I need some help deciding how to lift my Sport Trac!

[tmbusch1s]

Hey everyone I have a 2002 sport trac. I am really wanting a way to lift it some and be able to put 33 x 12.50 tires under it. I thought about doing a suspension lift but it is just too much $. I figured that the best way is by doing a 3 inch body lift for the price. I am just really unsure if this is a smart decision. I don't know if 33 tires will fit and if there are any other methods to lift it that are low in price. I would really appreciate it if anyone could just tell their opinion. Thank you very much.

 

[John_Rock]

My truck on 35" tires with the 3" body lift and warrior shackles in the rear.

TxPlates' truck on the right on 35" tires with only the 3" body lift:

Kyle Schwulst's truck on 33" tires with only a 3" body lift:

.

 

[tmbusch1s]

Hey all those trucks look really good. My goal is to have 33x 12.50x15's, do you think I could just do a 3'' body lift, or could I just do Torsion Twist, and Shackles and still have the 33's? Also did you install the body lift yourself?

 

[John_Rock]

You need the 3" body lift. I don't recommend torsion twists.

It's good to have someone there to help out. My wife at the time helped me.

 

[tmbusch1s]

Thanks for the help, so I should definitely be okay just using the body lift? How long does it take to install the lift?

 

[John_Rock]

Thanks for the help, so I should definitely be okay just using the body lift? How long does it take to install the lift?

Well, everyone works at a different pace. But, give yourself a whole weekend incase you have any problems. One of the hardest parts is removing the body bolts. The body mounts will sometimes twist. I had to have my wife underneath the truck and trying to hold the body mount with a pair of big channel locks. Next time I think I will just get some flat steel and weld them to the bottom of the body mounts so they cannot twist. The 1st generation Explorers had like a square nut on the bottom of their body mounts.

Also check your body mounts before you do this. Sport Tracs have a common problem of the body mounts disintegrating and needing to be replaced.

You will have to do some metal cutting. A sawzall tool is recommended.

 

[danwaters]

Another option is a fabtech spindle lift for a ranger edge. The frame platform is the same so they fit with no modifications what so ever. 4-500 dollars for the spindles and it takes maybe 3 hours to install for someone who hasnt done it before. You can still run stock shocks even but you will fit 33s in the front no problem. As for the back with shackles or an AAL you can clear them in the rear.

If you are 2wd the spindles are cheap and easy...if 4wd they will not work

 

[chad551]

I suggest a SAS!!!!

 

[tmbusch1s]

so your saying if mine is a 4wd this won't work for me?

 

[John_Rock]

so your saying if mine is a 4wd this won't work for me?

If your truck is 4wd, you cannot use 2wd lift spindles.

 

[danwaters]

so your saying if mine is a 4wd this won't work for me?

yeah, sorry to say. I wasnt sure if you were 4x4 because i didnt see anything specific saying so. RCD has some decent lifts

 

[JohnnyO]

RCD quit making the Ranger/Explorer lift however.
For a late-model 4wd Ranger/Explorer/Trac your suspension lift options are limited to Superlift, which is pricey, and Dixon Brothers, which if you think Superlift is expensive, then you don't even want to know what Dixon Brothers costs. Although if money were no object I'd have Ranger or Trac with a Dixon Brothers kit in a heartbeat.
A body lift costs a lot less, fits 33's, and if you're not sure about installing it yourself then a body shop could probably do it for 4 to 6 hours of labor (get an estimate).
A torsion twist and shackles will fit a narrow 33" like a 33x10.50-15 or 285/75-16 but will not fit a wider 33x12.50-15 or 305/70-16.

 

[chad551]

I say SAS!!!!

 

[WatchThis!!]

If the OP is still interested I found this:

http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/x2-spi-for-04.htm

The description reads "Lifted Spindles Sport Trac Only We Do Not Have This Spindle". Not quite sure why they would advertise spindles they don't carry but it's whatever.

 

[gbeals]

Hey all those trucks look really good. My goal is to have 33x 12.50x15's, do you think I could just do a 3'' body lift, or could I just do Torsion Twist, and Shackles and still have the 33's? Also did you install the body lift yourself?

I did the 3" body lift and planned on doing the shackles but decided not to. I did do the torsion twist but only 1-1/4" to level the truck out. With the 33" tires and BL you will go up 6.5" in height. Just so you know.