How would this look....

[TCO]

I am looking at getting a lift kit for my 1997 Explorer. I am thinking of a 2 inch body lift. The reason I am going with the body is 1) Cost: I am a high school student getting paid $6.25 an hour, 2) I just got new shocks 2 months ago, 3) Simplicity: I think it would be easier for me to put a body lift on rather than a suspension. I have Goodyear Wrangler tires (can't quite remember the size right now) that are not very old. I think that if I only go with a 2 inch lift and leave the tires on there it won't look out of proportion. Any suggestions on a good lift? or any other good ways to lift it?

Thanks

 

[Ranger379]

think they only have a 3inch BL, could be wrong, have to use the 93-97 Ranger bodylift and make your own bumper brakets. if u only want a small 2inch lift u can do torsion twist (free but have to get alignment) and rear shakles and add-a-leafs

 

[TCO]

I was just reading up on the TT and shackles. I may end up doing that. Do you think my 28 inch Wranglers would look out of proportion if I do it? I have seen some nice looking trucks that have smallish looking tires and it makes them look really goofy.

BTW: How much is an alignment running these days?

 

[LBarr2002]

My small town repair shop that I've known all my life, and my dad has known most of his, charges me $50.

 

[Millertime1987]

Its about $80 or so. Give or take area where you live and who you know.

 

[shawn_Lafleur]

think they only have a 3inch BL, could be wrong, have to use the 93-97 Ranger bodylift and make your own bumper brakets. if u only want a small 2inch lift u can do torsion twist (free but have to get alignment) and rear shakles and add-a-leafs

I have a 97 spt 4x4 and want to do the torsion twist but will it damage my truck. How many leafs should i get to make my truck level. I have a shop in my town that can custom make leaf but i need to know how many leaf to add so i can compare the price.

 

[Ranger379]

torsion twist dont hurt anything it just puts the front end out of allignment, so u just gotta go get an alignment. you can save your money buy buying some, rahter than having them made, 2 add-a-leafs (one on each side) will give u about 1-2 inchs (about the same for the torsion twist) and they are pretty cheap. oh i see u have a 2door sport, thost have monoleafs in the rear so i think u have to go get a 4-door leaf pack first

 

[CodePoet]

You could do the body lift, and tt/shackle lift. Then sell the nearly new tires privately and then buy a good used set of 32's pretty cheaply. As soon as you lift it you will want a bigger tire, I can gaurentee it. If you want to keep your current tires then I would not lift it at all and instead invest in some body/underbody protection such as sliders and skid plates

 

[joshuaj0214]

i would recomend doing the TT and add a leafs or shackels for the back. i did the TT and add a leafs first with 29 in. tires and it didnt look bad at all. any more lift and i would recomend more tire.

 

[Yeeehaw86]

i would recomend doing the TT and add a leafs or shackels for the back. i did the TT and add a leafs first with 29 in. tires and it didnt look bad at all. any more lift and i would recomend more tire.

Definitely agree. however, if you do a TT, you lose 2 inches or so, (correct me if i'm wrong here), of downward travel in your front suspension. also, you will wear out your cv joints much faster than if you just did a body lift. I have both the ranger body lift and I did the TT, with some ghetto shackels and aal's. I reccomend all of them, just make sure you know that your ride will not be as soft with the TT, and if you lift it much with stock size tires, it will be really top heavy. just my $0.02