Tire Help?

[Kentucky Renegade]

OK Fella's,

I'm looking to turn my stock 94 XLT family grocery getter into my hunting vehicle. It has around 93,000 on it now and the second set of shocks are pretty much worn out. What is the minimum I need to do to run a set of 31" tires without fear of them rubbing. Most places I go by the way are fairly improved gravel roads. I am on a budget so I need to thing reasonable here, but I don't want to sacrifice durability either. What benefits will replacing the body bushings and such provide me? All responses are welcome. Thanks!

[Todd]

Well, there is not a very definitive answer to your inquiry. The problem lies in the fact that some Explorers can run 31's right out of the box, while others require modification. Take for example, my explorer, I had very, very slight rubbing when I switched to 31's without any suspension modification. I did not like any rubbing at all, so I decided that it was time to modify. All that I did was put a 1.5" add-a-leaf in the rear and a 1" coil spacer up front underneath the coils. Either way, it was not too difficult. Hope that this helps a little.
Take care and happy exploring!

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Todd Metzger
tmetz@umr.edu
'Off-Road and More!'
93 "Ford X 4" XLT

[Kentucky Renegade]

Todd,

Thanks for the information. What kit did you use to add the lift and about how much does it cost? I'm looking at keeping the cost down because I see an engine or maybe a transmission rebuild somewhere in the immediate future. I need to keep the extra money for the more serious repairs.

Thanks Again!

[Todd]

Well, I put the kit together myself. The 1" spacers were machined by a friend(for free) and the rear add-a-leafs were purchased separately for approximately $50. This is an OK fix to fit larger tires if that is all that you are trying to do. You must also remember that, by the adding the new leaf, the rear end is going to be much stiffer. So, you will have to live with it. Now, if you were wanting to purchase an actual kit, skyjacker provides a very affordable 1.5" lift that retails around $140. It comes with new front coils and a set of add-a-leafs for the rear. I was originally going to order this lift, but was dissauded by a tech at Rocky Mountain Suspension(granted, after a recent incident, I wouldn't trust them with my worst enemy's vehicle). The tech told me that it would become unalignable with that amount of lift. After I researched a little, I found several people on this board that are running this lift without a problem. So, I don't see too much of a problem. Alignment may still be an issue, but not too, too bad.
As for myself, I recently purchased a 2.5" lift from James Duff and can't wait to install it. I just have to get through the next 2-3 weeks and then up on the rack it is going.
Anyway, hope this helps a little. Take care and happy exploring!

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Todd Metzger
tmetz@umr.edu
'Off-Road and More!'
93 "Ford X 4" XLT

[j]

Todd is right on! Just go to your tire store and try ONE tire on the front end, then get that wheel up on a rock or tall curb and twist every way you can. If you don't rub, you fit. If you don't fit, go for a 1.5" lift...you always have to realign after anay lift, but let it settle in a couple of hundred miles first. Be sure you go to an alignment place that will make minor realignment follow-up for free within a month after doing it the first time. Replace your shocks if you need to (the cheapest good ones are NAPA Sens-tracs (the same as the Monroes, rebadged and just less $$$). Watch for shimmy....that will call for a front stabilizer shock, about $50 installed. Hapy hunting.

[Kentucky Renegade]

Thanks Everyone! I appreciate the advise. Wish me luck!

[Mando]

Todd:
Would you provide me the specs of your coil spacers? I can also get them machined for free, but I need the specs.
Thanks,
Mando