Fitting 33's or 35's

[Blackdog]

Im gettig ready for my Explorer project. I have not purchased it yet. I want it to wear perferably 35's when I'm done. I would settle for 33's. Everyone is telling me to go with the first gen as they are easyier and cheaper to lift. I woud rather go with something a little newer. What does it take to get 35's or 33's on your second gen trucks? Is IFS a total POS?

The truck will be a trail machine not a rock crawler. I have the shop and experience to do a SAS but I'd rather not have to do it for several months.

Thanks

 

[johnb13]

with the second gens you can fit 33x12.5-15 with a 4 inch superlift/trailmaster. which will be between $1400-$1700 for the lift.
or you could do soa in the rear and superlift with a torsion twist up front and clear 35's.

 

[Blackdog]

with the second gens you can fit 33x12.5-15 with a 4 inch superlift/trailmaster. which will be between $1400-$1700 for the lift.
or you could do soa in the rear and superlift with a torsion twist up front and clear 35's.

Can IFS handle 35's? I like the idea of the SOA in back, How much $$ for the front lift? Any problem doing a gear swap on IFS?

I have been building Scouts, Jeeps, and FJ's since the early 70's. I have never lifted a IFS, so this is a new challange. Thanks

 

[Jefe]

Fitting 35's on a 2000

 

[Blackdog]

OK, I'll go 33"s with Superlifts 4" lift. I'll regear to 4:54's. I want to keep the IFS, it should last with 33"s right?

After living with straight axles for 30 years I'm very ready for IFS!

Now to find a second Gen Sport. The goal here is to have a completed rig for around 10K.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

ya you should be fine you might as well do an SOA conversion and TT the front just becuse SOA gives you so much more clearance

 

[Blackdog]

ya you should be fine you might as well do an SOA conversion and TT the front just becuse SOA gives you so much more clearance

Is this a better way to go than the Superlift kit? When you say "TT" I believe that means cranking the torque tubs right?

 

[johnb13]

what he means is go with the SOA in the rear, which will give you 5-6" and the superlift kit in the front which is about 4" and the TT up front will even everything out. Giving you enough room to clear 35's.

 

[boominXplorer]

what he means is go with the SOA in the rear, which will give you 5-6" and the superlift kit in the front which is about 4" and the TT up front will even everything out. Giving you enough room to clear 35's.

Thats enough for 33's unless you want to cut the CRAP out of your fenders. I have a 5" RCD coilover kit up front, SOA in the rear, 3" body lift and before I put my front fiberglass fenders and my aftermarket bumper I had to trim some still. I am running 15x10 wheels with 4" backspacing and 35x12.50 tires.

Check my photo gallery for pics

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

yeah i ment that go with the superlift the TT and an SOA conversion with maby 34's.....(as in the 285's..or whatever they are) because if your felxing really hard you might rub a little on the fenders with 35's

 

[Blackdog]

Thats enough for 33's unless you want to cut the CRAP out of your fenders. I have a 5" RCD coilover kit up front, SOA in the rear, 3" body lift and before I put my front fiberglass fenders and my aftermarket bumper I had to trim some still. I am running 15x10 wheels with 4" backspacing and 35x12.50 tires.

Check my photo gallery for pics

I'd love to have the 35's but I don't want to cut the crap out of a nice rig to make them fit. Guess I'll be happy with the 33's and the Superlift kit. I still question the longivity of IFS with 35's. This is my first IFS off road rig so I'm still learning.

 

[boominXplorer]

I'd love to have the 35's but I don't want to cut the crap out of a nice rig to make them fit. Guess I'll be happy with the 33's and the Superlift kit. I still question the longivity of IFS with 35's. This is my first IFS off road rig so I'm still learning.

Well If you keep it properly aligned then wear is minimised. When offroading with larger tires (33+) you put alot of stress on the factory components. Its not uncommon to break or bend an inner tie rod. The more aggressive tire, the more wear on your balljoints due to vibration. The only non replacment part I have damaged while wheeling with IFS is my front crossmember. To fix I had to dissassemble the front end and beat it out where the arms mount with a 5 lb hammer.

 

[Blackdog]

Well If you keep it properly aligned then wear is minimised. When offroading with larger tires (33+) you put alot of stress on the factory components. Its not uncommon to break or bend an inner tie rod. The more aggressive tire, the more wear on your balljoints due to vibration. The only non replacment part I have damaged while wheeling with IFS is my front crossmember. To fix I had to dissassemble the front end and beat it out where the arms mount with a 5 lb hammer.

Nice Mountineer, how did you deal with the AWD? I have not bought the project yet and the V8 seems like the way to go. I do need a low range though.

 

[boominXplorer]

Well AWD is the problem. My transfercase is dead right now. I am going to be doing a swap from a F150. Seach 4406 swap on the site. I am going to be using a 4406 Manual transfer case, Expedition front and rear driveshafts.