Just did Andrew Brlics easy lift. '98

golby · 11-02-1999, 04:13 AM

Just did Andrew's easy lift on my '98. All went well and it took about 45mins. My original rear springs hangers/shackles were 5 and a 1/2 inches between centres. I manufactured my own at 8 inch centres. This gave me 1inch and 7/8 lift. I had them at 8 and a half inches at first but I found that the original shockers were bottoming out on full extension so rather than force the spring down I made another set of hangers at 8". I lfited the front 1inch and a half. I could have got a lot more but it looked strange as it always did with the front higher than the back. I checked the castor with a graduated spirit level and it had barely changed. The ride is a lot firmer in the front and it has reduced a bit of the nose diving. It's only a bit at the moment but better than nothing and it cost me zip. I'll be doing some serious trails this weekend so i'll see how it goes and hope to get some bigger tyres soon.
Have a great day.
Regards Paul Golby

Robert · 11-03-1999, 11:13 AM

I just did the same thing to my '97, but I found several surprises in the process. I measured the distance from the top, center of my wheel opening to the ground at all four corners. That is where I found my first surprise. My rear driver's side sat about 1 1/2" lower than my rear passenger side. Looking at the ends of my rear sway bar confirmed it. The sway bar end on my driver's side was hanging below the leaf, whereas my passenger side was above. I measured the length of the bolts that mount the ends to the frame, and they were the same length. It looks like the leaf on my driver's side is a little weaker than my passenger's side, Both sides sat significantly lower than the front. I used some modified Autozone shackles to lift the rear. They gave me about 2" lift. The adjustment screws on my torsion bars were about 1/2 way in. I had to tighten them up all the way just to give me about an inch of lift in the front. At least now my back end sits more level, with a little more clearance all the way around. I was going to have me springs checked, but I don't see much need in it now since I can't go any higher in the front. The front is noticeably stiffer, but not uncomfortable. I notice it most when going over a fast hump when the front reaches the end of its downward travel sooner. I have new Edelbrock shocks on order so hopefully they will improve the ride I was getting on my 43,500 mile original shocks. As long as I don't develope any problems as a result, the $12.99 invested was well worth it.

Robert

Jerry · 11-08-1999, 07:14 PM

Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

Jerry · 11-08-1999, 07:15 PM

Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

Jerry · 11-08-1999, 07:15 PM

Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

Jerry · 11-08-1999, 07:15 PM

Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

Jerry · 11-08-1999, 07:17 PM

Sorry about that. It was just sitting there doing nothing, got impatient and hit it a few times. Again, really sorry.

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11-02-1999, 04:13 AM	#1
golby Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 16 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Just did Andrew's easy lift on my '98. All went well and it took about 45mins. My original rear springs hangers/shackles were 5 and a 1/2 inches between centres. I manufactured my own at 8 inch centres. This gave me 1inch and 7/8 lift. I had them at 8 and a half inches at first but I found that the original shockers were bottoming out on full extension so rather than force the spring down I made another set of hangers at 8". I lfited the front 1inch and a half. I could have got a lot more but it looked strange as it always did with the front higher than the back. I checked the castor with a graduated spirit level and it had barely changed. The ride is a lot firmer in the front and it has reduced a bit of the nose diving. It's only a bit at the moment but better than nothing and it cost me zip. I'll be doing some serious trails this weekend so i'll see how it goes and hope to get some bigger tyres soon. Have a great day. Regards Paul Golby

11-03-1999, 11:13 AM	#2
Robert Wannabe Elite Explorer Mesa, AZ '97 4x4 Sport Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 3,975 Vehicle Specs	I just did the same thing to my '97, but I found several surprises in the process. I measured the distance from the top, center of my wheel opening to the ground at all four corners. That is where I found my first surprise. My rear driver's side sat about 1 1/2" lower than my rear passenger side. Looking at the ends of my rear sway bar confirmed it. The sway bar end on my driver's side was hanging below the leaf, whereas my passenger side was above. I measured the length of the bolts that mount the ends to the frame, and they were the same length. It looks like the leaf on my driver's side is a little weaker than my passenger's side, Both sides sat significantly lower than the front. I used some modified Autozone shackles to lift the rear. They gave me about 2" lift. The adjustment screws on my torsion bars were about 1/2 way in. I had to tighten them up all the way just to give me about an inch of lift in the front. At least now my back end sits more level, with a little more clearance all the way around. I was going to have me springs checked, but I don't see much need in it now since I can't go any higher in the front. The front is noticeably stiffer, but not uncomfortable. I notice it most when going over a fast hump when the front reaches the end of its downward travel sooner. I have new Edelbrock shocks on order so hopefully they will improve the ride I was getting on my 43,500 mile original shocks. As long as I don't develope any problems as a result, the $12.99 invested was well worth it. Robert

11-08-1999, 07:14 PM	#3
Jerry Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

11-08-1999, 07:15 PM	#4
Jerry Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	Did Andrew's lift yesterday, minus the add-a-leafs, on my 95. I used longer shackles. I too have the dreaded Explorer lean. Mine is down an inch on the drivers side. Have the truck scheduled for full length add-a-leafs this Wednesday, guess I better level the torsion bars out at least before then. With the adjustment I made (4 full turns of the bolt from it being topped out) I gained 1.75 in the front, and the same in the rear with the 8 inch hole to hole shackles. I really can't detect any difference in ride. The truck looks right now, don't know for sure why Ford ships these out as low riders, guess that's to appeal to folks who have trouble getting into taller vehicles. Great inexpensive lift.

11-08-1999, 07:17 PM	#7
Jerry Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	Sorry about that. It was just sitting there doing nothing, got impatient and hit it a few times. Again, really sorry.