Insight... $$$

[redemption5525]

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[section525]

Anything bigger than a 2" (TT/Shackle) lift would be way overkill for 31" tires.

Adjust the torsion bars, buy some $60 Warrior shackles, get an alignment, and be done.

 

[1996explorerxlt]

TT and shackles might be enough but I think TT and shackles is really close or not enough for some trucks for 31"s. You may need to crank the TT some more than others, with War shackles and possibly some F150 rear springs to level it out too.

 

[marcwithaC]

I've spent $4,000 on my X. I have a 3" bl, 4" suspension planned (sitting in garage just need time to get it done). However I am also putting in aussie lockers, gears, did a manual hub conversion and I'm going with 35" tires and I got new rims. The suspension kit I got was about $1,200 dollars (skyjacker) and my body lift was around $130-$150 can't remember exactly. Hope that helps with the cost part of it. Oh, and install so far has cost (not including tools) about a 24 pack of mountain dew, haha. Pays to have friends who like working on cars.

Now, onto your project, I think 4" suspension and 3" bl is complete over kill for only wanting 31s. (and will look weird too I think, real small tires and a lot of lift looks weird to me) Like I said I'm going to be running 35s with the lift that you are thinking. TT and shackles should work, might need the coil spacers like somone mentioned. As for labor costs I couldn't tell you because I'm doing it myself but it will run a pretty penny I'm sure. To do it yourself will take time, tools, lots of PB blaster, and some know how. Hope this helps you out a little. Oh and quick question, what are you going to be doing with your ex? Offroad, street, snow, ect. That will help to know so we can be of more help to you.

 

[trj360]

I've spent $4,000 on my X. I have a 3" bl, 4" suspension planned (sitting in garage just need time to get it done). However I am also putting in aussie lockers, gears, did a manual hub conversion and I'm going with 35" tires and I got new rims. The suspension kit I got was about $1,200 dollars (skyjacker) and my body lift was around $130-$150 can't remember exactly. Hope that helps with the cost part of it. Oh, and install so far has cost (not including tools) about a 24 pack of mountain dew, haha. Pays to have friends who like working on cars.

Now, onto your project, I think 4" suspension and 3" bl is complete over kill for only wanting 31s. (and will look weird too I think, real small tires and a lot of lift looks weird to me) Like I said I'm going to be running 35s with the lift that you are thinking. TT and shackles should work, might need the coil spacers like somone mentioned. As for labor costs I couldn't tell you because I'm doing it myself but it will run a pretty penny I'm sure. To do it yourself will take time, tools, lots of PB blaster, and some know how. Hope this helps you out a little. Oh and quick question, what are you going to be doing with your ex? Offroad, street, snow, ect. That will help to know so we can be of more help to you.

You are in the wrong section. 2nd gens do not have coils.

OP, I ran 31s with no lift at all. If you want a little bit more clearance, then a torsion twist and shackles will do just fine.

 

[marcwithaC]

Haha, sorry didn't notice I was in the 2nd gen forum, and I ment new f-150 springs out back (like somone else mentioned). When I read the post I thought he said spacers but he said springs. Sorry for the confusion, I was in a hurry this morning.

 

[redemption5525]

sorry fellas i meant 33" tires not 31's, Snow is most likely the direction im going... I live in colorado so i have a lot of things I can use it for, off roading.. I would like to keep it as a somewhat daily driver... Im 240 lbs. and would like to have a big truck, everyone tells me to get a bigger car lol. Got this explorer for free so figured I would put money into it I am one of those people who likes a mean looking truck.. I want too black it out.. some chrome rock crawler wheels... I installed a b & m hammer shifter already.. very nice.. will take pictures...

So..
Lift
Wheels
Black
V8 5.0L engine
Torque monster headers
Flow master 40 dual exaust

Want this to be my pride. What ya think? Maybe just shackles torsion lift and 33"? Or is that enough for only 31's? Let me know! I appriciate all the words guys

 

[Ol' Blue]

I've spent $4,000 on my X. I have a 3" bl, 4" suspension planned (sitting in garage just need time to get it done). However I am also putting in aussie lockers, gears, did a manual hub conversion and I'm going with 35" tires and I got new rims. The suspension kit I got was about $1,200 dollars (skyjacker) and my body lift was around $130-$150 can't remember exactly. Hope that helps with the cost part of it. Oh, and install so far has cost (not including tools) about a 24 pack of mountain dew, haha. Pays to have friends who like working on cars.

Now, onto your project, I think 4" suspension and 3" bl is complete over kill for only wanting 31s. (and will look weird too I think, real small tires and a lot of lift looks weird to me) Like I said I'm going to be running 35s with the lift that you are thinking. TT and shackles should work, might need the coil spacers like somone mentioned. As for labor costs I couldn't tell you because I'm doing it myself but it will run a pretty penny I'm sure. To do it yourself will take time, tools, lots of PB blaster, and some know how. Hope this helps you out a little. Oh and quick question, what are you going to be doing with your ex? Offroad, street, snow, ect. That will help to know so we can be of more help to you.

In reference to the cost of a TT/Shackles, here in Grand Junction I found a well know exceptional shop to do mine, parts and all, for 120. I had prepared for alot more cost. Guess it was good though b/c I found a set of 33's on outlaws and it turns out I know the guy so he is giving them to me. Now to decide what direction to go with the rest of my lift. Maybe I will cut the fenders out like a Cherokee hahaha.

 

[section525]

For 33s you'll need to add a 3" BL or the 4" Suspension lift. Depending on how much you want to spend. I'd probably roll with the BL in your case.

Here's mine on 33s with the BL:

 

[Ol' Blue]

Nice Ex I was leaning that direction...I think you made up my mind. And that was the PA-883 lift correct? And how hard in general was that to install or did you have a shop do it?

 

[section525]

95-97 uses the PA-853
98-91 uses the PA-883

It's a pretty easy install. Just time consuming. I did mine about 6 years ago and undid it about 2 years ago. So, I probably forgot just how hard it was. :

 

[Ol' Blue]

thanks for the help. :notworthy Thats what I love about this site. I will get on that lift soon. Just as soon as the 78 Camaro is done Thanks again

 

[redemption5525]

section525, i read your sas thread about 3 weeks ago... was it worth it?

 

[section525]

section525, i read your sas thread about 3 weeks ago... was it worth it?

It was worth it to me. But about 60% of the reason I did it was for the actual build/fabrication of it, while the other 40% was for the final product. Did I need a solid axle? Probably not. Did I need to build and tinker on my Explorer? Yes. : It will definitely be an improvement over SLA while I'm out hunting Christmas trees in the snow though.

 

[Ol' Blue]

You guys are getting me all worked up...I was gonna go to bed about 3 hours ago...but all this talk about spending money I don't have and starting on new projects has me jonesing. It may be 1:30 a.m. here but Im gonnah go work on the beast. Also, I have a solid axle to do the SAS that I can get for free and brother-in-law knows how....would it be worth it? or :thumbdwn: ???

 

[section525]

Just know that there is a lot more to a SAS than just the axle.

You'll need to match the gears in your rear. You'll need a steering box. You'll need new wheels to match your new bolt pattern. Plus you'll need to run adapters in the rear if you want to have the same pattern as the front. The list goes on and on. I spent about $5k on mine. My axle was only $200. Although mine is far from stock, and has a few upgrades, you get the idea.

 

[Ol' Blue]

Yah...I like to feel kewl, but honestly, I will probably hold off for another year or so...pretty in-depth stuff. However, Im lucky to have a brother-in-law who knows what he's doing and has a lot of the stuff we will need. But, yah I see your point. By the way, on a scale of 1-10 (if thats not cliche enough) how well do you like your SA compared to stock IFS...in terms of wheeling that is

 

[redemption5525]

haha retorical question farley... ... alright well I like the way it looks with th body lift and 33's... I would love to do a solid axle swap but i have no know how on the process nor where to begin.. so ifin I decide to go that way section 525 im going to just drive to you and let you do it hah just kidding. Any issues with gaps anywhere after body lift? and also.. with a body lift can I do I tortion twist and shackle lift? Or will I be wearing out parts that way? Maybe I am thinking too small.. After driving my K5 blazer for the last 7 years I am tired of a HUGE lift (11 inches) and massive tires (40 super swampers)......who am i kidding.. I LOVE IT STILL>> but the explorer does not need to be that beastly.. just a little more.

So.

Body Lift
33' tires
V8
Headers
Flow
black
wheels
(updated suspension)
Maybe just black out the entire bottom of the car too lol, I am sick of seing rust.

^ what does everyone think of that list? Descent project ?? Worth it?? Sound appealing ??

 

[Ol' Blue]

Wait a minute...heyyy....you stole my list. Naw, that sounds like it would be a sweet rig. something just beefy enough for the colorado terrain...maybe even Imogene haha...I wouldnt dare. :roll: BTW Redemption, wherebouts in colorado do you live? anywhere near GJ?

 

[Ol' Blue]

I took the leap of faith to ELITE EXPLORER w00:biggthump