Cheap way to get couple inches of lift?

[Malchi]

Ok, I have a stock 91 with stock tires. I assume I could put a little bit larger tires? But, then I would see a decrease in power and MPG.

Now, I would like to just get about another 2 inches of ground clearance with this thing. That's it. I don't need a huge Pro Comp lift to look like an off-roading machine. This is mainly my work car that I take off road a few times a year on easy fire roads and stuff. Mainly, I just wanna have a little more clearance for when I take it into the mountains in the winter and play in the snow. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good way to do that without spending a horde of money?

.

 

[XLT]

Trying searching the topic. Lots of info on how to get lift for cheap. I would suggest looking at a bodylift or getting coil spacers with warriors shackles. Then top it off with some bigger tires.

 

[Malchi]

Trying searching the topic. Lots of info on how to get lift for cheap. I would suggest looking at a bodylift or getting coil spacers with warriors shackles. Then top it off with some bigger tires.

Thanks, I thought of searching, but I am a terrible searcher. But, now that you've given me a few hints, I think I can figure it out from here.

Again, thank you.

 

[bats]

Try searching for f150 spacers. That should lead you in the right direction.

 

[safn1949]

Read this.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237302

 

[Iron Weasel]

One caveat with the F150 spacers is that they aren't as cheap or readily available as they once were, so you generally have two choices.

1) Find someone selling some they've used.
2) Junkyard hunting.

Ford discontinued them, so any dealers that still have them will be charging around $60 - $70 or so per spacer. The trick is finding a dealer that still has them. If you are mechanically inclined, junkyards are a cheaper option and F150's are damn near everywhere. If you don't like either of those options, you can opt for lift springs, aftermarket spacers, or fabricating some yourself. Springs and aftermarket spacers run, on average, around $120 and up. Depending on your fabricating skills and available material, it may be cheaper to make some yourself. I made my own spacers, but I had access to a welder and some other tools / machines you may not have access to.

You can see my lift diary in this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=290039

It details how I made my spacers, what I made them out of, and a setback I ran into that had to be solved. In the end, I only saved around $30 versus buying a set of spacers from Daystar, but mine are steel, galvanized for corrosion resistance, and won't "squish out" like polyurethane will.

After you take care of the front, you have several options for the rear. Cheapest and easiest would be lift shackles. Warrior is a popular choice, but there are other sources. I picked up some lift shackles from a fabricator for $60 shipped. Other than lift shackles, you can do an Add-A-Leaf or lift springs. Shackles are the cheapest option if that's your only consideration.

All in all, I spent just over $250, but that was all the materials to build the spacers, the shackles, an alignment, a used tire (replaced one that was damaged), and a tire balancing. On the "lift" I spent just under $125 for the fabbed spacers and shackles which is about what you'll pay for a set of aftermarket spacers.

 

[Malchi]

I will be at the local pick a part tomorrow and they seem to have lots of Ford F150s so I will look for the spacers while I am there.

Also, I am planning to look for some tires as well. With everything stock, what are the biggest tires I can put on it?

 

[LBarr2002]

I have a set of 2" lift springs I ran for a year or so. I'll sell them for $50 plus shipping.

Get an Add a Leaf and/or Warrior shackles for the rear and you'll be good.

 

[Iron Weasel]

I will be at the local pick a part tomorrow and they seem to have lots of Ford F150s so I will look for the spacers while I am there.

Also, I am planning to look for some tires as well. With everything stock, what are the biggest tires I can put on it?

Make sure you're poking around the 2WD F150's - those have the spacers you're after.

Largest tires stock really depends on your particular vehicle. 30's will fit on pretty much any stock first gen. Some of them will take 31's and others won't. Ours had 31's and rubbed the plastic fender liner at full turn but that was it, the rest of the time it was fine.

 

[Malchi]

I have a set of 2" lift springs I ran for a year or so. I'll sell them for $50 plus shipping.

Get an Add a Leaf and/or Warrior shackles for the rear and you'll be good.

Would those be better than the F150 spacers? Or the same?

 

[Malchi]

Make sure you're poking around the 2WD F150's - those have the spacers you're after.

Will do, thanks.

 

[Iron Weasel]

Would those be better than the F150 spacers? Or the same?

2" springs are 2" longer than stock and with those, you'll need an alignment and probably longer shocks plus shipping costs can be kind of expensive. You'd get more total lift out of the springs though.

That said, if I had to do it over again, I'd go with the lift springs over the spacers and $50 for a set is a pretty good deal even if shipping runs another $30 or so.

 

[LBarr2002]

2" springs are 2" longer than stock and with those, you'll need an alignment and probably longer shocks plus shipping costs can be kind of expensive. You'd get more total lift out of the springs though.

That said, if I had to do it over again, I'd go with the lift springs over the spacers and $50 for a set is a pretty good deal even if shipping runs another $30 or so.

I was able to get the truck aligned within specs with no other changes, but it was at the max of adjustment. You'll get more flex and probably a little better ride out of them. You wouldn't have to get longer shocks, but shock length would be the limiting factor in your droop, or you could use a spacer to move the top mount down.

Shipping shouldn't be more than $20, depending are where you are.

The pictures in posts #13 and #14 of my registry (in signature) were with the 2" front springs, AAL and shackles, and a 3" body lift on 33's.

 

[huntman58]

Ok, I have a stock 91 with stock tires. I assume I could put a little bit larger tires? But, then I would see a decrease in power and MPG.

Now, I would like to just get about another 2 inches of ground clearance with this thing. That's it. I don't need a huge Pro Comp lift to look like an off-roading machine. This is mainly my work car that I take off road a few times a year on easy fire roads and stuff. Mainly, I just wanna have a little more clearance for when I take it into the mountains in the winter and play in the snow. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good way to do that without spending a horde of money?

.

One thing I read and maybe I am wrong here but you said you wanted about 2 more inches of ground clearance am I right? If I am the only way you will get that is with tires as no lift of any kind will change your ground clearance one bit all they will do is allow the bigger tires and more wheel travel. Again it is the tires that give the ground clearance not a lift kit. . Sorry but to get what you want your going to have to go to larger tires and there is no way around it.

 

[94explorerEB]

It would lift the belly of the truck up, just not the axle hieght.

 

[huntman58]

It would lift the belly of the truck up, just not the axle hieght.

Your right but clearance is from the low point and that is normally the deferential front and rear. That is also were the factory takes there ground clearance measurements from that they state.
I found out the hard way defs make bad mojo on rocks. They also do not plow mud or snow well also. That is why I learned how to drive over with my wheels rather then just going for it. Surprising how much you can go over with little lift but good articulation.