Lift question

[19EX93]

I have read the forum and searched everything i have an idea but i want to ask specifically to what i have.

I have a 93 Explorer with 94k on it. I would like to lift it a little bit just go give it a better stance and small forest road type offroading. I came across this on Ebay and figured i would ask and see if it will be ok. I figured with the lower miles i wont have to do the shocks and all that (just yet!) haha.

Here is the link to the lift.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AR-1991-199...ts=Model:Explorer&hash=item4170cb444f&vxp=mtr

Or should i do something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-1996-F...ts=Model:Explorer&hash=item20c424985b&vxp=mtr

 

[Anime]

The coil spacers from either kit might be ok, but the "lift blocks" aren't going to do any lifting on a stock Explorer, since the leaf springs are UNDER the axle, and adding blocks would LOWER the truck 2 inches, not lift it. To get a lift from any blocks, you'd have to put the leaf springs over the axle (SOA), which gives 5.5 inches of lift by itself.

If you want a budget 1.5 - 2 inch lift, you might be better off sticking with the tried-and-true F-150 coil spacers for the front, and either add-a-leafs or Warrior WAR153 shackles for the rear.

You can also buy coil springs for the 91-94 Explorer that give 1.5-2" of lift from companies like Rough Country and Skyjacker, then just use WAR153 Warrior shackles for the rear. Add-a-leafs give a small lift at first, but then sag like any other spring. They are mostly suited for compensating for spring sag from towing heavy loads, since they also give a firmer spring rate.

Whatever method you choose, remember to get new alignment adjusters since the front end will now have lots of positive camber until you use new hardware.

 

[Jason94sport]

You could also just change your tires to bigger ones. That will actually raise your X a little & gain some look. Will fill the wheel wells out too. 30X9.5 should fit with zero modification. 31X10.5 may require some trimming in the front.

 

[19EX93]

The coil spacers from either kit might be ok, but the "lift blocks" aren't going to do any lifting on a stock Explorer, since the leaf springs are UNDER the axle, and adding blocks would LOWER the truck 2 inches, not lift it. To get a lift from any blocks, you'd have to put the leaf springs over the axle (SOA), which gives 5.5 inches of lift by itself.

If you want a budget 1.5 - 2 inch lift, you might be better off sticking with the tried-and-true F-150 coil spacers for the front, and either add-a-leafs or Warrior WAR153 shackles for the rear.

You can also buy coil springs for the 91-94 Explorer that give 1.5-2" of lift from companies like Rough Country and Skyjacker, then just use WAR153 Warrior shackles for the rear. Add-a-leafs give a small lift at first, but then sag like any other spring. They are mostly suited for compensating for spring sag from towing heavy loads, since they also give a firmer spring rate.

Whatever method you choose, remember to get new alignment adjusters since the front end will now have lots of positive camber until you use new hardware.

Wouldn't the 2nd link be exactly what you said with the add-a-leaf and the spacers? they just wont be f-150 spacers.. or should i look specifically for the F-150 spacers? and Warrior Shackles?

 

[Anime]

The spacers in either kit would probably be fine, but for the price, $100, I would think you could do better and get a more permanent lift in the back with Warrior WAR153 shackles.

Generic internet-brand-name components tend to be cheap-o stuff that's made in China from the least expensive metal. Add-a-leafs sag anyways, but a cheap add-a-leaf might sag before you get much lift out of it.

 

[19EX93]

The spacers in either kit would probably be fine, but for the price, $100, I would think you could do better and get a more permanent lift in the back with Warrior WAR153 shackles.

Generic internet-brand-name components tend to be cheap-o stuff that's made in China from the least expensive metal. Add-a-leafs sag anyways, but a cheap add-a-leaf might sag before you get much lift out of it.

Got it ok, thanks man. i will go with the spacers and warrior shackles. Where should i go about looking for the Warrior WAR153 shackles and the f-150 coil spacers?

 

[Anime]

2WD F-150 spacers you'd get from a Ford dealer, the WAR153 shackles you get from an off-road shop.

You can also post a thread in the "Wanted" forum, plenty of people sell their spacers/shackles when going to a full lift kit and you can score both for a low price from someone selling or who kept their old parts but didn't think to sell them yet.

 

[19EX93]

I will check that out but i think i'm going with another route, going with the ProComp front 2inch leveling kit.

http://www.procompusa.com/prodDetail.aspx?partNo=EXPK4085&catID=1&ptID=3533

Then just going to order 2 inch shackle set and a add-a-leaf. Little more expensive but i get shocks and all.

 

[Anime]

That levelling kit is for an F-150, not an Explorer. Even if the spring fits, it'll be REALLY stiff and ride like a dump truck.

If you want a front spring kit that lifts the front 1.5-2", comapnies like Skyjacker and Rough Country make them for the Explorer.

You'd only need a set of Warrior WAR153 shackles to lift the rear, if you use add-a-leafs with the shackles, you'd lift the rear closer to 3".

 

[19EX93]

Ok, I'm going to get my buddy to help me get everything set.I'm used to lifting 70's and 80's chevy pickups with no issue, Not used to trying to get **** together for a budget lift on this explorer. I can't seem to find the right **** lol.

 

[19EX93]

.

 

[mr cribb]

use google

I used google with search term war153 shackles, here's a link:

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/warrior-shackles-war153.html

 

[19EX93]

Yeah, i found some also. I miss spelled warrior.. Brain fart. Would it be better to have the ass end up higher to counter-react the sag?

 

[Anime]

Generally my suggestion is to use the WAR153 shackles (or an add-a-leaf) and while the springs are off, swap them from left to right and right to left, this makes up a bit for the sag that the driver's side spring gets over time from the gas tank and the driver being on that side, and you'll get a more level back end.

You really don't want the back end up TOO high, because that affects the front end alignment. That may sound odd but the angle of the body/frame front to back does affect the caster and can be the difference between even tire wear and wearing out the shoulder of tires. Don't ask me how I know this. Unless you get drop brackets for the front, there is a limited amount of lift you can get and compensate for with an alignment. The warriors and lift springs or spring spacers should give you the max lift without anything else besides an alignment in the front.

If you want to make it a little easier/cheaper, you can just get the warriors for the rear, and make your own washer lift spacers for the front for a few bucks:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/WasherCoilSpacers.htm

The great thing about using washers is you can get the perfect height, adding just the amount of washers to get the amount of lift to match the rear (after it settles), that is alignable.

 

[19EX93]

I'm not worried about the alignment issue's i do those all the time. I will figure something out since that link i posted earlier is for an f-150 i will do the shackles and the 2'' spacers up front. On my buddies old explorer we went to do the SOA on it and his bolts towards the front looked to be welded on. Is that the case for all of the springs? Looked to be factory he was the original owner had it since 94.

 

[Anime]

The front bolts on the leaf springs, while not welded on, sometimes might as well be, as the rust from years of rain and snow being thrown in there, being in front of the rear tires, has melded the bolts to the metal insert of the bushings.

Generally the best solution is to break out the reciprocating saw or cut-off tool and just chop off the bolt on either side of the leaf spring, there's just enough space between the spring eye and the hanger bracket to do it without damage to the spring or bracket.

You can either press out the metal insert and use another, or just chop up/burn out/push out the old bushing and get new polyurethane bushings instead. Use new 14mm bolts and metal locknuts, the same as that will come with the WAR153 shackles.

 

[19EX93]

Got it ok. Now last question. Shocks, With it being only a 2 inch do i have to get extended shocks or can i get away with getting stock length shocks? When it comes to shocks i don't know much if anything at all.

I keep eyeing these, which say will work for my truck. I can get both the front and rear for $130 plus.

http://www.amazon.com/Gabriel-34076...explorer&keywords=1993+ford+explorer+shocks+2

 

[Anime]

Stock length shocks are fine for a 1.5-2" lift. You can also get lower shock mounts with attached skid plates that raise the lower shock mount 2" or so, effectively taking advantage of the lift to raise the lowest point on the vehicle and still have full rear travel and damping.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194016

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108007

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381455

I'd advise against load-carrying shocks with coilover springs, the stock shock mounts are not load-bearing. Some people use them, but I was a lot happier with the performance when I switched from air shocks to Bilsteins.

 

[19EX93]

Thank's for all the info buddy, I Appreciate it.