Advice for my stock 01 Sporttrac

[Tennis77]

Okay so I have a 01 Sporttrac and was wondering on what I should do to it this summer? I was think lifting and adding a few upgrades like lights and tires. What should I do?

 

[01STrunner]

How big do you want to go? How much do you want to spend? How often do you plan on being on trails? Check out my registry for some ideas. A couple other guys to look at are Lono100 Offtrac and MidnightRebel07. Sorry for all the questions but they can help to answer your question.

 

[Tennis77]

Well honestly I don't know maybe a 4" lift and I got like a grand to spend right now so I don't know all I could do.

 

[Tennis77]

And I'll probably be on trails every once in a while still in school so probably once or twice a week

 

[01STrunner]

Thats about what I had this past summer. If you're not afraid to get a little dirty you can do a 2" torsion twist up front and either Warrior 153 shackles or pro comp add-a-leaf in the rear. That will net you around 2". The shackles will get you about 1/2" more lift in the rear but flatten your springs over time. The add-a-leaf strengthens your leaves and is cheaper but makes the ride a little rougher, more truck-like IMO. You will have to have a front end alignment after the TT. That whole project will be under $150 and maybe even below $100 if you go with the AAL and can find an alignment shop for cheap.

 

[01STrunner]

The next thing you can do for pretty cheap is a Performance Accessories 3" body lift. This lift will allow you to fit 35s with a little bit of trimming and 33s with a little less. If you don't want to get new wheels, I wouldn't go larger than a 265/75/16 tire though. Those will fit with no rubbing with the TT/Shackle Lift + Body Lift.

 

[OffTrac]

And I'll probably be on trails every once in a while still in school so probably once or twice a week

Wish I could consider once a week "once in a while." Lol

The above lift and new tires should keep you under budget. The big cost is going to be tires. You'll need a matching spare so that alone is going to put you near your budget with 5 tires. For quality tires on a budget, I recommend Treadwright.com.

 

[01STrunner]

For lights I love both my KC Slim Lite long range halogens and my Rigid Industries Dually LED's. There's a few cheaper brands of LEDs out now that are pretty close to the quality of the Rigids. I use mine all the time on trails at night and they do a great job of lighting up everything up front. I also had a pair of Pilot 55 watt driving lights mounted to my rear bumper but I ripped them off 1 too many times on the trails to remount them again. They were awesome for night wheeling as I could see my whole truck. I guess its time to invest in some rock lights now my SAS is about done.

 

[01STrunner]

Wish I could consider once a week "once in a while." Lol

The above lift and new tires should keep you under budget. The big cost is going to be tires. You'll need a matching spare so that alone is going to put you near your budget with 5 tires. For quality tires on a budget, I recommend Treadwright.com.

Oh yeah forgot to mention you will need to get 5 of the same size tires.

 

[Tennis77]

Alright how much do you think a lift and tires would be? And also my trucks not a 4x4 so I dont know if its worth it.

 

[OffTrac]

Put a locker in the rear and it will be. Search for Lono's threads. He's 2wd and probably exactly what you're looking for.

As for cost:
Torsion twist = free
Alignment = $65-$90
Rear add a leaf = $35(short)-$75(long)
Tires w/matching spare = $600-$1200

 

[01STrunner]

Do you remember the p/n for the long AAL by chance?

 

[LONO100]

Runner is steering you in the right direction. For a thousand dollar budget, you can lift, and find some great wheels on craiglist too. I think the number one difference maker in mods for function and looks is a great set of tires. You can do a lift for cheap if you do the work yourself, invest in some nice tires, and find some wheels to match. Thats a geeat start and can be done for arpund a thousand bucks. Good luck and post pics!

 

[LONO100]

Once you get lifted and on some nice tires, get a locker if you seriously want to take a 2wd on the trail. 4x4 will always be better than 4x2, especially in the snow, but you will be amazed at how much more capable your truck will do with a locker. We also own a jeep jk and in the summer months we prefer to take the trac on the trail for multiple day trips because the lockers do such an awesome job. I say anyone seriously wanting to off road a 2wd should have lockers, but start on the lift and tires first. Again, good luck!

 

[01STrunner]

There's those wheels midnight rebel is selling. You'd have to polish them up and find a matching spare though.