Coilover conversion kit for Torsion Bar explorers?

[King$nake]

Does anybody know if this kit is still available through ORW?

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/sponsors-new-products/108402-2.htm

Basically I want a smoother ride. Currently im running 3" lift spindles and a 1.5" TT. It sits just high enough in the front to clear the 33" mudders, so if I take the TT off, I start to rub.

But anyways, if the above kit is not available, it still seems like it should be possible to just buy some coilovers and make a similar kit from scratch, not sure though

So ideally what I want to do is get a coilover setup in the front to eliminate the Torsion Bars, and then I can adjust the height to clear the 33"s in full lock.

I keep coming back to the fact that I may just need to go long travel/coilover if I want a nice smooth ride and clear the 33"s no problem.

any help would be appreciated.

 

[corkey]

nobody makes a kit for that anymore, , ,


only way to get one is a used kit,

 

[carlover]

Leave the torsions and toss in a good 2.5" tunable shock. I think most people "think" the coilovers give them a better ride but its really more the shock then the coils. It takes the same amount of spring rate to hold up the vehicle regardless of the spring type. I had a spindle lift/king shocks at one time and the ride was far superior with the kings then any off the shelf shock i had tried.

 

[shooterdude199]

if you are really set on putting coilovers on ive seen guys that cut their shock towers off and weld a shock hoop into place. but no, i dont know of anyone who has an all "bolt up" kit anymore.

 

[King$nake]

Leave the torsions and toss in a good 2.5" tunable shock. I think most people "think" the coilovers give them a better ride but its really more the shock then the coils. It takes the same amount of spring rate to hold up the vehicle regardless of the spring type. I had a spindle lift/king shocks at one time and the ride was far superior with the kings then any off the shelf shock i had tried.

I can remove my torsion twist and then adjust the kings to make up the extra lift needed for the 33"s? Right now the spindle lift and torsion twist is good for clearing my 33"s....just the spindle is not enough

I thought only coilovers were adjustable for ride height but maybe im mistaken

 

[shooterdude199]

They are. Only to the extent of when you max out your ball joints.

 

[carlover]

run something like this if you want a good performing setup.

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/members/carlover-albums224-73900.jpg

 

[King$nake]

Ya that looks sick but the whole idea is to get rid of the torsion bars.

I need the extra lift from the torsion twist on top of the 3" spindle lift I already have to run 33"s.

If I run just the spindle lift without doing the TT, I have clearance issues in the front.

The whole point of going coilover is not only can I remove the torsion bars but I could also adjust ride height to give me more lift (to simulate the extra height of the torsion twist, about 1.5"). So I still get about 4.5" of lift roughly and still have a smooth ride. The torsion twist right now is too rough and its rattling my truck to death lol. Want a nice smooth ride without sacrificing front ride height

 

[The Electrician]

PM gmanpaint

He done Torsion Bar to Coil-over conversion with a brilliant way, on his 94 Black Hole

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2464056&postcount=423

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2468091&postcount=435

 

[carlover]

Id say save your money and go right to long travel if your even thinking that might be a future option. The BTF ball joint long travel kit is $1,750 for uppers and lower with tie rod extenders. youd need a 10" coilovers, 2 4" 500 lb springs, and 2 18" 700" springs and shocks hoops. But in the end youd probably be far happier then just doing a simple coilover swap and gaining no travel.

Or give this guy a call http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/parts-accessories/145687.htm#post2766226. Good kit and uses the air shock to help with ride height.

 

[King$nake]

Thanks guys for the responses, very helpful information. The BTF kit is actually much cheaper than I thought but I don't know how much the coilovers and springs will cost.

To be honest, I think I just want to do a basic coilover conversion like gmanpaint did (except I have a 2WD). I think I may just get some BTF upper uniball arms, and then run a coilover setup using the lift spindles I have and stock lower arms. I just installed moog regreasable lower balljoints in the bottom arms as well.

With that said, what all is involved with doing a coilover conversion? I would guess at the very least I would have to have brackets welded to the frame for the top coilover mounts, and then brackets welded to the lower arm, and straps. I think with the BTF upper arms and the coilover setup, I would be good to go. Also, I do not know much about coilovers, but can I purchase a complete coilover kit for what I need, or are the springs always purchased separately?

Thanks in advance
here is a pic of my truck now for reference:

 

[carlover]

Id give Brandon @ BTF a call he works with a few of the shock companies and might be able to help you out. Also he could give you quotes on install of the coilovers if thats what you want to do. (909) 702-7462

 

[gavin]

With that said, what all is involved with doing a coilover conversion? I would guess at the very least I would have to have brackets welded to the frame for the top coilover mounts, and then brackets welded to the lower arm, and straps.

with the RCD kit, the only welding required were gussetts for the shock tower. The actual upper and lower shock mounts were bolt-on.

 

[shooterdude199]

with the exception of drilling the holes to bolt them in but yes they bolt on.