05 Explorer lift ideas

[selliott97]

Hey all, I'm new to the site and gotta say that i'm glad to see there is a forum dedicated to Explorer. I am thinking about doin a few upgrades/mods and am having trouble finding some stuff. In particular is a lift kit. Anyone know where I can find a 2"-3" lift for my 2005 Explorer? I would prefer suspension lift but if I have to I will settle for a body lift. I have looked just about everywhere I can think of and no dice. I don't want anything bigger than that as it is going to be more for cosmetics than practicality except for the occasional camping/fishing trip (it's my daily driver/grocery-getter/haul the kids around mobile). I just want to accesorize a bit. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

 

[Ronin8002]

You can use the PA-883 bodylift kit on our trucks, even though it's listed for a 98-00 Ranger:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219234


You could also do the BTF suspension lift. Here's the thread. To buy it google BTF Fabrication and call their number and ask for Brandon.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279667

 

[selliott97]

Thanks Ronin, I checked out both links you provided and they both look pretty good. However, I do like the simplicity of the BTF compared to the other. Do you know anyone who has used this? The only concern I would have would be what issues might arise from using the strut spacers such as how it would affect the CV's. It seems that changing the angle of the CV's might cause some binding or possible boot damage. Guess I should hop on the discusion for the BTF spacers, that would probably be the best place to find out about that. If anyone else knows of any other possiblities it would be greatly appreciated but it's lookin like this might have to be a custom job. Thanks again.

 

[Ronin8002]

The problem with strut spacers like the BTF is not the CVs but the upper control arm ball joints. Basically when you install these the strut can extend lower than it could before, so the upper control arm ball joints become the thing that limits their extension. If you get into situations where your front suspension gets maxed out a lot this can lead to a lot of ball joint wear or the upper control arms/spindles hitting your coil springs. So the solution seems to be to go with spacers that are smaller in height (1.5"-1.75") or install limiting straps that will keep the front suspension from flexing out enough to put too much stress on the ball joints or having the spindles/arms hit the coils.

Guys who drive mostly or always on pavement don't seem to run into this problem as much, if at all.

Both lifts are fairly involved since you have to remove a bunch of stuff, but neither one is all that hard to do.

 

[selliott97]

Gotcha! Is there any way to remedy this with aftermarket ball joints/control arms or is it just something you would have to live with when installing this type of lift?

I don't plan on doing any extreme offroading or rock crawling, mostly street use with the occasional off-road trip. The reason I was leaning toward the spacers is because with the PA-883, it mentioned something about estending the steering collumn. Maybe I will go back and look at the PA-883 again. I wonder

 

[Ronin8002]

Well for very minor offroading it seems most people have had good luck replacing the OEM balljoints with Moog brand ones...part number K80008. They are stronger than OEM so should last longer. I just put them in my truck since I am getting ready to put in some BTF Spacers.

A few people have used custom built tubular upper control arms with a uniball instead of a stronger balljoint. They seem to be very strong and can take a lot of abuse, but they are definitely custom-made to order...nobody produces them yet. We are trying to get Brandon at BTF Fab to do it but I think he's been too busy with other things to develop them.

As far as PA 883 goes all that you need to do is put the steering shaft extension on your factory steering shaft. The extension comes with the kit.

I took the PA 883 kit and cut the lift blocks in half for a 1.5" body lift. It didn't require a steering extension or bumper brackets at all. I sold the other halves of the lift blocks and another guy on here installed it...so you could split the cost of the kit with someone if you find another person who wants to do the 1.5" lift.