finished my 3" BL...almost

[sean4385]

I finally got off my lazy ass and decided to install my PA 3" BL on my 97 sport. After 2 full days of PITA work its basically done, except for getting the brushgaurd welded up 3" higher and 3 problems i still need to fix:

1) my steering feels stiffer. Not just a few spots but all the way around, and its not too stiff, as if there was no PS, but stiffer than usual and enough to notice.

2) i couldnt figure out how to move the rear bumper up 3". I was told that the front brackets from the ranger kit(853) would work but the holes didnt seem to line up, nor did the bracket on the driver side fit to where it was supposed to be (because of stock tow-hook).

3)my front bumper sags in the back. its very noticeable where it wraps around the sides to the front of the wheel well. i managed to fix most of the problem with a sawzall (little tabs on the bottom of the bumper, that used to hold the screws that held the air damn on, were hitting the end of the frame bar and keeping the bumper from sitting lined up vertically). but even with those removed it still doesnt sit straight and sags in the back.


Also have a question regarding the brushgaurd: Do i have to provide the metal shop with some sort of blueprints, or at least an explanation, of how they are going to make brackets? or can i just give them my brushgaurd and truck and let them figure it out?


Any info would be greatly appreciated.
later

 

[sean4385]

oh yea one more difference i noticed. It takes bumps alot harder then it had before. The rides alot rougher now, like its back to the way it was before i disconnected the sway-bars....
Before i lifted it i installed my new rancho's in just the rear, didnt get a chance to do the front yet. But im hoping the rougher ride isnt from this.... i thought new shocks are supposed to make the ride smoother right?

 

[sapogmxr]

youll get used to it. Its a Mans Truck now..

 

[Nate1]

1) Did you put the steering extension in?

 

[sapogmxr]

For your rear bumper this is the bracket you need to get made. Just bring this picture to a machine shop and have them make it for you.

For the front sag on the bumper get massive amount of washers and put them on the bolts. This will cause your bumper to come out more but it will make it level. I used about 12 washers on each of my bolts.

 

[sean4385]

Lol ok Sapo. i was actually looking for a real reason why, but i guess thats the truth.

and nweibley - yes i put the extension in....its not exactly connected the way the instuctions call for, but its there. The way i have it in might be making the shaft like a half inch longer than if it were on the right way, but would that be the cause??

 

[sapogmxr]

did you grind down the little piece inside of the shaft. You have to do this inorder for it to fit in all the way.

 

[sapogmxr]

yea. Just make sure the shaft slides right in. HAHAH

 

[sean4385]

yea the front bracket from the ranger kit 853 looks just like that, so i guess i have the right one....i just couldnt really figure out how to get it in. but then again i was so eager to finish the darn job i didnt really put as much effort into the rear bumper as i did the rest of the job. ill have to tackle that next weekend i guess.

Good idea with the washers, ill have to do that too.
thanks Sapo.

Is there anyone that dealt with the Brushguard problem that has any sort of blueprints or detailed plans for what i can do??

Thanks,
later

 

[sean4385]

i didnt grind that little nub down and no its not slid all the way up. i was test fitting it and it got jammed, i couldnt get it off(believe me i tried again and again many ways) but it was stuck. so i hammered it on as tight as i could and finished connecting the lower half.
so as of now the upper half isnt bolted to the extnesion, its just jammed on there, i was planning on welding around it to make sure it stays.
Either way its on there tight as hell and i doubt could be the cause of any steering problems, such as the stiffness im experiencing.

 

[tealtterror]

stearing stableizer

where can i get a stearing stableizer from not in a bl kit?

 

[sapogmxr]

the skematic of the bracket above is the bracket you have to get made in order to make your rear bumper lift. The front ones are shaped like U's. Im just clarifying that

 

[sean4385]

yea i know what you mean, thats exactly what the front bumper brackets from the ranger 853 kit look like, and from what i hear they can be used on the rear of the explorer. The U shaped front brackets i had to order from the ranger 883 kit, and they worked fine on my front.

in other words this is how the brackets work from the ranger lift i bought compared to my X.

PA ranger lift 853 Rear Brackets - discard, dont work for anything

PA ranger lift 853 front brackets - use on rear (look same as the blueprints you posted)


PA ranger lift 883 front brackets - use on front, must order separately

 

[sapogmxr]

Yea they look the same as the blue print but will not work. Youll see. You can try, everytruck is different but the bulk of them have to be made.

 

[sk1er17]

Heres how we did my brush guard. After this i used a grinder to get rid of the pointed edges and painted it with black enamel.

 

[sean4385]

Well if its not exact i could always just modify them right?? i was thinking of just drilling new holes in them or maybe making the holes longer if they really arnt gonna line up... and maybe cutting some off the ends if they really wont fit up next to the frame.

 

[sean4385]

thanks for the pic sk1er. How did you know mow much of the brushgaurd to cut out? do you have measurements by any chance??

 

[sk1er17]

it took 3 people...

if you look close you'll notice i didnt "cut-out" anything. My neighbor and i took an educated guess and made a straight cut down. then we mounted the two pieces on the frame like they would normally be... we then had two people hold the brushguard in place where i wanted it to sit after the mod... turned out that a 2.5" wide rectangular piece of steel fit in perfect... we prepped it- had two guys hold it in place, set a few tach welds. Decided it was sitting perfectly and finished the welds.

 

[Nate1]

Hehe, all you suckers with 98s-... us manik 99's can just drill new holes and make a small bracket to move our brush guards.... the drop brackets are huge. Mabey you guys could use our brackets for relocation?

 

[sk1er17]

that might not work either. if you can see in my pic- the brush guard not only had to go up, but it also had to go almost 2inches forwards. my way took less than 2 hours- its strong, looks great after a grinder and some black paint- and those welds are stronger than the metal the brush guards made out of. either way you go its gonna take some mods.