calling people with 1996 explorers

[best X]

okay so here is my problem ive looked all over the place for a lift kit for it i really wanted to do like 4" suspension and 3" bl but ive taken my sport to 3 different shops to have them check it out and see if they are willing to do it and i get the same answer ooh we cant do it...they dont make lifts for 2wd sports for that year and all kinds of bs i know theres has to be a lift there for them so if anyone has lifted theres either a bl or susp. lift please tell me were you bought it from or some kind of help thanks

 

[410Fortune]

3" BODY LIFT
2-4" torsion twist (2wd IFS without CV axles can twist the torsion bars ALOT and still correct camber


There are LOTS of lift options for a 2wd Sport actually.
from MILD (torsion twist) to WILD (Camburg long travel A Arm)

You need the search button

This is your chance to inform your local off road shops of what is available and what you want done
The first question for you is:

Why?
Why do you want to lift a 2wd?
looks? to fit bg tires? So you can mob around in the sand?

then next:

What is your budget?
We are talking $500 to $10,000 in options here

 

[best X]

okay yeah i no i can do a mad torsion twist but they were like uhh thats not good for your truck..
and i wana lift it bc of course looks bigger tires and not sand cant do much of that around me but screw around in the mud and my budget is $1500-$1800 or so
also i dont know if the shops dont want to do the lift since im only 18 and they dont think i should have it done i have no clue

 

[beenwrong2002]

how big of tires are you wantin to run...

 

[410Fortune]

$1800 includes wheels and tires?

Listen to what we tell you not the shops
We know explorer's, not them apparently.
If their Fabtec or Superlift book doesnt list it they wont touch it.


unless your shops are in Southern California you are going to get the same answer just about anywhere when it comes to a 2wd Explorer
Your 2wd Explorer is VERY similar to a 2wd Ranger, and we all know you can do alot to a Ranger.

Torsion twist with mad lift is not BAD for your truck, it makes for a harsh ride, but its a cheap way to get 3-4" of lift, if it can be aligned I am not sure what makes this a "bad" option, it wont hurt anything

A not so harsh ride is going to cost ALOT more, like I said you have ALOT of options, so there really is no one answer, you have to research then decide whats best for you.

Using a 2" body lift instead of a 3" body lift will save you some headaches
Look into getting a lift spindle for your front end, this will also help you get lift without drop brackets and without twisting your torsion bars until your teeth fall out down the road...

I personally would sell my first born and go with a stage III suspension kit from Camburg Get real world usable wheel travel that can take some serious abuse and will ride like a cadiallac....

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I'd look into possibly trading your 2wd for a 4x4. If you want to go into the mud or anything else, this is what you'll want. Not saying you shouldn't lift your 2wd, but down the road when you start wanting to do more (and yes, everyone wants to do more, idk anyone that's lifted their truck and is completely finished) you'll need a 4wd. Living in Florida there should be plenty of vehicles for pretty good prices.

Good luck

 

[best X]

$1800 includes wheels and tires?

Listen to what we tell you not the shops
We know explorer's, not them apparently.
If their Fabtec or Superlift book doesnt list it they wont touch it.


unless your shops are in Southern California you are going to get the same answer just about anywhere when it comes to a 2wd Explorer
Your 2wd Explorer is VERY similar to a 2wd Ranger, and we all know you can do alot to a Ranger.

Torsion twist with mad lift is not BAD for your truck, it makes for a harsh ride, but its a cheap way to get 3-4" of lift, if it can be aligned I am not sure what makes this a "bad" option, it wont hurt anything

A not so harsh ride is going to cost ALOT more, like I said you have ALOT of options, so there really is no one answer, you have to research then decide whats best for you.

Using a 2" body lift instead of a 3" body lift will save you some headaches
Look into getting a lift spindle for your front end, this will also help you get lift without drop brackets and without twisting your torsion bars until your teeth fall out down the road...

I personally would sell my first born and go with a stage III suspension kit from Camburg Get real world usable wheel travel that can take some serious abuse and will ride like a cadiallac....

yeah but see im not so great with mechanics and me walking in trying to talk to never really goes that great bc they're always like ooh we cant do that blah blah blah and then i just walk out same place as before but you think if i just walk in and like will you do a 3 in bl and crank the torsion bars a lot! that shoudl work right ? and id like to keep the tires in with the $1800 price range but im graduating in a couple weeks and im thinking gift

 

[best X]

Good luck[/QUOTE]

how big of tires are you wantin to run...

i want to run 33s but i'd like to have quite a bit of lift just like the look ha

I'd look into possibly trading your 2wd for a 4x4. If you want to go into the mud or anything else, this is what you'll want. Not saying you shouldn't lift your 2wd, but down the road when you start wanting to do more (and yes, everyone wants to do more, idk anyone that's lifted their truck and is completely finished) you'll need a 4wd. Living in Florida there should be plenty of vehicles for pretty good prices.

and dude im not going to trade it for a 4x4 and here in florida around me buying a 4x4 is crazy expensive and tons of miles not worth it for me bc im just fixing my up for some weekend fun

 

[410Fortune]

You dont NEED a shop

Any good shop should be able to install a body lift for you if you decide to pay somebody to do it, for weekend fun I would seriously consider a 2" body lift and torsion twist. With 15x8" wheels and 3.75" backspacing this will clear 33" tires NO PROBLEM

You will likely only need 2-3" of actual torsion twist. Get some 4 door rear leaf springs and add $80 shackles, you are good to go.

Any shop that says they cant install a body lift on your explorer = walk away

4wheel parts should be able to help you out, although I am a big fan of supporting your local ma and pa 4x4 / sand rail / custom truck shop

 

[carlover]

2wd get some fabtech/procomp spindles for a ranger edge for the front. Crank the torsions up a little and you got yourself a nice 6" lift for under 400$ for the front. Ill have my spindles for sale in the next 4 months or so due to the custom fabbed spindle being used to my LT kit.

 

[trj360]

a 3" body lift and TT/shackles will give you room for 33s.

 

[beenwrong2002]

a 3" body lift and TT/shackles will give you room for 33s.

yep

 

[best X]

2wd get some fabtech/procomp spindles for a ranger edge for the front. Crank the torsions up a little and you got yourself a nice 6" lift for under 400$ for the front. Ill have my spindles for sale in the next 4 months or so due to the custom fabbed spindle being used to my LT kit.

so if i get some spindles you think i could install pretty easily over the weekend with some help and then crank the torsion bars and i would buy but im really trying to get this all done soon since summer is 3 weeks away and if i add the leaf thats not to hard is it? but if i get the spindles would i get the body lift as well ?

and you guys dont mind if i ask when im about to buy the parts if there good enough of if i should keep looking for difffernt ones

 

[carlover]

Spindle lift is very easy. 10000% easier than a BL. For the rear an AAL and shackles will bring it up some, but it will still lean to the back a little. Mine sits like that and i dont mind it to much. Id skip the body lift depending on what your doing. If your gonna use spindles than dont even bother.

 

[trj360]

Spindle lift is very easy. 10000% easier than a BL. For the rear an AAL and shackles will bring it up some, but it will still lean to the back a little. Mine sits like that and i dont mind it to much. Id skip the body lift depending on what your doing. If your gonna use spindles than dont even bother.

To get 35s (if this is what he's going for), I'd assume SOA, spindles, twist, and body lift would be just enough room. correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[carlover]

best way to run 35's for a 2wd is spindle lift, TT and front fibergalss fenders. And an SOA in the rear. For a DD not the best idea though, it will chew through bearings and its alot harder on parts than just 33's. Ive just never been a big fan of body lifts, to me it should be a last resort to clear the bigger tires.

 

[best X]

well i wont need 35s thanks for the info tho im going for 33s but i like lots of lift so i might try the lift for the 35s and then just run 33s i shouldnt ruin anything to fast that way right?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I guess you don't have the Sammy in your sig anymore? What rear end gears do you have? Is it at least a limited slip? Without a locker, or at the very least a limited slip a 2wd won't go anywhere in the mud.

 

[best X]

no i still have the sammi its still there sitting in my driveway getting driven everyone once in a while. and i would be getting a locker for it bc i no im not going anywere wiht out one soo

 

[best X]

well im going to the shop tom. to tell him i want A 3" SPINDLE LIFT. 2" TT LIFT and SOA IN THE REAR WITH 2" SHACKLES.3" BODY LIFT. you guys think that will look good i hope hell do it for me