Lifts on a 2wd?

mikegt98 · 12-28-2001, 03:52 PM

Hi guys,

I'm building an audio show car ('94 XLT 2wd 4.0), and would like to lift it.. is this even possible? Does anyone do 2wd to 4wd conversion kits for an automatic transmission? Heck, will Ford even do this?

Thanks!
-Mike

*TarHeel085* · 12-28-2001, 03:55 PM

HEY someone lives near me, HAHA. um you can get 2wd lift spindles. ask trckmagik he's got a lift on his 2wd.

Trckmagik · 12-28-2001, 04:19 PM

I have done 2wd lifts on 3 explorers. This is possible. You will need a skyjacker suspension lift for your early model explorer! I have also done 2 of these on newer models which use the spindle lift. Email me if you have any questions Trckmagik@aol.com

bigDerk · 12-28-2001, 06:58 PM

Can the 2WD Explorers/Rangers use the F150 spacer method? I sure hope so, because I've told several people about that option, and one of them has the spacers and is ready to do it over the holidays...

CoryL · 12-29-2001, 11:46 AM

If you want 4wd. Sell the 2wd and buy the 4wd. It is the easiest and cheapest way to obtain it ESPECIALLY if you can't do the work yourself.

Now, there are plenty of lifts for 2wd Explorers, especially 91-94 models.

Since it sounds like it is for looks only, I'd pass on the body lift. While cheap, they expose the frame and require the bumpers to be moved up as well. Doesn't look good in my opinion.

So this leaves you with suspension lifts. Skyjacker, Superlift, Rancho, Pro-Comp, Baja Concepts, H and M Motorsports, Donahoe Racing, Camburg Engineering, etc etc all have kits that would work. The question is what size tires do you want to run and how much can you afford to spend (and don't answer with as little as possible) on everything.....wheels, tires, lift, installation (if you can't do it yourself), gears (depending on tire size).

mikegt98 · 12-31-2001, 11:10 AM

Cory,

I pretty much have ruled out a body lift, and agree with what you said, IMHO, they're ugly.. I just don't think it will look that great. As for selling the car, I'm not desperate enough for 4wd to go that route, so I don't think it's worth it. I'm mainly looking for the lift, not the 4wd ability. This is going to be a show car, so 4wd isn't necessary because this truck isn't going to see a lot of off-road time (something I'm sure people on this forum don't want to hear :-) )

As far as suspension lift goes, I was thinking about a 6" lift, max. 8" or 9" is probably too much for what I'm looking for. What size tires can I reasonably expect to be able to put on a automatic V-6 '94 XLT with a 5.5" or 6" lift, without having to worry about rub, etc.? What gears should I look at getting to run said tires? The engine will have some hi-po parts, but nothing crazy like NOS/blower/turbo... is this going to be an issue when it comes to pushing/turning larger tires?

Also, money isn't really a concern, I know this will be expensive, but it won't be done at all once, and I'm fortunate enough to have a good job. I just need estimates to know what I'm in for. How much is the parts for a typical 6" suspension lift? Installation (I don't plan on tackling the lift on my own)? Tires? Gearing and all necessary hardware? What size wheels?

Another kinda off-the-wall question: I have a nice set of chrome 20" rims lined up for the car.. are there any 33" -36" tires that can accomodate a 20" rim?

Thanks for all the help,
-Mike

Trckmagik · 12-31-2001, 11:34 AM

The F-150 spacers will work on the 2wd but you will need to modify the bolt. I ended up having to pay my offroad shop to install these! But they will go on as I have had them on for about 6 months now totalling my 10.5" lift.

bigDerk · 12-31-2001, 12:12 PM

Modify which bolt, the one that runs up through the bottom of the coil, for the 1 1/8" nut?

I knew I shouldn't have told people about that lift...

12-28-2001, 03:52 PM	#1
mikegt98 Wannabe Elite Explorer Raleigh, NC '94 XLT Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Lifts on a 2wd? Hi guys, I'm building an audio show car ('94 XLT 2wd 4.0), and would like to lift it.. is this even possible? Does anyone do 2wd to 4wd conversion kits for an automatic transmission? Heck, will Ford even do this? Thanks! -Mike

12-28-2001, 03:55 PM	#2
TarHeel085 And den Raleigh, NC '99 Sport 4wd Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 4,180 Vehicle Specs	HEY someone lives near me, HAHA. um you can get 2wd lift spindles. ask trckmagik he's got a lift on his 2wd. __________________ Curtis My truck 3link D30 SAS. DONE '99 Saab 9-5 2.3T http://www.eastcoastgearsupply.com Last edited by TarHeel085; 12-28-2001 at 04:01 PM.

12-28-2001, 04:19 PM	#3
Trckmagik Ole Bag Celina, Texas 1996 Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 4,748 Vehicle Specs	I have done 2wd lifts on 3 explorers. This is possible. You will need a skyjacker suspension lift for your early model explorer! I have also done 2 of these on newer models which use the spindle lift. Email me if you have any questions Trckmagik@aol.com __________________ Brian Green 1996 V-8 Explorer 1994 4x4

12-28-2001, 06:58 PM	#4
bigDerk Wannabe Elite Explorer Stockbridge, GA 2001 Ranger Edge Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 536 Vehicle Specs	Can the 2WD Explorers/Rangers use the F150 spacer method? I sure hope so, because I've told several people about that option, and one of them has the spacers and is ready to do it over the holidays... __________________ 2001 Ford Ranger EDGE Click for EdgeDomain. - 2WD, 4.0L SOHC, Automatic - 32 x 11.50 BFG All Terrains - 2 inch torsion bar lift - 4.10s and LS to install.

12-29-2001, 11:46 AM	#5
CoryL Wannabe Elite Explorer Louisville, KY 94 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,371 Vehicle Specs	If you want 4wd. Sell the 2wd and buy the 4wd. It is the easiest and cheapest way to obtain it ESPECIALLY if you can't do the work yourself. Now, there are plenty of lifts for 2wd Explorers, especially 91-94 models. Since it sounds like it is for looks only, I'd pass on the body lift. While cheap, they expose the frame and require the bumpers to be moved up as well. Doesn't look good in my opinion. So this leaves you with suspension lifts. Skyjacker, Superlift, Rancho, Pro-Comp, Baja Concepts, H and M Motorsports, Donahoe Racing, Camburg Engineering, etc etc all have kits that would work. The question is what size tires do you want to run and how much can you afford to spend (and don't answer with as little as possible) on everything.....wheels, tires, lift, installation (if you can't do it yourself), gears (depending on tire size). __________________ "You ever kill anybody?" "I hurt someone's feelings once." Moab Off-Road / Accessories and Custom Fabrication

12-31-2001, 11:10 AM	#6
mikegt98 Wannabe Elite Explorer Raleigh, NC '94 XLT Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Cory, I pretty much have ruled out a body lift, and agree with what you said, IMHO, they're ugly.. I just don't think it will look that great. As for selling the car, I'm not desperate enough for 4wd to go that route, so I don't think it's worth it. I'm mainly looking for the lift, not the 4wd ability. This is going to be a show car, so 4wd isn't necessary because this truck isn't going to see a lot of off-road time (something I'm sure people on this forum don't want to hear :-) ) As far as suspension lift goes, I was thinking about a 6" lift, max. 8" or 9" is probably too much for what I'm looking for. What size tires can I reasonably expect to be able to put on a automatic V-6 '94 XLT with a 5.5" or 6" lift, without having to worry about rub, etc.? What gears should I look at getting to run said tires? The engine will have some hi-po parts, but nothing crazy like NOS/blower/turbo... is this going to be an issue when it comes to pushing/turning larger tires? Also, money isn't really a concern, I know this will be expensive, but it won't be done at all once, and I'm fortunate enough to have a good job. I just need estimates to know what I'm in for. How much is the parts for a typical 6" suspension lift? Installation (I don't plan on tackling the lift on my own)? Tires? Gearing and all necessary hardware? What size wheels? Another kinda off-the-wall question: I have a nice set of chrome 20" rims lined up for the car.. are there any 33" -36" tires that can accomodate a 20" rim? Thanks for all the help, -Mike

12-31-2001, 11:34 AM	#7
Trckmagik Ole Bag Celina, Texas 1996 Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 4,748 Vehicle Specs	The F-150 spacers will work on the 2wd but you will need to modify the bolt. I ended up having to pay my offroad shop to install these! But they will go on as I have had them on for about 6 months now totalling my 10.5" lift. __________________ Brian Green 1996 V-8 Explorer 1994 4x4

12-31-2001, 12:12 PM	#8
bigDerk Wannabe Elite Explorer Stockbridge, GA 2001 Ranger Edge Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 536 Vehicle Specs	Modify which bolt, the one that runs up through the bottom of the coil, for the 1 1/8" nut? I knew I shouldn't have told people about that lift... __________________ 2001 Ford Ranger EDGE Click for EdgeDomain. - 2WD, 4.0L SOHC, Automatic - 32 x 11.50 BFG All Terrains - 2 inch torsion bar lift - 4.10s and LS to install.