2010 Explorer lift?

[dunbar91]

So i have a stock 2010 Ford Explorer XLT and would eventually like 18"-20" rims with bigger tires. Obviously with this combo, i'd need some sort of lift. I dont want to spend out the ass, so should i just go with a 3" body lift?

I am completly new to any kind of shocks/lifts/spacers so please give me advice on what to do. I always heard that body lifts put a higher strain on other parts on the vehicle

 

[shooterdude199]

i dont see a body lift compromising existing parts. suspension lifts do of that. to ball joints and etc. i personally dont like the body lift because lifting a body off of a frame just doesnt seem safe to me. i dont know much about the 4th gen stuff. im sure more people will chime in

 

[dunbar91]

I hope so because ive talked to a couple people with no idea. I saw a 2007 Explorer Ironman lifted up and loved the look, little big for me but looked great

 

[Ronin8002]

Keep in mind the front and rear bumper reinforcements don't move up with the body so you'll have to develop some kind of brackets to raise those up with a 3" body lift. Also the steering shaft will have to be modified to make it work properly. On the plus side, you won't have to worry about changing anything with the suspension so you'll retain all the OEM reliability there.

See this thread for more details on how to do the body lift. The kit he used was the Performance Accessories 883 kit but Summit Racing makes their own brand of it...same parts, just in a different box for a much better price...it's part number SUM7888300:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320839&highlight=body+lift

As far as safety goes, I was recently in a pretty hard front end collision with a subsequent one-way trip into a deep ditch in my 2004 with a 3" body lift. The body stayed firmly attached to the frame and the airbag/safety systems did their job perfectly. didn't even come close to rolling over or anything either but I had some wider tires and wheels installed so that probably helped too. With that in mind, as long as you install the lift properly my opinion is that it's reasonably safe to drive with in normal circumstances.