Just Ordered Tires...

[wagoner2]

Just ordered a set of 265 70 17 BFG MT's for the expo, should be here in a couple days will post before and after pic's asap.

I also chickened out on the 3" RB spacer on the front and oredered a set of 2.5" spacers for the front. Truck will have a whole new look in the next couple weeks!

I am saving up for a new set of upper control arms so I can put the 3" spacers on.

Sorry for rambling...

 

[thepotroast]

Can't wait to see the pics.

You don't need new control arms for RB spacers.

 

[wagoner2]

Can't wait to see the pics.

You don't need new control arms for RB spacers.

I wish someone would make a final call on the 3" RB spacers. It seems like the opinion of the forum is about 70/30 that they are too much. I guess I could throw them on and if it looks like to much then I can change them out for the 2.5's when I get them...hadn't thought about that.

 

[thepotroast]

I wish someone would make a final call on the 3" RB spacers. It seems like the opinion of the forum is about 70/30 that they are too much. I guess I could throw them on and if it looks like to much then I can change them out for the 2.5's when I get them...hadn't thought about that.

Well as far as I know, the call was made by Ben that he no longer was producing the 3" front spacers because of the binding issues they were causing. He will make a max of a 2.5" front spacer, maybe that has changed...

I don't think it's a 70/30 split at all, there are quite a few people here running or who have run 3" spacers in the front, with pictures to boot. Personally I didn't want the unnecessary stress of a 3" spacer in the front so I went with 2.25" That combined with a 3" body lift on mine is more than enough space to clear 33's (285/75) which I am running now.

As far as your application is concerned, you don't need a 3" spacer lift to fit 265/70's. They would fit on the stock suspension, again....there are people on this forum who have that particular setup as well with pictures to boot.

If you are worried about your control arms and ball joints, don't go over a 2" spacer lift....you will obviously have enough clearance to run the tires (since you can run them on the stock height).

The only person here that has run a 3" spacer lift and complained about it (continuously) is 86explorer, but it's also noteworthy to mention that he is running 35" tires, stab bar disconnected for max flex and takes his rig offroad A LOT....His truck is also 2wd.

There are a handful of folks still running a 3" front spacer, however it does put a lot of stress on the ball joints. Because of this, I am pretty sure that Ben doesn't offer the 3" front spacer anymore....at least this is what he told me last month when I ordered my set....

The only person here who has replaced their upper arms with a 3" spacer setup is 86explorer, and it was custom fabbed for his app. None of the others running a 3" spacer have these upper arms, all are stock. You would be the second person running them...

I just wanted to mention those things, because in your initial post, it puts off the impression that if you install a 3" spacer you have to also swap the control arms....again, only 1 person has done this. No 70/30 split.

 

[wagoner2]

Well as far as I know, the call was made by Ben that he no longer was producing the 3" front spacers because of the binding issues they were causing. He will make a max of a 2.5" front spacer, maybe that has changed...

I don't think it's a 70/30 split at all, there are quite a few people here running or who have run 3" spacers in the front, with pictures to boot. Personally I didn't want the unnecessary stress of a 3" spacer in the front so I went with 2.25" That combined with a 3" body lift on mine is more than enough space to clear 33's (285/75) which I am running now.

As far as your application is concerned, you don't need a 3" spacer lift to fit 265/70's. They would fit on the stock suspension, again....there are people on this forum who have that particular setup as well with pictures to boot.

If you are worried about your control arms and ball joints, don't go over a 2" spacer lift....you will obviously have enough clearance to run the tires (since you can run them on the stock height).

The only person here that has run a 3" spacer lift and complained about it (continuously) is 86explorer, but it's also noteworthy to mention that he is running 35" tires, stab bar disconnected for max flex and takes his rig offroad A LOT....His truck is also 2wd.

There are a handful of folks still running a 3" front spacer, however it does put a lot of stress on the ball joints. Because of this, I am pretty sure that Ben doesn't offer the 3" front spacer anymore....at least this is what he told me last month when I ordered my set....

The only person here who has replaced their upper arms with a 3" spacer setup is 86explorer, and it was custom fabbed for his app. None of the others running a 3" spacer have these upper arms, all are stock. You would be the second person running them...

I just wanted to mention those things, because in your initial post, it puts off the impression that if you install a 3" spacer you have to also swap the control arms....again, only 1 person has done this. No 70/30 split.

Thanks for all the info, it really helps me...

I already have the 3"/2.5" spacers that I bought from another member, I am having Ben make me a set of 2.5" for the front. My truck is a DD and will be only mildly taken off road. I am not into any "crazy" or "xtreme" off roading. Just want to make it look more aggressive and a little more capable.

I think I am going to try putting the 3" spacers on and see how it does. The tires will be here before the new spacers. I have a lift and it doesn't look like it will be that hard to do.

As for the control arms, it is good to hear you think I don't need them. Another $600 I don't need to or want to spend.

 

[thepotroast]

Thanks for all the info, it really helps me...

I already have the 3"/2.5" spacers that I bought from another member, I am having Ben make me a set of 2.5" for the front. My truck is a DD and will be only mildly taken off road. I am not into any "crazy" or "xtreme" off roading. Just want to make it look more aggressive and a little more capable.

I think I am going to try putting the 3" spacers on and see how it does. The tires will be here before the new spacers. I have a lift and it doesn't look like it will be that hard to do.

As for the control arms, it is good to hear you think I don't need them. Another $600 I don't need to or want to spend.

As per the control arms, again...they are a custom fab arm....a 1-off in this case, nobody else is running them. This means not enough time for trial & error, testing, etc. Some members have already commented on how the arms show some weak areas and need improvement, but again this is from people who haven't used them and are only basing on pictures. The arms do look like a cool design, but personally I would wait until an updated version comes out or more people are using them to get some real feedback on them. Or you could be a pioneer and get the 2nd set....

In the same regards, Ben went through a lot of trial & error with his spacers, had "guinea pig" customers, and now look....he has revamped the spacers to fit and operate better, after a second run-through. The original design is the same (it's just metal slapped together with some welds) but we all now know about the sizing issues, etc.

Just do whatever works best for you man. Your money could be spent in better places than some beta control arms.

 

[Thelt]

I had a set of 2" front and back RB spacers on my Explorer for a while and I thought they were great. I had no issues with binding and it did not affect my ride quality much. I took them off and sold them because I planned to trade in my Explorer rather than rebuild the transmission. I ended up changing my mind and keeping it so I do not have a lift on it right now. I probably wont get another lift but just go with some 265s and stock height. It is not because of any problems with RB's lift though.

The only issue I had is that my ball joints have gone out. I have almost 140k on my car though so I am not sure the lift had anything to do with it. I have the new ball joints pressed in and plan to reinstall the control arms today or tomorrow. Much thanks to thepotroast on that one.

If I were going to use 3" up front I would go ahead and replace the ball joints with some Moog and then not worry about it.

 

[thepotroast]

I had a set of 2" front and back RB spacers on my Explorer for a while and I thought they were great. I had no issues with binding and it did not affect my ride quality much. I took them off and sold them because I planned to trade in my Explorer rather than rebuild the transmission. I ended up changing my mind and keeping it so I do not have a lift on it right now. I probably wont get another lift but just go with some 265s and stock height. It is not because of any problems with RB's lift though.

The only issue I had is that my ball joints have gone out. I have almost 140k on my car though so I am not sure the lift had anything to do with it. I have the new ball joints pressed in and plan to reinstall the control arms today or tomorrow. Much thanks to thepotroast on that one.

If I were going to use 3" up front I would go ahead and replace the ball joints with some Moog and then not worry about it.

I agree with replacing the ball joints if you have a high(er) mileage vehicle before putting the lift on. In my case, I had 126k miles on the truck before putting the lift on....my uppers weren't shot, but the rubber surround was practically gone, and exposing a joint to the elements is never good, so I did the ball joints at minimal cost, just took a full day's worth of labor by myself.

 

[wagoner2]

Where can you order the Moog ball joints? I think I have been on there site and couldn't find them. I will check it out again...

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

can't wait to see how they look on ur x

 

[thepotroast]

Where can you order the Moog ball joints? I think I have been on there site and couldn't find them. I will check it out again...

Moog K80008 available at most auto part stores. I bought mine from Advance Auto. They were about $40/ea

 

[wagoner2]

Moog K80008 available at most auto part stores. I bought mine from Advance Auto. They were about $40/ea

They are a direct match? Bolt right in? Heavier Duty?

 

[wagoner2]

can't wait to see how they look on ur x

Agreed!

 

[thepotroast]

They are a direct match? Bolt right in? Heavier Duty?

Yep, direct replacement. Check out my thread in my sig, you will see exactly what needs to take place to swap out the uppers. They also press out and press in, no unbolting.

You rent the press for free from AutoZone or wherever you get the ball joints from, that info is also in my post

 

[wagoner2]

Yep, direct replacement. Check out my thread in my sig, you will see exactly what needs to take place to swap out the uppers. They also press out and press in, no unbolting.

You rent the press for free from AutoZone or wherever you get the ball joints from, that info is also in my post

Thanks! Good Info!