Body lift... do or not

[Dre]

What's the problem with installing a 2" or 3" BL on second generation? I have heard some rumors that it's not advisable.

 

[Ray Lobato]

I don't know why either, but I put a 2" body lift on my 97 and don't regret it at all. You do have to come up with your own bumper brackets, but that's not hard to do, and any shop worth a damn could make them for you, for not much money.

 

[Dre]

I've heard rumors about body mounts and such... that body mounts on 2nd gen are not as strong as 1st gen...

any idea?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Dre,
That's just not possible, since they don't make body lifts for 95+ models. Everyone uses the body lift kits for 91-94 models, so we are using the same thing. Why would it be different on the 95+ models, if they are the same thing?
There is no difference.

 

[Dre]

no, I'm talking about Explorer's body mounts... I have heard some rumors that came to me through another Explorer Forum from the German Explorer Forum... that some guys had problems after installing BL on their 95+ trucks - I say, no way! they say different.

 

[beenwrong2002]

ive got a 3" body lift with no problems...the only thing u gotta watch out for is stretching any wiring...

 

[Dre]

see, I never thought that there is any difference between 1st and 2nd gen as far as strenght of the body mounts goes. IMO it's pretty much the same since the whole floor and frame are almost identical...

 

[manaen]

I think the reason there is no body lift for the second gens has nothing to do with any difference in design. I think it has more to do with the whole firestone rollover debacle. If you understand that this is a 4x4 and not a unibody soccer mom car, and drive it as such, there is no problem with installing a body lift. If you are worried about increased roll you could always get a stronger sway bar.

So for now we are all stuck making our own lift using a ranger lift

 

[Dre]

so to wrap it up... as far as we know people had no damage to their vehicles just because they installed body lift... except for stupidity and reckless driving. right?

 

[manaen]

or improper installation. But I think you will find the list is long out here of people who have installed and are very happy with a body lift (soon to be including myself)

 

[trj360]

or improper installation. But I think you will find the list is long out here of people who have installed and are very happy with a body lift (soon to be including myself)

i have a 3" body lift with TT and shackles running 33x12.5 tires, and i'm very happy with that. no problems to report, although installation took a complete day, 10 in the morning to after dark.

 

[Ray Lobato]

I have taken my Explorer on some pretty rough trails ( Rubicon ) that put some flex on the frame and not had any problems with my body lift, and I know Gerald has abused his Explore even more than me, and he hasn't had any problems.
I have never heard of the mounts giving anyone any problems.
Can it happen? Yes I'm sure that it could, but the probabilities are against it.

 

[Dre]

Thanks for those opinions... I will relay all the info to the other forum...

 

[Paraphoe]

Same here. No issues. My only problem was after installation not noticing my AC hi-pressure line was sitting against my idler and fan belt. $200 later, I had a recharge and a new line, pulled away from the belt this time.

 

[GJarrett]

Yep if you do the 3" lift you'd better pull that AC line out of the way.

Back to the subject I agree with Ray. I would think that if anyone at all could ever have had a problem with a body lift it would be me, and it has never happened.

Put one on worry free and happy wheelin'