2nd Gen Lift???

[feared100]

Hey names Rich. I am fairly new to this forum and I have a lot of questions. I mainly i was wondering if it is better to go with a TT/Shackles or AAL. ORRR a Superlift 4in lift kit. Im not too sure which is more reliable because I commute to school Monday-Thursday and I will probably have my explorer for a while . Here are some pics of it. Oh yea from New York btw!

 

[Glen4X4]

Nice Explorer. With the tt/shackles you can fit 31's comfortably (which you can do stock) but normally doesn't give you enough lift for 33's without major rubbing. You didn't state what gearing you currently have or what size tires you're looking to fit on the truck. With a tt/shackle and 3in b/l you can fit 33's comfortably which still may require a little bit of trimming and really get you the same amount of clearance under it as the 4" superlift. With the superlift the tbar bracket drops down and doesn't really yield you anymore clearance except for tires unless you do a coil over conversion in the front then you would be satisfied with the superlift. But keep in mind your fuel mileage and your schooling commute...

 

[feared100]

i would like to be able to fit 33s. that would be great for me and most likely the largest I would go. I am not too sure on what gearing I have. not too car savvy. but its a 97 XLT btw. but in our opinion which is more reliable? Because I'm leaning towards the tt and bl

 

[OffTrac]

Spend your money on tuition instead of the Superlift. Body lift, TT and AAL and a little non-cosmetic trimming will probably do you just fine for 33s. A TT and AAL will do fine for 32s and give you much the same look, save some money and not kill your fuel efficiency, especially if you don't have 4.10 gears. Also, ground clearance gained between a 33 and 32 is insignificant and you wouldn't need to trim for 32s.

I would only consider putting a Superlift on my truck if it was given to me.

 

[Turdle]

Spend your money on tuition instead of the Superlift. Body lift, TT and AAL and a little non-cosmetic trimming will probably do you just fine for 33s. A TT and AAL will do fine for 32s and give you much the same look, save some money and not kill your fuel efficiency, especially if you don't have 4.10 gears. Also, ground clearance gained between a 33 and 32 is insignificant and you wouldn't need to trim for 32s.

I would only consider putting a Superlift on my truck if it was given to me.

Excellent advice. Considering 33" tires+lift neither would be deemed" reliable" unless you want to consider it being relied on to eat parts. You will be able to rely on that.

I m saying this because of the " not too car savy" statement you made earlier. If you try to run 33" tires on your stock gears, you will become car savy beyond your desires.

Save $$ for proper maintenance, do a TT and fit 32's. 33's will only gain you .4" clearance over 32's FYI

 

[sport97]

I agree with the above statements. Being a college senior I know money can get tight. Rather than drop all that money on a superlift, or 33" tires and slaughter my MPGs I chose to do the TT up front with an AAL and shackles in the back. I have 265/75/16s (32"s) on. I got the look I wanted and it did not change my gas mileage. It was fairly cheap to do because I waited until I needed tires anyway. Yea, I still want to do a body lift and 33s but not until I graduate and hopefully in a reasonable period of time get a job, and another car for a D.D so the ex can be a toy.

 

[feared100]

thanx for the advice guys. i defiantly don't want the superlift for a while. especially since i just started school. i am going to go with the TT Shackles and AAL for sure. And thank you for showing me the difference between a 33in tire and 32in. Because there apparently there basically isn't one. I do want the whole "look" but i also want functionality without using my money like I drink water.

 

[sport97]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2758957&postcount=157

That is a few pics right after I finished my lift. I only did 1" TT up front because I needed longer bolts. I also have since ditched the safari bar and front bumper valance to make it look more lifted up front. I have a front skid plate going on soon as well.

 

[feared100]

could you get longer bolts or is it pointless/ a pain in the ass? and it looks good i just would get newer rims because mine are getting a bit rusty, and i was thinking about a roof rack for the top to hold the spare.

 

[sport97]

I don't think its hard. I was just lazy. If you search on here there is how to's on the TT and measurements for longer bolts. It seems some people need bolts and others do not.

I wanted to get a roof rack but I may no longer fit in my garage and my guesses are it will hurt my MPGs. I also plan on new wheels at some point. Just budget to get tires and wheels at the same time. Or buy the wheels whenever you find a sale and wait until you need tires to put them on. I can't tell very good from the pics but it looks like you have pretty good tread on those michelins. If you get the lift on soon you could probably get a decent amount for those wheels/tires to put towards new stuff.

TT/ shackles, new wheels and tires, and paint those pillars black again and it will look really nice.

 

[feared100]

the tires are about a year and a half old i believe(was my dads truck). So he got everything fixed up for me. Now all the mods i want to do is on me. I would put the new rims on only when i got new tires as well. and painting the pillars will prob happen within the next month or so lol. I just gotta get some black spray paint. and tape off the windows.

 

[feared100]

would it be a good idea for new shocks as well?
if so which are good to get