Lift it? or just replace it?

[DeerSlayer]

First of all, I have done my research and searched all over the internet and this forum and I know the options availible I just don't know which lift is right for my Explorer.

Facts:
1. I Need to replace my stock Shackles they are rusted almost through.
2. I have a 1st Gen sport with the 3 leaf sport pack (Not a 4dr pack, not a mono leaf)
3. I don't have any noticeible sag left to right. If anything it might be less than .5" low in the rear.
4. I have a daily driver (mostly highway) with 150,000 miles that once in awile likes to go off road.

Questions:
1. For a 1.5-2" lift do I need longer shocks?
2. Has anyone Lifted only their rear end and not the front with the warriors or AAL for a 1.5-2" lift?
3. Can I get away without the Coil Spacers Up Front?


Goals:
1. Replace current Shackles
2. Stay under a 2 inch lift
3. Keep or stay close to current ride stability/ stiffness

I am going to replace the shackels anyways, do use Warriors and lift it or do I find stock/autozone replacements. The only thing I know is I don't think I want AAL, most people say they are to stiff. Would Stock Shackels and a newer 4dr leaf pack give me a slight lift?

Thanks for any imput, I know this subject has been beat to death with more than 40 posts (I know I've read them).

 

[BigDave!!!]

im not the expert on first gen but im pretty sure stock shocks would work with 2 inches of lift, yes get warriors and yes either coil spacers or longer coils. i know you can lift a 2nd gen 2 inches and stay with the stock shocks so it might be the same for you. AALs suck for ride quality but im pretty sure the ride quality will be almost the same if not the same with spacers and shackles. just my 2 cents and im sure other 1st gen owners will let you know exactly how the ride quality is.

 

[j602]

Stock shocks work fine with 2" of lift. Replace the shackles with Warriors. You'll stay under 2" of lift and retain the ride quality you have now.

 

[jimbo74]

i only ran warriors on my truck, no front lift on my old 94 4dr... never had a problem... and stock shocks were fine....

 

[kslhol]

I ran with shackles in the back and nothing in the front ( other than the body lift) and thought the rake in the front looked pretty good. Then I came across Dirtydogs Ex, in a local parking lot and realized how much better it looked than mine, and I had to lift the front.
. Glad I did it. Looks, and seems to drive way better with the F150 spacers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[drivehard]

is an alignment needed after just 2" of lift?

 

[j602]

Yes.

 

[DeerSlayer]

Thanks for all the imput guys! One last question: How much unstability do the Warriors cause?

 

[mynameisaric]

none. it raises your center of gravity by 1.5 to 2 inches, but its not enough to noticeably ruin your cornering ability. i have the shackles and a 2" Bl on my 2nd gen 4 door and i have no rear sway bar and i corner like a 17 year old, and havent flipped. so your 2 door with a shorter wheel base and less lift, with a sway bar should have no problems with stability. and btw, i have AAL too, but i got the single AAL and not the double AAL and my ride isnt rough. the only thing that makes my ride stiff is my TT up front, but the warrior shackles will work good for you. there made of beefy materials so they wont rust out on you, and they dont lift your truck a whole lot and you'll retain the same ride characteristics.

 

[jordan23]

I have an 01 Sport...not the same as a first gen...but I've lifted my rear with AAL and Warriors...kept the front stock height. The rear of my truck is about 3" higher than stock height...and has a more aggressive stance. I've added Poly bushings and EE endlinks and also added a thicker swaybar in the rear (EE swaybar...bushings etc).

I changed out my stock shocks are replaced them with Rancho 5000 all around and I truly think my vehicle corners MUCH better than it ever would've stock! The ride is also firmer and more responsive.

just my .02...

Jordan23