3" spacer lift - front. 1st gen Ex

[leefhead]

ive been looking around for awhile now, its hard to find info on spacer lifts for a 1st gen explorer (94 EB 4x4). the best info i could find was the f150 spacer, but that only gives about 1-1.5" of lift, im looking more for 3". there is smth on TRS about using washers... how safe is this? im caring a 3 month old baby, dont want to be driving down the highway and my front end falls apart =/ what other options are there? looking on ebay theres nothing in the sense of coil spacers. any replies would be great, thanks.

 

[Willard]

The reason they don't exist is because it would be too much without drop brackets. The radius arms would bind and you couldn't align it all the way. Simply put, the only way you can go over 2" is with drop brackets, or extended beams and different radius arms.

 

[leefhead]

The reason they don't exist is because it would be too much without drop brackets. The radius arms would bind and you couldn't align it all the way. Simply put, the only way you can go over 2" is with drop brackets, or extended beams and different radius arms.

will a f150 coil seat guarentee me 2 inches?

 

[seeyalater]

if ur looking to get a litle bit of lift, look into doing a TT in the front and warrior shackles in the rear, that will get you 2" and its dirt cheap

 

[Willard]

if ur looking to get a litle bit of lift, look into doing a TT in the front and warrior shackles in the rear, that will get you 2" and its dirt cheap

He can't do a TT, it's a first gen, with coil springs up front, so no torsion bars. Shackles, however, are and option for the back.

 

[seeyalater]

oops my bad...i should pay more atention to what im reading...maybe i should get back to work...lol

 

[Willard]

will a f150 coil seat guarentee me 2 inches?

No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that to go over 2 inches with any kind of spacer would be too much for the suspension. You could try 1.5 - 2 with spacers and then a 1-2 inch body lift. F-150 spacer I believe could get 1.5 inches, and there are other, generic types of spacers that will get you more.

 

[leefhead]

No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that to go over 2 inches with any kind of spacer would be too much for the suspension. You could try 1.5 - 2 with spacers and then a 1-2 inch body lift. F-150 spacer I believe could get 1.5 inches, and there are other, generic types of spacers that will get you more.

i understand that going over 2 inches would be too much, i was just wondering if the f150 spacer would give me 2 inches, or if i would have to go with something else to give me it. my suspention is sagging a little right now, im the summer i plan on changing all of my shocks and stuff (too cold to be doing that stuff right now X|), though ill probally wait till this summer to do the lift anyways... only thing is that i currently need an alignment, i dont want to get one now, then in the summer get another one...maybe ill just wait till summer and get it all done at once. with i need an alignment after doing my shocks? where can i get some generic spacers that'll give me the 2" im looking for. also, when i get my shocks, should i get shocks for a f150 of the same year for the extra length? how about the large washer spacer made on the ranger station? they just welded a bunch of washers together and put them under the coil. how safe is that method?

after some more googling, i found these spacers as well as an addaleaf kit: http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/cart/products/Ford_Complete_2_Lift_Kit_4WD_1983_1997-34-22.html

30+ship, seams like a good price to me. are polyurethane spacers more prone to breaking down than something metal? anyone know if this website ships to canada?

also what about the procomp es3000/es9000 series shocks? at 40/46$ a shock, their definatly better price than the rancho series avaliable here in town....are they good shocks? ill mostly be doing on road driving, with ocasional off road.

 

[CodePoet]

F150 spacers will not give you a full 2"s, more like 1.6-1.7 (can't remember).

The poly spacers can break down, the f150's never will.

Washers are a cheap craptastic way to lift that i'd never be caught dead with.

For 2" poly spacers you may need longer studs.

Stock length shocks will work. If you're going to replace them anyway though then a longer shock would be nice to have (alittle more down travel). Look around the rancho sites, i bet there is a length chart, then you can order the correct ones for your lift.

 

[leefhead]

so i was thinking of getting this in the summer, what do you guys think :

Ford 2" Front Spacer Lift Leveling Kit 1980-1997 - 29.95
Ford Add-A-Leaf Spring Kit 1972-2007 - 39.99
Pro Comp ES9000 REAR Shock Absorber (2*front,2*rear) - 45.95*4
Pro Comp Shock Boots (pair*2) - 7.95*4
Promo Code Discount (hero): - - $26.96
shipping - $78.60
total -----------------------------------------------------------------------
$321.28

then if customs decides to screw me, cause im in canada, we would see what happens there. i believe this is all in US dollars.

so..what do you guys think? 4 shocks, add a leaf kit, poly coil spacers. good/bad? i think the poly coil spacers wont be too bad, as i wont be leaving the road too often, just once in awhile when i decide on going on a little trip in the bush XD

 

[Four0Sport]

im also looking for around 3 inches of lift around my 2 door. ive been getting parts here and there and almost have them all gathered up. im planning on f-150 spacers and 1.5" leveling coils in the front and shackles and add a leafs in the rear. i already have rancho adjustable shocks, the AALs, just need the front coils and rear shackles. after doin some math with my abacus i figure that combo will give me 3 inches w/out really putting a strain on the rest of the truck.

spacers: $30
coils: $100
shocks $200
AALs: $30
shackles: $65

i just realized that for another couple hundred dollars i could just buy a 4 inch lift kit. that sucks. stupid shocks are too much. time to put my abacus away. thats a funny word.

 

[Dora The 4x4'a]

forgive me if i repeat i didnt hav enough tim eto read the full thread

but the f150 spacer is 1 3/4 lift
polyurethane spacers liek the ones i used i got on ebay are 2in. these are pretty true 2in. stock shocks will work
i wouldnt use those welded washers ther just not worth it for safety and reliability

my suggestion is, if you want to lift a vehicle, do it and dont make it the primary vehicle you travel in with a child. no matter what you do, a modified vehicle is comprimised from factory saftey regulations.

 

[leefhead]

forgive me if i repeat i didnt hav enough tim eto read the full thread

but the f150 spacer is 1 3/4 lift
polyurethane spacers liek the ones i used i got on ebay are 2in. these are pretty true 2in. stock shocks will work
i wouldnt use those welded washers ther just not worth it for safety and reliability

my suggestion is, if you want to lift a vehicle, do it and dont make it the primary vehicle you travel in with a child. no matter what you do, a modified vehicle is comprimised from factory saftey regulations.

i appreciate your input and your worry about the saftey of my child, but its the only vehicle i have currently, and i need a slight lift. its not like im going 15 inches in the air thanks though.