dixon brothers racing questions

[Oxander]

http://www.dixonbrosracing.com/content/view/8/6/
anyone know anything about this suspinsion system

 

[carlover]

dixon makes a very good solid kit. as of now they are the only company that makes anything long travel for 4x4 a-arm explorers and rangers.

 

[410Fortune]

I know the Dixon kit KICKS A&* all over the place

Dixon 4x4 IFS kit is race proven
it USED to be the only bolt on kit for us 4x4 IFS explorer / Ranger Edge/ Sport Trac owners

Many shops will build you a long travel IFS 4x4 kit, but only two are a bolt on deal through the mail.
there is another shop now making a long travel 4x4 kit also, for about twice/3 times the monies billet arms = drool

 

[97ebAWDV8]

major bump on this thread - does anybody have any specific information regarding this kit and its use on the 5.0 AWD second gen explorers? I have heard different stories, i.e. All time AWD causes extra stress (binding) of the CV shafts that part time 4wd systems don't.
I don't understand how this can be, as the cv angle is the same (the stock cv's are the same for 4wd and AWD explorers) and they are not free floating cvs...
In other words, given the cvs are used in similar driving conditions between a 4wd model and an AWD model, they are put under the same amount of stress. right?
Carlover, you seem to have a lot of knowledge on the LT expo's, can you clear this up for me? I need to make my final decision between D44 full width and the dixon bros kit...

 

[danwaters]

Why don't you call them. I doubt that if the off road abuse doesn't yield any binding that daily driving duties will not affect the front end. It's a nice front end and certain parts of the "kit" can be upgrade ie, axles, uniballs vs ball joints.

 

[97ebAWDV8]

I called them last year while I was overseas and couldn't get a whole lot of info... I never really thought of it that way, but you bring up a good point... regardless of 4wd or awd it's still going to take a beating... I need to see how much the Bronco TTB conversion would cost me in material before i commit to a $4000+ suspension job.

Thanks for the input Dan.

 

[410Fortune]

converting a 97 Explorer to a un equal length ttb setup? Oh my...

AWD 5/0L explorer simply sends 40% of the drivetrain power to the front end at all times.. no switches, no clutches.. full time AWD

with an open front differential you wont be putting any additional stress on the Dixon bro's extended CV axleshafts over the factory CV shafts.

The dixon kit is very nice and very tough.... it can take the AWD just fine...even non AWD trucks dont have hubs, so the CV shafts are always spinning if the tire is spinning.., having a dixon kit is not going to cause any additional stress, in fact the dixon kit can take more abuse then the stock parts

 

[97ebAWDV8]

converting a 97 Explorer to a un equal length ttb setup? Oh my...

aha, yea, I thought the TTB setup would be cool - but started talking to somebody much wiser than I in the world of fabrication and was a bit turned off... I still think it would be a cool setup on a second gen - something different, and very capable all around. The other option was trying to get Autofab's kit for the rangers to work - but I didn't research that too much as $$ was a factor and I had found a Bronco for $500.

I think I am going to end up doing the DB kit and eventually getting a transfer case from an f150 to get 4wd low

everything you're saying about the AWD is everything I've been thinking ever since I heard it wouldn't work (or wouldn't work well)... I immediately started trying to figure out "why" in my head but I just figured it was something beyond my knowledge (pretty easily accomplished)

Thanks everyone for the input and info.

Hopefully I'll have this done by summer, and I'll get pics up too

 

[danwaters]

With that front end and some decent spring and shock combo in the rear that thing would be a monster. I thought about getting an AWD one as well, but I want to build something else other than another explorer after Ive had my fun with mine.

The TTB setup would be an honest complete waste. It would be easier to go back and get a TTB Exploere and do the 5.0 swap. The Control arm frame is no set up correctly with rake and height to make beams match up to it without MAJOR fab work.

I'd say try out Dixon bros and if you have a chance call them again and try to talk to them about sticking a larger coilover in there (more than 8 in stroke) and ask them if the axles or the outter tie rod limits the travel.

 

[Caejxr]

I've been debating the Dixon kit vs. something else and heres what I've learned: you'll max out the Dixon lift at around 2.5-3" not to mention because it sets the wheels 4.5 inches wider Dixon suggests fiberglass quarter panels and you would need spacers or a 9" or full width axel in the rear to have the same track width. it's just got all that down travel which would be nice. Personally I want more height so I'm going to do a Superlift and ORW coilover conversion to push about 5" lift and its cheaper w/ less cutting and welding if that's important.

 

[danwaters]

With the Dixon bros kit it's not just a lift kit. It replaces the control arms with wider arms to achieve more wheel travel. Its not a lift. You can get lift out of the adjustment in the coilover but since you must retain the factory spindle to keep 4x4 you max at about 4 inches of lift while maintaining a decent travel arc

 

[Fifty150]

I like what I saw on the Dixon Bros website.