Paul,
Unfortunately your "guru" is mostly accurate. His inaccuracy is in the fact that you can't buy a suspension lift for '95 or newer Explorers (front suspension was changed to IFS in '95). None of the suspension companies have tackled the complicated IFS, although Trailmaster is rumored to have a 4" lift almost completed.
It's not all bad news though! What you can do is a simple torsion bar/add-a-leaf lift which is relatively cheap, and gives you approximately 2" of lift, more than enough to comfortably fit up to 32s. I've done the lift on my '96, and have gained 2" front/2.5" rear. I have submitted a procedure write-up, Rick should have it in the "Explorer Tips" section in a couple days.
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Cheers,
Andrew B.
1996 Ford Explorer 4x4 (slightly modified)
BC, Canada