Lift Options?

[Cobra5O1]

Lift kits are expensive. Anybody know of any cheap ways to lift an ST that's not a body lift?

 

[OffTrac]

Lucky you! There's already a 28 page thread answering this exact question:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231158

Hope to see your photos in the lifted picture thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202351

 

[Cobra5O1]

I've heard bad things about body lifts but after reading through that it looks like the super lift is no good either. Idk what to do I might just do a body lift anyway. SAS sounds good but I have no idea what to get and what cost would be.

 

[TGtrac05]

Forget the bad things you have heard about body lifts. The performance accessories kits are top notch and nobody on here has ever had a problem with them. I don't do major offroading but a lot of people here do with body lifts and no worries.

 

[01STrunner]

Forget the bad things you have heard about body lifts. The performance accessories kits are top notch and nobody on here has ever had a problem with them. I don't do major offroading but a lot of people here do with body lifts and no worries.

I agree. I've done a lot of flexing and twisting since installing my body lift and have no complaints to date. The explorer/ST bodies seem to sit lower on the frames stock compared to regular pickups so a lot of worries about body lifts (like insanely high center of gravity) aren't as prevalent for us as say a Ranger or Colorado.

 

[Cobra5O1]

Well that's good to hear. Especially good news for my wallet! The only problem I've seen with then is the tow hooks on front. I will have to relocate them bc I like then and I don't want to cut the bumper for them to sit awkwardly down there

 

[01STrunner]

They aren't awkward at all. The cutting to fit the tow hooks is only on the plastic bumper cover and if you take just enough off, you can't even see the cuts unless you look for them. I don't have any closeups because I seem to have the only brushguard that I cant run tow hooks with.
If you really dont want to cut, Midnight Rebel has said that S-10/Blazer hooks will bolt up to our frames, without cutting IIRC.

 

[Cobra5O1]

Yea, I'll either do that or modify my stock hooks. A little cutting and welding should do the trick

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Yep, if you get a set of Checy S-10, Blazer/ GMC Sonoma, Jimmy, Oldsmobile Bravada to hooks they will bolt right up without having to cut up your bumper cover.

 

[Cobra5O1]

I'm not going to cut it. No way! Lol. I want the bumper to look stock from the front, but the truck to look beastly like it should be.

 

[05dakotatrac]

add-a-leaf and torsion twist is easy and cheap. add-a-leafs are only $35 and shackles are only bout $10 more and even easier to install both are 2" lift and torsion twist is just two bolts. so i vote that route over or with the body lift

 

[01STrunner]

But the chevy hooks look girly Just kiddin the truck will look beastly with those too.

05dakotatrac is right. Those lifts would be easier than a BL. The downside is the ride is stiffened up where the BL doesn't affect ride at all. If that doesn't worry you then those are good lifts to consider.

 

[Cobra5O1]

I'd rather do the body lift with torsion keys. I don't want to lose ride quality.

 

[tobeybj]

I'm pretty sure the consensus is that keys aren't necessary. Simply adjusting the bolts will gain you 2" front lift on a 4WD. Keys or torsion twist (TT) both load the torsion bars, affecting ride quality. The increased tire sidewall height and tread width seems to offset some of that difference and many have said "now it rides like a truck."

 

[Cobra5O1]

Well if the keys are the same, forget them! I just want my body lift and a level front end. Maybe new shocks

 

[Cobra5O1]

I've seen rancho quick lift springs, but they were for gen 2's and 2000+ explorer non ST.

 

[05dakotatrac]

keys are pointless just tighten the bolts to achieve as much or as little lift you want.

the quick lift are for the 3rd gen sploder, 4th gen sploder, and i believe the 2nd gen sport trac

 

[Cobra5O1]

keys are pointless just tighten the bolts to achieve as much or as little lift you want.

the quick lift are for the 3rd gen sploder, 4th gen sploder, and i believe the 2nd gen sport trac

Yea that's what I have seen, I wish they made em for our gen 1's