit:
Ford:
1983-97 Ranger, 2WD/4WD
1972-84 Courier, 2WD

Is this the lead you got and applied to your Explorer or is there another one that fits better? Oh, and what is done is a torsion twist? and what is involved.

For anyone who is interested the Part Number is EXP-13120. All of the other leafs seemed to big.
Thanks,
Rob2000XLT

That is the right one. Part#EXP-13120. If you do a search on the twist, you will find detailed instructions on the exact proceedures. It involves jack the vehicle and turning 2 bolts. It should take you less than 10 minutes to accomplish.

I got mine from Macromotive for about $42 including shipping.

I know this is off the subject, but I couldn't help but notice the house behind your explorer. Is that yours? It's really cool looking. I like the windows alot.Looks like something I would have built.

David,
What is the function/purpose of the shackles? Is the torsion twist only for leveling the ride?

Oh and the house design looks Northwestish, I'm a native Seattlite myself.

jeff

jf26-

torsion twist will raise/lower the front end, shackles will raise the rear. an add-a-leaf will accomplish the same thingy. these are minor lifts, 1 to 2 1/2".

t-bone

Anyone have an address for the torsion twist directions? I haven't been able to find anything through google.com.

Egan, the Google search at the bottom of the page is for the internet. If you look at the top of the page, you'll see a little "Search" icon that searches our website. Try that and you'll get a couple hundred hits on torsion lifts from this website.

FYI, if you go to the main page of this website you can click on "Explorer Tips". One of the tips is instructions on how to do the twist.

Hope that helped.

[Edited by GJarrett on 09-27-2000 at 01:49 PM]

I love those rims in the second picture! Can you tell me what kind they are and where you got them? Thanks!

~~95

David ,

I have a couple more questions about the tires and wheels on your truck. I have just finished the torsion bar lift and I need to make a decision on what size tires to mount.

The Center line Coronas you have I cannot find for sale anywhere on the internet are they still being manufactured?

What is the back spacing on them and are they 8" wide?

What size is the overall diameter are the 32"s?

Your truck looks great with the current set up and I would like to obtain the same tire size combination on mine. I am concerned that I will put tires on it that will look to big for the lift.

Thanks in advance for thr info,
Alan
98 Xplorer

They wheels I bought at Les Schwab. When I ordered them in April they said they were relatively new. If I recall correctly the backspacing was 5.5. I have just recently taken off the lift, remove the brush guard, removed the rack, and switched the 32's for some regular old 255/70/15. I was tired of not being able to fit in any parking garages around without having to remove the rack. At least I was able to fit in my garage. I went from a height of 7'2" to just under 6'. I also wanted to get a better ride since I drive a lot on the highway. So now I have a plain looking explorer with parts just laying in the garage.

David, sorry to here you had to take all the stuff off. Are you going to keep your parts or sell them off? We need to go out again and get some dirt on our rigs.

I will probably be selling most everything I had on it. I will be posting the items it the for sale forum when I get a chance.

Mike
I know you need some lights, I have 3 different sets that you might be interested in.

Let me know what you got and how much. Maybe we can work something out.

David,
Sorry about you having to downsize your explorer, but I am interested in the safari rack and the lights. If you were to estimate, how much would you want for the safari rack and lights?

Thanks,
Rob
Rob2000XLT

Originally posted by David99XLT
[b]Mike
Well I got the rack as a birthday gift so I'm not sure of the exact cost, but is was somewhere is the $300 range. As far as the spare tire mount, I didn't feel like paying $70 for the one you can buy, so I made one with some materials from Home Depot. Probably spent a total of $8.00. I'll show you sometime what I did. We definately need to get a run going in our area and sometime soon.


There are 2 types of roof racks that Explorer Express sells. One of them the Safari rack sells for $183.90 and measures about 40" wide X 50" long, and 5" high. Fits 91-00. The other one is basket thats for $199.95 and that measures 37" wide X 43.5" longX 4" high. Also fits 91-00.

Krzyboy2o

I'm the only guy who's asked about this but here goes..

I REALLY like the Explorer in the picture; kudos. Could you point me in the direction of where you got your grille gaurd? dadgum that thing looks good!

thanks

Originally posted by Krzyboy2o
Originally posted by David99XLT
Mike
Well I got the rack as a birthday gift so I'm not sure of the exact cost, but is was somewhere is the $300 range. As far as the spare tire mount, I didn't feel like paying $70 for the one you can buy, so I made one with some materials from Home Depot. Probably spent a total of $8.00. I'll show you sometime what I did. We definately need to get a run going in our area and sometime soon.


There are 2 types of roof racks that Explorer Express sells. One of them the Safari rack sells for $183.90 and measures about 40" wide X 50" long, and 5" high. Fits 91-00. The other one is basket thats for $199.95 and that measures 37" wide X 43.5" longX 4" high. Also fits 91-00.

Krzyboy2o

If that's a Garvin "Wilderness Rack", It's alot more than $300.00, and alot stronger than what Explorer Express sells.
The Garvin Rack Is the best on the market

A little slow to start, but better late then never ;)

David, I really like those lights you have in your safari rack. You said they were 5x7's, what brand and model are they? Thanks alot,

95ExplorerLtd