F-150 4x4 Spindles

[DesertRacer]

I was wondering if F-150 Spindles will fit on a 96 eddie, im trying to find a way to lift more but dont want to spend 3,000 dollars. any input would be helpful. thanks

 

[Spdrcer34]

Short answer: NO.

Long Answer: It depends. How much fabrication work are you prepared for? The F-150 spindle can, in theory work on the Explorer. IF it is attached to a Solid Axle that you are swapping into your Explorer.

Ryan

 

[gijoecam]

Not a chance, even with a solid axle... The solid axle wouldn't mate up nice to the F-150 spindles as the upper and lower ball joints are WAY too far apart... Totally not worth the effort and would be a parts nightmare... We haven't even gotten into making a hybrid halfshaft for it...

Any way you slice it, you're looking at $1500+ in parts, whether you lift the existing IFS with a Ranger kit and new rear leaf springs, or do a solid axle swap and rear flip. It's not gonna be a cheap (or easy) job at the least.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Well, he never said WHICH year F-150 he was looking at. And I know that the F-150 axles have been used in a Full Width SAS....

Ryan

 

[hunterdan]

Well, he never said WHICH year F-150 he was looking at. And I know that the F-150 axles have been used in a Full Width SAS....

Ryan

My guess is he was referring to the 97-03 F-150 which uses a similar set up. But I doubt it could be done, but some research on it might be worthwhile. Especially if you could get the control arms to bolt up. In the Frontier world, a common lift is by using the suspension parts from a Titan, you not only gain some lift, but a lot more wheel travel just by using the control arms and swapping out CV axles.

 

[gijoecam]

My guess is he was referring to the 97-03 F-150 which uses a similar set up. But I doubt it could be done, but some research on it might be worthwhile. Especially if you could get the control arms to bolt up. In the Frontier world, a common lift is by using the suspension parts from a Titan, you not only gain some lift, but a lot more wheel travel just by using the control arms and swapping out CV axles.

That would pose an issue on several fronts...

First is the spacing on the ball joints alone.... BIG difference... and the ball joints themselves are different sizes.

Second would be the halfshafts.... completely different on both ends. The inner on the Explorer has an external spline on the driver's side and an external spline on the passenger side, where the F150's bolts to a drive flange on the axle on both sides. The outer joint on the F150 uses a different hub assembly from the Explorer too (larger and thicker) So, you'd have to use the inner joint from the Explorer with the outer joint from the F150... as I mentioned a completely unique halfshaft would have to be built.

Third would be the amount of 'lift' you might get may actually end up being negative.... The torsion bars locate the angle of the lower control arm. If the larger knuckle off the F150 has a proportionally greater distance from the lower ball joint to the centerline of the hub, the wheel would actually be HIGHER with respect to the suspension, resulting in a LOWER ride height for the same LCA angle.

On all fronts, it's a wholly unrealistic approach for an Explorer...

 

[DesertRacer]

Thanks for the input guys i was just trying to figure ways out for a cheaper lift. i think im gonna try and shoot for something different since im out here in washington now so no more sand for a while. I might try dixon bros or maybe try to fab someting up like drop brackets or a control arm set up if i can get a good welder soon. thanks guys
btw how hard is a sas can it be done in a weekend or does it require more complex stuff than im thinking.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Where in WA?

The eastern side of the state is more like Nevada.....while Western Washington is well.....not.


Although, here it is the First Day of Autumn. And it is almost 90 deg.

Ryan

 

[DesertRacer]

Im on whidbey island still havent had time to go out since i just got back anyting good out here on this side of the state.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Check out the Regional Forums for the NorthWest Explorers....

We have planned an outing soon....a lot of REALLY nice guys to wheeling with.

Ryan