Lift questions...

[bronco_dan]

Hey guys... So first let me apologize. I pretty much know nothing about suspensions and I bought this rig this way so don't know much about what has been done to it...

Here is what I do know. It has 32x11.5x15 tires on it. The tires on the back are really worn on the inside and the tires up front are brand new. So, I'm assuming the back tires got moved there when the front tires were replaced. The front sits noticeably higher than the back (which seems to be "normal" for Explorers). I've noticed some noise up front when I make turns left or right. On the right, passenger side, shock I noticed it is rubbing against some rubber padding. I will try to get a picture of this.

I don't know what stock hardware looks like but it doesn't seem to be much taller than any other sport that I've seen in the area. I've read about the Torsion Twist and how it can effect CV joints. This has me wondering if that is what I have going on here. How can I tell if the torsion bolts are beyond what would be considered acceptable? There is about 1" from the head of the bolt to the point that it would be completely screwed in. Does this mean anything? I wouldn't mind bringing the front end down some. Is this safe to do if it has aftermarket suspension gear?

I'm going to take it to the local Discount Tire to get some new rubber out back and to have them check out my alignment up front. Just trying to get a quick education before going in.

Thanks for any info and suggestions.

 

[AccordRanger]

I looks to have way too much TT done to it. Looks like lift springs in the back too.

 

[bronco_dan]

TTT.... still need the info...

 

[blueka]

you can lower the front probably an inch without any adverse effects on your suspension.

Looks like someone's fitted either 4dr leaf packs or a set of lifting springs in the back, most sports suffer sag as they usually only have a single rear leaf (which sucks)

Hope that helps....


Si

 

[bronco_dan]

How many leafs should the stock 4x4 have? Do you know what the torsion bolt position normally is?

 

[blueka]

I think the last of the sports came with multi-leaf spring packs, but before that it was single leafs with 3 spacer blockers.

As for how long the bolt should be, I'm not sure, take a measurement of all 4 wheel arches to see how high each one is.

Have a look at the thread for doing a torsion twist ( I think it's called lifting for under $300) and instead of turning the bolt to go up, turn it the other way to go down.


Si

 

[AccordRanger]

I would say crank the t-bars down atleast 1"-2". Can you get any closer pics of the leaf springs, and a shot of the front suspension?

 

[bronco_dan]

Ya I'm gonna try to snap some photos this weekend...

 

[corkey]

that thiong looks weird, way too much tt, look at the a arms in the front from a few yards ahead of it and see what kind of angle they are on, if like this/---\ it is too much,,
there should be just a short drop to the ball joint, but not much,
and remember that if you adjust the t bars that you will need to set the toe again,,
probably why the tires got moved to the back, they didn't set the toe,,

 

[gavin]

check the ride-height

RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

To perform the ride height check and adjustment requires the use of special slip plates under the front wheels. These plates allow the front suspension to properly settle by bypassing the tires adhesion to the ground.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. If equipped with ARC suspension, disconnect the front and rear air lines at the shock absorbers.

2. Position frictionless slip plates under the tires then lower the vehicle onto the slip plates.

3. Bounce the vehicles front and rear suspensions several times to normalize the vehicle static ride height.

4. Measure the distance between the center of the lower control arm bushing bolt and the ground. Record the measurement as dimension A.

5. Measure the distance between the lowest point of the steering knuckle (but not the ball joint) and the ground. Record the measurement as dimension B.

6. Subtract dimension B from dimension A for ride height.

7. For vehicles without ARC suspension, ride height should be 4.33-4.56 in. (110-116mm). (Service Manual actually says it could be as low as ~3.5" with "worn"/used components. 4.33-4.56in is for "new" components)
8. For vehicles with ARC suspension, ride height should be 3.26-3.50 in. (83-89mm).

9. To increase the ride height, raise the vehicle and tighten the torsion bar adjuster bolt. Recheck the ride height.

10. To decrease the ride height, raise the vehicle and loosen the torsion bar adjuster bolt. Recheck the ride height.

11. Once proper ride height is established, raise and support the vehicle.

12. If equipped with ARC suspension, connect the front and rear air lines at the shocks.

13. Remove the slip plates from under the wheels.

14. Lower the vehicle.

looks like maybe it has a 1 or 2" body lift?

 

[AccordRanger]

Doesn't look like a body lift. No gap in the wheel wells.

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

if there's about an inch of thread still on the torsion bolts, my guess is it has aftermarket torsion keys.