Hey everyone, I'm new to this

[JamesRolls5.0]

So I just passed my permit test like 2 months ago and I was gifted a 1998 ford explorer 5.0 for a first car, I have been driving since about 13 (im 16 now) so I do have very basic know how and etc ( I think )

on to the question - I want a real off road look to my truck but I want as much go and performance as show
I want to start with suspension,
What suspension changes should I begin with ?
I was figuring a few inch lift would be a start right ?

As far as price I am willing to go for something if it's well worth it
I usually don't like to skimp out but then again I don't have sacks of money either hahah

Sorry this is rather lengthy and TIA

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the shocks, suspensions, and lift kits section.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Welcome to the forum! :wavey:

My advice- check the lifts subforum. You can get a few inches of lift with a torsion twist and Warrior shackles.

What would I do? I'd drive it for a few months to find out what you might have to replace as far as wear items, because without a doubt some things will need to be fixed/replaced. I'd replace them rather than spend money on a lift right away and then not be able to drive it because something goes bad under the hood and you have no money to fix it because you just spent everything you had to make it look good...

Good looking rigs that don't run are worthless...

 

[JamesRolls5.0]

The engine (5.0) just had a full tune up And it pretty much spotless
Besides a few odd and ends it seems to be in pretty sweet condition according to my uncle (off roader since like birth )

Anyways I know for a fact that the front shocks need to go
Should I just do all 4 ? Since the rear may have to go in the near future ?
I was thinking about bilstein

Any recommendations ?
Trucks a 5.0 XLT 1998

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well, it depends on what you're going to do with it- is it going to be an off-roader, or on-roader? Completely different shocks.

My thought wasn't with regards to how it runs or looks, more on the sensors, suspension stuff, and the nitpick stuff that adds up but you don't know you need or want until you spend some seat time in it, and those "odds and ends" add up quickly...

If the front shocks are gone, replace them all, the rears are gone too. But, decide what you want to do with it first so you're not buying parts twice.

Not trying to be the guy saying "you're young, don't spend money on that stuff" I'm only saying before you buy stuff to make it a modded truck, make sure it's a solid stock truck with regards to the parts that matter... Then spend freely, the economy needs the spurring... lol

 

[JamesRolls5.0]

I deff understand what your saying
And I would honestly like to make an off roader
I usually go upstate NY often and I plan to go to college there and ive seen the trucks you need just to get around in the winter time

And I also know it's not the truck but the driver lol

As far as getting the feel and etc I plan on doing the shocks and then waiting to see what I really need rather then want
And yes I'm rather young n new to this but hey
Who wasnt ?

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[1AJeremyD]

Welcome to the forum! Definitely weigh all the options too! There are a ton of performance aftermarket stuff out there! Sometimes its better to save up for the good stuff you want then skimping and getting the cheap fix now!