2002 Ex XLT lift

[Nc2099]

Hey guys Ive got a 2002 XLT V6 and I'm looking to do some things to her and im on a tight budget still being in high school
•Lift about 3 inches
- i want to keep the stock rims since im going to paint them but i was some tires that would would work on road and off road and look great that go with the lift.
•Paint the grey bumper to black
•Paint stock rims black
•roof rack to put spare tire on and lights
• front grille (safari bar with lights)

This is the main things i want to do for now. i just need some help on finding parts and saving some money. also i cant fid any lift kits which i dont think their are any but I believe there are leveling kits that may work. Thanks for taking the time guys!

 

[Aluminum]

Hey guys Ive got a 2002 XLT V6 and I'm looking to do some things to her and im on a tight budget still being in high school
•Lift about 3 inches
- i want to keep the stock rims since im going to paint them but i was some tires that would would work on road and off road and look great that go with the lift.
•Paint the grey bumper to black
•Paint stock rims black
•roof rack to put spare tire on and lights
• front grille (safari bar with lights)

This is the main things i want to do for now. i just need some help on finding parts and saving some money. also i cant fid any lift kits which i dont think their are any but I believe there are leveling kits that may work. Thanks for taking the time guys!

Well you have 2 options with the lift a 3" body lift or, 2.25 Front And 1.75 - 2.25 Rear BTF spacers, 2.25 and 1.75 will net about 3" of lift. Best tire size would be 265/70/17 or 265/75/16 (Depending on size of rims) will fit stock, 285's would probably fit with quite a bit of trimming. What I'm curently working on is a 1.5" body lift $50 and 1.50F and 1.25R BTF spacers $250. Which would be about 3 and 1/2 inches of lift. The body lift makes the frame sit lower then stock thats why I'm doing the 1.5" and the BTF spacers the bigger you go the more problems you will have.

Safari Bar with lights.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2003-Ford-Explorer-Blk-Grille-Guard-Push-Bar-Bull-/330629709268?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AExplorer&hash=item4cfb10fdd4&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Westin-30-0000-Safari-Chrome-Light-Bar-/281068847821?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AExplorer+Sport+Trac&hash=item41710242cd&vxp=mtr

Hope this will be of some help good luck!

 

[Aluminum]

Some decent tires for the price Tread Right Guard Dog (Retreads Cheepest), General Grabber AT2, Hankook Dynapro ATM (what I run I love them), BFG, Dick Cepek, and Micky Tompson are great but costly. Maybe you could find a nice set of used All Terrain or Mud Terrain tires on Ebay or localy.

 

[Nc2099]

I emailed BTF Asking them what they have to lift it 3 inches. whats the difference between body lift? all i know is leveling and would i run into any issues if i use those btf spacers? i heard ball joints having too much stress and im glad you said used cause that would be cheaper plus then i can take off the tires and paint them. and that black safari bar looks great thats dude!

 

[Nc2099]

i think im gonna run down to pep boys cause i swear i saw some safari bars

 

[Aluminum]

I emailed BTF Asking them what they have to lift it 3 inches. whats the difference between body lift? all i know is leveling and would i run into any issues if i use those btf spacers? i heard ball joints having too much stress and im glad you said used cause that would be cheaper plus then i can take off the tires and paint them. and that black safari bar looks great thats dude!

Body lift raises the body off the frame and does not effect ride quality plus is cheeper and far less problems, BTF spacers your ride quality goes down, wears the ball joints, and can rub your control arm when suspension is at full droop.(Which running bigger tires will decrease ride quality aswell), BTF spacers are about 1.5" more then the size of the actual spacer, example a 1" spacer will net 1.5" of lift a 2" spcer will net around 3. Being your in high school and moneys tight I would get the 3" body lift and slap on a set of 265's and you'd be good to go, not to mention the tires will raise it up a little bit.

 

[Nc2099]

I think your right with the body lift kit idea. The only issue is that there are no kits for the XLT its all the Ex sport tracs. I may just go look around under my car and see how many stock body mounts there are but i still run into the steering extension which could be easy to find. But do you think i would need to lift the engine at all or would i be able to get by with just a steering extension?

The up side i watched a instullation video on some guys putting a body lift on a jeep and it looks pretty easy to do id say.

Another issue is that will my Ex flip easier? Sway bars or just leave it??
Aluminum thanks for helping me out!!
Nick

 

[Aluminum]

I think your right with the body lift kit idea. The only issue is that there are no kits for the XLT its all the Ex sport tracs. I may just go look around under my car and see how many stock body mounts there are but i still run into the steering extension which could be easy to find. But do you think i would need to lift the engine at all or would i be able to get by with just a steering extension?

The up side i watched a instullation video on some guys putting a body lift on a jeep and it looks pretty easy to do id say.

Another issue is that will my Ex flip easier? Sway bars or just leave it??
Aluminum thanks for helping me out!!
Nick

Make sure to disconnect the steering shaft, there are 10 body mounts and you need to disconnect the fan shroud and trim 3 inches off it sense the body is getting lifted and the engine is not the fan shroud would be hitting on plastic. Most people use the Ranger Body Lift Kit I believe this one, it requires slight modification and should come with a steering extension.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PA-3-Body-Lift-Kit-883-Ford-Ranger-Splash-1998-2000-/120803349475?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c2070d3e3&vxp=mtr

 

[Ronin8002]

Nc2099,

Go to the modified 2002-2005 forum. At the top there is a sticky called 3rd gen body lift that tells you everything.

 

[Nc2099]

that kit look good but do you think i should get a sway bar at all so it doesn't flip on turns.

 

[Ronin8002]

that kit look good but do you think i should get a sway bar at all so it doesn't flip on turns.

Your truck is already equipped with front and rear swaybars. It will have a bit more body roll, but nothing crazy. Try it out in a parking lot with the body lift installed to see how it handles and adjust your driving habits accordingly, if needed.

 

[Nc2099]

that is what i was thinking as a option. Im finding things that i wanna put on my Ex and its gonna be a little under 325 dollars which is awesome.