Benefits of a tt shackle lift

[Big Bear Bob]

What benefits can I expect to realize if I do get the 2" TT and Shackle lift?

My wife came home a little calmer today; she wants to see what the benefits would be, on and off road?

Will the lift by its self make the Explorer handle off road conditions any better ?

Personally I hope I'll be able to get the 32" BFG MT' after awhile, and I know she will never let me go with the full lift so...

Thanks in advance guys,

 

[Jason_25]

There is really only 2 benefits. Being able to clear larger tires and getting your frame (and the stuff attached to it) up and out of the way of trail obstacles.

 

[Robb]

Better Visibility!

 

[Alec]

If you already fit 31s without rubbing, the only benefits would be slightly better approach and departure angles, and less of a chance of getting high centered.

 

[RangerX]

It'll look cooler!

Also, it's all easily revertable back to stock if you (she) doesn't like it.

 

[jimbo74]

actually it wont give you more clearance, but will allow the suspension to articulate ore.... the real thing is that it will give you more angles and be a firmer ride.... tire size is the only way to gain clearance.... for the most part lifts only allow bigger tires

 

[Alec]

well, depends on what clearance you're talking about. A suspension lift doesn't raise the axles, but it raises most everything else, including the frame and the body. So in that regard it helps your angles.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Hi Bill

Rachaels has been giving me a hard time about doing the lift. It almost sounds as if I should shine it for now, even though I have the shackles and count it up to learning.

But it did look like Leni (sp) was having a little easier time on Gold Mountain than we did.

By the way I can get it done for $160.00 with alignment, so I have a tentative appointment for next Tuesday.

BTW I think it would look better too, but I bought the war153, s for $59.00 tax and shipping so the total coast is going to be a little over $200.

It would be nice if I could keep up with you a little better, but it doesn't sound like it will really help that much.

 

[jimbo74]

it will help....granted it no 4" superlift... it will help out the ride and offroad worthiness

 

[RangerX]

Bob, when I said Lennie's lift cost $100, that's cuz I did the labor myself, plus I had the coils hanging around. The hundred was the cost of the double addaleafs. You can add the $270 I paid for the alignment and it wasn't so cheap, I guess.

 

[Alec]

$270 alignment?

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Thanks guys, I have the appointment next tuesday, and already have the shackles so...

I've been trying to figure out how far the 2" TT will drop after a little time, anyone have any idea?

Bill we hope to see you in the fall when you guys get the dates figured out, last trip was a blast. I hope my rig is up to the challenge.

I guess I can really count myself lucky in having the Torsion Bars. I had someone up here who said they could do the job free, but Rachael is too nervous about letting anyone but a shop touch the truck.

Again thanks for the response and if anyone knows what I should expect as far as the TT dropping let me know, I would really appreciate it.

 

[RangerX]

Originally posted by Alec
$270 alignment?

The actual alignment was $40, then the cost of new shims and labor, plus alot of shop time to unfreeze, remove and replace the pinch bolts to get to the shims. It was the fourth shop that tried to do it!

 

[Alec]

sorry to hear that. oh well, it's done

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Howdy folks,
yesterday we got the shackles put on by the guy that delivers our firewood and he's also a general handy man. He knows cars wood working plumbing and is just about the nicest guy you would ever want to meet. He wasn't going to charge anything for the lift but I forced $40.00 on him, and gave him a few tools we had hanging around that he said he had use for.

As far as the TT he twisted each torsion bar 4 times and we gained about 1.25" all around, even the shackles came out to 1.25". So I gues the add a leaf is next.
Does anyone know how much the Add a Leafs cost? I really don't want to go any higher than 1" so we can keep the truck level all the way around?

Again thanks in advance I really appreciate the help you guy's have given.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

After putting 370 miles and bouncing it around a bit we only had to make one adjustment we lost about a half inch on the drivers side. So I now consider the project finished, still dissapointed on the over all of the TT Shackle lift and looks like 1.25" is it mostly beacuse of the rear springs. The shackles only gove me i.25" so we just kept the same hieght on all four wheels. With the 31's the total comes to 34.5 on all four corners. I was hoping for a little more, but I guess thats why someone recommended add a leafs huh Bill?

But next purchase is a battery car won't start if you leave the dome lights on for an hour!

Thanks again guys, really do appreciate the advice and time.