inh
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- June 30, 2005
- Messages
- 1,299
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Springfield(ish), MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '00 XLS
I'm making this to both be of service to the forum (I know RCD questions come up a lot) and to serve as a reference to anyone that is doing this install, to give them an idea of the other small things they may need, and the options available to them. If there is anything I missed please let me know and I will add/edit it
Will it really fit my Explorer?
Yes, it is 100% bolt on for the front. The rear is a lot different however, so you need to find an alternate way of lifting it. Ford used the same front suspension in the 95-01 Explorers in the 98-02 Rangers.
Where can I purchase it?
www.4wheelonline.com
www.jackit.com
www.performancelifts.com
www.performancecenter.com
How much lift will I get?
Most people see anywhere from five to six inches. The front shocks have threaded bodies so you can adjust the height. With the stock springs on the shocks, it may begin to sag after a while, down to about four or five inches. Some people run stiffer springs in the front to combat this, and others run VERY stiff springs in the front to try and get upwards of six inches lift, at the cost of ride quality.
What size tires will this let me run?
You can fit 33's with no trimming, or 35's with minor trimming.
Does it lift the rear as well?
No, you will need to do one of the procedures listed below.
What can I do to life the rear?
-You can get a set of leaf springs and shackles form an F150, these bolt right up. You may or may not need to use an add-a-leaf to get a bit more height for it to be where you want.
-You can have a company like Deaver (www.deaverspring.com) to make you a custom leaf pack.
-Convert to spring-over-axle. This will net you about a 6 inch lift in the rear with stock springs, but requires some cutting/welding.
Will I need longer drive shafts?
While it is possible that you may not NEED longer drive shafts, it is definitely recommended. Both shafts will be at a steeper angle, and if you have the CV style front shaft, it is very likely to fail. Superlift makes a replacement front shaft, part number 9636 to fix this. For the rear, some people use a spacer, some have a shop lengthen and balance their stock shaft, and some get a completely new one made by a custom shop. What route you choose is entirely up to you. Others get away fine without lengthening anything, however once again this is NOT recommended.
You can order a drive shaft spacer just in case, but the correct thing to do is measure once you have the lift on and everything almost finalized to see exactly how much longer your drives haft needs to be.
What else do I need to get besides the kit from RCD?
-Front and rear drive shafts (possible)
For rear spring-over-axle conversion:
-New spring perches. Get some 7” long ones made for a 3 ¼ inch tube from Dead Link Removed
What does RCD stand for?
RCD = Race Car Dynamics
www.racecardynamics.com
I can't find the lift on RCD's website, does it really exist?
Yes, it's actual page is Dead Link Removed, but the Dead Link Removed has more information.
Will it really fit my Explorer?
Yes, it is 100% bolt on for the front. The rear is a lot different however, so you need to find an alternate way of lifting it. Ford used the same front suspension in the 95-01 Explorers in the 98-02 Rangers.
Where can I purchase it?
www.4wheelonline.com
www.jackit.com
www.performancelifts.com
www.performancecenter.com
How much lift will I get?
Most people see anywhere from five to six inches. The front shocks have threaded bodies so you can adjust the height. With the stock springs on the shocks, it may begin to sag after a while, down to about four or five inches. Some people run stiffer springs in the front to combat this, and others run VERY stiff springs in the front to try and get upwards of six inches lift, at the cost of ride quality.
What size tires will this let me run?
You can fit 33's with no trimming, or 35's with minor trimming.
Does it lift the rear as well?
No, you will need to do one of the procedures listed below.
What can I do to life the rear?
-You can get a set of leaf springs and shackles form an F150, these bolt right up. You may or may not need to use an add-a-leaf to get a bit more height for it to be where you want.
-You can have a company like Deaver (www.deaverspring.com) to make you a custom leaf pack.
-Convert to spring-over-axle. This will net you about a 6 inch lift in the rear with stock springs, but requires some cutting/welding.
Will I need longer drive shafts?
While it is possible that you may not NEED longer drive shafts, it is definitely recommended. Both shafts will be at a steeper angle, and if you have the CV style front shaft, it is very likely to fail. Superlift makes a replacement front shaft, part number 9636 to fix this. For the rear, some people use a spacer, some have a shop lengthen and balance their stock shaft, and some get a completely new one made by a custom shop. What route you choose is entirely up to you. Others get away fine without lengthening anything, however once again this is NOT recommended.
You can order a drive shaft spacer just in case, but the correct thing to do is measure once you have the lift on and everything almost finalized to see exactly how much longer your drives haft needs to be.
What else do I need to get besides the kit from RCD?
-Front and rear drive shafts (possible)
For rear spring-over-axle conversion:
-New spring perches. Get some 7” long ones made for a 3 ¼ inch tube from Dead Link Removed
What does RCD stand for?
RCD = Race Car Dynamics
www.racecardynamics.com
I can't find the lift on RCD's website, does it really exist?
Yes, it's actual page is Dead Link Removed, but the Dead Link Removed has more information.