HELP!!!! I NEED A 3-4" LIFT

[ricklorion]

I need a 3-4" lift for my 95' X 2WD. I have found a 3" spindle lift kit from Explorer Pro Comp, but will that hold up if I want to beat it up?

 

[410Fortune]

What are you trying to do? Fit bigger tires?

for 95+ IFS lift kits, especially 2wd I like to send people here:
www.dezertrangers.com

research is key.

 

[ricklorion]

What are you trying to do? Fit bigger tires?

for 95+ IFS lift kits, especially 2wd I like to send people here:
www.dezertrangers.com

research is key.

I want an all-around good lift to beat the hell out of. Yes, 33X12R15 Dirt Grip. :exp:

 

[410Fortune]

May I suggest Camburg just be prepared to spend $$$$

 

[j602]

Do you plan on jmuping it? (I assume you do since it's 2wd, you live in Califronia, and you want to beat the hell out of it). If so, then the spindles would probably be fine for some milder jumping but if you want more serious stuff, look at companies like the ones 410 is suggesting.

 

[ricklorion]

Do you plan on jmuping it? (I assume you do since it's 2wd, you live in Califronia, and you want to beat the hell out of it). If so, then the spindles would probably be fine for some milder jumping but if you want more serious stuff, look at companies like the ones 410 is suggesting.

Yes, but not that much. But a regular 3" spindle lift should be fine? And I already emailed Camburg

 

[prozachappy]

You don't wan't to jump anything with a spindle lift!!! If your just gonna be takin some small whoops...then maybe...but not for any extended amount of time, especially without some resi's or other aggressive shocks. My advice..save your money and do it right the first time. If your serious about jumping, you need to look into coilovers...w/ hoops & engine cage..and more. Camburg doesn't have a specific kit for the 95+ Explo's T-bar/A-arm set-up...but pretty sure their new Edge kit will work with minor mods. Like 410 says...go over to the DR forum www.dezertrangers.com these guys know whats up, and can point you in the right direction. Try Steve...or Jerry over at Camburg too.

 

[ricklorion]

You don't wan't to jump anything with a spindle lift!!! If your just gonna be takin some small whoops...then maybe...but not for any extended amount of time, especially without some resi's or other aggressive shocks. My advice..save your money and do it right the first time. If your serious about jumping, you need to look into coilovers...w/ hoops & engine cage..and more. Camburg doesn't have a specific kit for the 95+ Explo's T-bar/A-arm set-up...but pretty sure their new Edge kit will work with minor mods. Like 410 says...go over to the DR forum www.dezertrangers.com these guys know whats up, and can point you in the right direction. Try Steve...or Jerry over at Camburg too.

Thank you. I thinking I want to have the X with the spindle lift, I might get 94 X and take it to Camburg. What makes the spindle lift make it different from others?

 

[prozachappy]

There is nothing wrong with a lift spindle...in fact they are usually a little stronger than stock ones. But if I understand you right...your wanting to moab your truck in the desert. When you get into the sport of prerunning your looking at a lot of stress on your suspension. When you talk about getting all four wheels off the ground...you have to take many things into consideration. I'm not going into details, but not only do you need hella suspension and shocks (front & rear), but you need your engine caged or chained down at least, limiting straps, bumpstops,...and soo much more. My X has the Camburg 5.5 on it and still its only good for the mild sh$T. Honestly, I've had it off the ground a few times...and there is nothin smooth about it.
Stick with the 95...you got A-arms...which are a better set-up then I-beams for desert running IMO. Lot of fab companies out there doing A-arm set-ups, especially in SoCal. Like above...if your serious about the sport...go over to the DR forum. Read/search/learn. Here's a thread to get you started:
http://www.desertrides.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1992&highlight=this
this is what you would need to do to your explorer to safely get up off the ground. Keep in mind there engines are also caged

 

[410Fortune]

A arms are great but they are alot more expensive to set up them beams

If you want air you need bump stops and alot more....

 

[ricklorion]

Ok, I figured out that I want to turn my X into a 4by. Do you think that I should swap my IFS to SAS?

 

[j602]

Not if you wanna jump it. Keep the 2wd IFS. If you want an all-around good wheeler, then yes, SAS 4wd would be a good idea but it's a lot of work. Search and find out some info before you start.

 

[410Fortune]

Now you want to convert it to 4x4 and for desert use?

Okay now if you want to mob in the sand 2wd is just fine, IMO 4x4 is always better, but its ALOT more $$$ to set up for desert use then 2wd IFS.
If you are building a trail truck and will ocassionally use it in the sand then a solid axle would be fine, and the prefered and cheapest method to convert your truck to a 4x4.

If you want to mob it in the sand, stick with 2wd, or plan to build a custom front A arm suspension, I would say $10K will get you started unless you are doing all the fabrication yourself.

 

[ricklorion]

Now you want to convert it to 4x4 and for desert use?

Okay now if you want to mob in the sand 2wd is just fine, IMO 4x4 is always better, but its ALOT more $$$ to set up for desert use then 2wd IFS.
If you are building a trail truck and will ocassionally use it in the sand then a solid axle would be fine, and the prefered and cheapest method to convert your truck to a 4x4.

If you want to mob it in the sand, stick with 2wd, or plan to build a custom front A arm suspension, I would say $10K will get you started unless you are doing all the fabrication yourself.

No, I want to convert it over to a trail rig. Kind of hard to go 4wheelin' with 2 wheels.
I figured that I could use a 8.8" in the front, but I have to research.

 

[410Fortune]

8.8 does not have steering knucles
You need a dana 30 or dana 44 solid axle for the font, the solid axle conversion and addition of a trans case.
This has been performed and covered several times so you just need research.

 

[ricklorion]

This has been performed and covered several times so you just need research.

I know, I wasn't about ask anybody again.
I did find a small little help on: 2WD to 4WD conversion

 

[410Fortune]

There are several Gen II trucks that have converted to 4wd and solid axles, if you cant find it seraching ask and will help with the search.
Lizardtrac was one of the first trucks on this forum to ditch the IFS and go 4x4 with a leaf sprung solid front axle.

 

[ricklorion]

I have found multiple Dana 44 axles for sale and very cheap. I am just wondering if it would be best to get everything out of a Bronco and work with what's there. Advance adapters does not carry anything for my auto tranmission. I just might go to a manual trans (which I know zero about). I am off to find more info.

 

[410Fortune]

okay you are off to a good start.
Ford built the 95 Explorer automatic with your engine (4.0L OHV) with a low range transfer case, so who says you need advance adapters to get a low range to case in your truck? you need a donor truck.

D30's and D44's are not hard to come buy, and can be had cheaply, especially if you pull it yourself, in CA it can be harder (less 4x4's). They often require a complete rebuild/regear/brakes, ball joints, locker, etc so it gets expensive real fast.

The next step is to decide if you want leaf springs or coil springs.

Steering, trac bar, radius arms, trans crossmemeber, driveshafts, real spring over axle conversion, there is alot to consider.

This has been and can be done in so many different ways before you just into it decide what you want to get out of it and how much $$$ you want to spend.

Look at Jefe's truck for example, solid axle up front, Rubicon express long arm 4 link kit with coilovers, custom brackets, engine cage, etc. That is what you call doing it right the first time, however its also $$$$ even when you weld up all teh custom fab yourself

It does not take nearly that much fabrication to install a early bronco Axle under your truck or even a full size ford D44, complete with radius arms, brackets, coil buckets, etc. the EB axles are almost stock width for an explorer (to match the rear)

 

[ricklorion]

okay you are off to a good start.
Ford built the 95 Explorer automatic with your engine (4.0L OHV) with a low range transfer case, so who says you need advance adapters to get a low range to case in your truck? you need a donor truck.

D30's and D44's are not hard to come buy, and can be had cheaply, especially if you pull it yourself, in CA it can be harder (less 4x4's). They often require a complete rebuild/regear/brakes, ball joints, locker, etc so it gets expensive real fast.

The next step is to decide if you want leaf springs or coil springs.

Steering, trac bar, radius arms, trans crossmemeber, driveshafts, real spring over axle conversion, there is alot to consider.

This has been and can be done in so many different ways before you just into it decide what you want to get out of it and how much $$$ you want to spend.

Look at Jefe's truck for example, solid axle up front, Rubicon express long arm 4 link kit with coilovers, custom brackets, engine cage, etc. That is what you call doing it right the first time, however its also $$$$ even when you weld up all teh custom fab yourself

It does not take nearly that much fabrication to install a early bronco Axle under your truck or even a full size ford D44, complete with radius arms, brackets, coil buckets, etc. the EB axles are almost stock width for an explorer (to match the rear)

Like you said:
Oknut
12-30-2000, 10:49 AM
You could do it a little differently.

-Get a dana 44 out of an early model bronco
-Convert it into leaf springs in the front
-Get an adaptor from James Duff so you can use a stock t-case
-Do a spring over

I could see how you could that for about 2k.

All the best wishes for the new year
_____________________
From: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-22555.html

I am going to go to Pick-a-part they have 5 billion junked trucks over there, should I pull the T-case from a 1970's(?) Bronco?