My new 31x10.5 tires - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*MattHarrell* · 03-05-2003, 03:34 PM

I have new 31x10.5x15 BFG T/A KO's on there and really like them. Unfortunately I have some rubbing when I turn the wheel about 90% (enough to get around in a parking lot). While I have no problems trimming the inner fender I also seem to hit a little on the plastic piece that covers the sheet metal (no idea what to call it).

So, the questions:

Will this hurt the tires in the short term until I find a way to fix it?

Do I try to trim the plastic edging piece?

I have an add-a-leaf I haven't installed - does that only raise the back or will that help in the front somewhat too? I think the shackles only raise the front

And, I don't want a major lift so if I went with something like F-150 coil spacers then how hard are they to install and do they make the truck feel any less stable?

Thanks

**Alec** · 03-05-2003, 04:17 PM

Shackles and AAL are only for the rear. You mentioned the coil spacers, those are for the front.

Rubbing on plastic isn't bad, it's metal that will chew up the tires. However, try to fix the rubbing as much as possible as eventually you could chew things up too much.

*Felix* · 03-05-2003, 04:17 PM

The best idea is to leave the tuperware alone. If you cut the plastic it will make a sharp edge that you dont have now. The add-a-leaf you have will only help the back, so install it and then put a coil spacer in the front. Or you can call jcwhittney and get 1 1/2" lift coils same as the spacers. I have the spacers in my 92 4door and it handles just fine. Hope this helps.

Mark

*MattHarrell* · 03-05-2003, 04:22 PM

I've seen it posted elsewhere but never looked it up. Does tupperware refer to all the plastic fender piece?

How hard is the installation of either the coil spacer or lift coil relative to, say, an AAL? I've looked into AAL's pretty good so I understand how to do them. I'll have to dig around and look for the part number for the F-150 coil spacer.

*hvac man* · 03-06-2003, 11:46 PM

Just so happens I have some 1.5 in. coils for a X/ Navajo for sale if your interested. I used to run them with my 31-10.5's. I also have rancho shocks.

The coils are easier to install than the aal First time doing it you are looking at two hrs.

tools: Floor jack, two jack stands, lug wrench, and 1 1/8 in. wrench.

*ld50* · 03-06-2003, 11:53 PM

Mine rubbed a bit on the drivers side, I crawled under and drilled a hole in the inner plastic fender then pulled it back and zap strapped it to my body mount. Gave me just enough to lose the rub.

*MattHarrell* · 03-07-2003, 08:52 AM

ld50 - Interesting idea. I'll give that a try first and see if that solves everything. It certainly doesn't look like I need much more clearance so that might do the job fine

*Redrig* · 03-24-2003, 06:37 PM

so are lift coils the same as coil spacers? it seems like lift coils would be actual coils. is that correct?

**Alec** · 03-24-2003, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redrig
so are lift coils the same as coil spacers? it seems like lift coils would be actual coils. is that correct?

yes, you are correct. The spacers just lift the spring up from it's mount while new lift coils are designed with different lengths and springrates to provide lift.

*Lil Bo Peep* · 03-24-2003, 07:25 PM

Hvac Man I am interested in the Front coil spring spacers if you have them. How much would they cost me. Let me know okay. I'll send you a pm also.

*Redrig* · 03-24-2003, 10:42 PM

thanks alec , also ive been trying to figure out if buying aal and lift coils seperate is cheaper than the skyjacker 2" lift but i cant find the lift coils for a price. any idea on how much they are

*Felix* · 03-25-2003, 08:03 PM

you will have to call one of the supply stores ie 4wheel parts and ask how much they cost. or look in a jc whitney book they sell 1 1/2 and 2 inch lift coils also.

*Felix* · 03-25-2003, 08:03 PM

you will have to call one of the supply stores ie 4wheel parts and ask how much they cost. or look in a jc whitney book they sell 1 1/2 and 2 inch lift coils also.

*Redrig* · 03-25-2003, 08:06 PM

hey thanks for the info, but i already ordered the whole kit. figured that way id get all the right stuff. thanks again

*Felix* · 03-25-2003, 08:26 PM

Cool good luck on the install and dont forget the all important alignment.. post some pics when you get it all done

03-05-2003, 03:34 PM	#1
MattHarrell Elite Explorer Fort Valley, VA '99 XLT Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 247 Vehicle Specs	My new 31x10.5 tires I have new 31x10.5x15 BFG T/A KO's on there and really like them. Unfortunately I have some rubbing when I turn the wheel about 90% (enough to get around in a parking lot). While I have no problems trimming the inner fender I also seem to hit a little on the plastic piece that covers the sheet metal (no idea what to call it). So, the questions: Will this hurt the tires in the short term until I find a way to fix it? Do I try to trim the plastic edging piece? I have an add-a-leaf I haven't installed - does that only raise the back or will that help in the front somewhat too? I think the shackles only raise the front And, I don't want a major lift so if I went with something like F-150 coil spacers then how hard are they to install and do they make the truck feel any less stable? Thanks __________________ Matthew Harrell, KG4QXL '91 Navajo (DOA) '99 XLT

03-05-2003, 04:17 PM	#2
Alec Mod Emeritus Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,056 Vehicle Specs	Shackles and AAL are only for the rear. You mentioned the coil spacers, those are for the front. Rubbing on plastic isn't bad, it's metal that will chew up the tires. However, try to fix the rubbing as much as possible as eventually you could chew things up too much. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

03-05-2003, 04:22 PM	#4
MattHarrell Elite Explorer Fort Valley, VA '99 XLT Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 247 Vehicle Specs	I've seen it posted elsewhere but never looked it up. Does tupperware refer to all the plastic fender piece? How hard is the installation of either the coil spacer or lift coil relative to, say, an AAL? I've looked into AAL's pretty good so I understand how to do them. I'll have to dig around and look for the part number for the F-150 coil spacer. __________________ Matthew Harrell, KG4QXL '91 Navajo (DOA) '99 XLT

03-06-2003, 11:46 PM	#5
hvac man Elite Explorer Rifle, CO 93 Sport Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,076 Vehicle Specs	Just so happens I have some 1.5 in. coils for a X/ Navajo for sale if your interested. I used to run them with my 31-10.5's. I also have rancho shocks. The coils are easier to install than the aal First time doing it you are looking at two hrs. tools: Floor jack, two jack stands, lug wrench, and 1 1/8 in. wrench. __________________ Name: Clint Croy Location: Rifle, CO 93 Explorer 2-door with some mods 2004 Expedition Eddie Bauer

03-06-2003, 11:53 PM	#6
ld50 Oh, the money you`ll blow British Columbia 93 4 dr 4x4 manual XL. Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 4,161 Vehicle Specs	Mine rubbed a bit on the drivers side, I crawled under and drilled a hole in the inner plastic fender then pulled it back and zap strapped it to my body mount. Gave me just enough to lose the rub. __________________ Jim from BC - My Mugshot See me in Video! All My Mods And How I did Them

03-05-2003, 04:17 PM	#3
Felix Elite Explorer CherryPoint, NC 2006 F-150 XLT Super Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 806 Vehicle Specs	The best idea is to leave the tuperware alone. If you cut the plastic it will make a sharp edge that you dont have now. The add-a-leaf you have will only help the back, so install it and then put a coil spacer in the front. Or you can call jcwhittney and get 1 1/2" lift coils same as the spacers. I have the spacers in my 92 4door and it handles just fine. Hope this helps. Mark

03-07-2003, 08:52 AM	#7
MattHarrell Elite Explorer Fort Valley, VA '99 XLT Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 247 Vehicle Specs	ld50 - Interesting idea. I'll give that a try first and see if that solves everything. It certainly doesn't look like I need much more clearance so that might do the job fine __________________ Matthew Harrell, KG4QXL '91 Navajo (DOA) '99 XLT

03-24-2003, 06:37 PM	#8
Redrig Elite Explorer Gettysburg,PA 1997 Mountaineer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,113 Vehicle Specs	so are lift coils the same as coil spacers? it seems like lift coils would be actual coils. is that correct?

03-24-2003, 07:25 PM	#10
Lil Bo Peep Elite Sport Trac Lakewood, CO 2002 Sport Trac Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,848 Vehicle Specs	Hvac Man I am interested in the Front coil spring spacers if you have them. How much would they cost me. Let me know okay. I'll send you a pm also. __________________ My 2002 Sport trac. Updated Mug shot 2/12/09

03-24-2003, 10:42 PM	#11
Redrig Elite Explorer Gettysburg,PA 1997 Mountaineer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,113 Vehicle Specs	thanks alec , also ive been trying to figure out if buying aal and lift coils seperate is cheaper than the skyjacker 2" lift but i cant find the lift coils for a price. any idea on how much they are

03-25-2003, 08:03 PM	#12
Felix Elite Explorer CherryPoint, NC 2006 F-150 XLT Super Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 806 Vehicle Specs	you will have to call one of the supply stores ie 4wheel parts and ask how much they cost. or look in a jc whitney book they sell 1 1/2 and 2 inch lift coils also. __________________ 2006 F-150 SC XLT 2007 Honda VFR800 25th Anniversery Ed.

03-25-2003, 08:06 PM	#14
Redrig Elite Explorer Gettysburg,PA 1997 Mountaineer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,113 Vehicle Specs	hey thanks for the info, but i already ordered the whole kit. figured that way id get all the right stuff. thanks again

03-25-2003, 08:26 PM	#15
Felix Elite Explorer CherryPoint, NC 2006 F-150 XLT Super Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 806 Vehicle Specs	Cool good luck on the install and dont forget the all important alignment.. post some pics when you get it all done __________________ 2006 F-150 SC XLT 2007 Honda VFR800 25th Anniversery Ed.