Photos Lifted Sport Tracs Picture Thread!

[alvolski73]

Any opinions on this kit? http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORGED-TORSION-KEYS-SPRINGS-FRT-1-3-REAR-1-5-2-LEVELING-LIFT-KIT-2WD-4WD-T59-/170874733184?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AExplorer+Sport+Trac&hash=item27c8ed8280&vxp=mtr

 

[LONO100]

I think that bracket holds bikes.

 

[interscope8]

Any opinions on this kit? http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORGED-TORSION-KEYS-SPRINGS-FRT-1-3-REAR-1-5-2-LEVELING-LIFT-KIT-2WD-4WD-T59-/170874733184?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AExplorer+Sport+Trac&hash=item27c8ed8280&vxp=mtr[/QUOTE

The link won't work on my phone, but I read the URL and you don't need torsion keys or longer bolts (assuming you're a 4x4). All you need is some shackles, a wrench, and an alignment. Do some more research on this site before you spend your hard earned money on eBay kits.

 

[LONO100]

I agree with scope, do some research and learn from the mistakes of older forum guys! EBay is a great tool for certain items, but a lot of those "lift kits" and other no name parts are just cheap stuff made in china and are junk. You can get two inches of lift with a set of quality shackles, a ratchet, and a wheel alignment. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't put anything on my ride that would be weight bearing like shackles, and suspension components unless it was brand name and widely recommended.

 

[shooterdude199]

x2 on using quality big named products.

 

[03sporttrac]

Thanks guys, i appreciate the love! Yes it's a bike rack I made....I'm still deciding if want the BL.

 

[Dauntless76]

My Trac

Alright I have officially been following along for months but finally have an itsy bitsy lift to post lol. Commence slideshow!!

Pretty much as I got him. '01 Sport Trac 98k miles bone stock on 255/75/r16 precision tracs.

We added the topper so I could move across the country after college.

In the great outdoors with a fat ass lol.

This one is simple so you can see the difference 1.25" rear spacers make on the stance.

Finally we have lift. 1" torsion twist to fit 265/75/r16 bfg ats. Got about 2.5" of lift in the front and an inch in the back(ish). Back and front are now 100% level. Loved/love the feel of goin from 8.8" wide, 29" tall tires to 10.5" / 32" tires. Feels like a real truck lol.

1.25" spacers on the rear. Much better stance imo.

Just for stance.

Thats it for now but currently trying to sell that topper and hoping for a 3" body kit this summer sometime. It will grow up to be a real truck someday lol.

Btw does anyone have any opinions on how the trac looks without the cladding? Its either paint it or remove it imo, the grey is just bad.

-Daniel

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Paint them Satin black with krylon fusion. You're taking the same steps I did with mine.

 

[Dauntless76]

How does that hold up? I didnt wanna mess with them unless it was going to be something I didnt have to think about for a while. Ya well months ago yours was my inspiration lol. So I bow to your trac.

Anyone have a distinct opinion on war shackles vs aals? I have read a bunch of the posts about shackles flattening the suspension overtime which obviously isnt good, but also looking for something I can do on the cheap end (or even have a shop do) in the near future. While I could definitely do it myself I have no place to work on it atm and major lack of tools.

I'm getting ready for my BL so looking at how to make it look "normal". The total straight line look with how the bed of our tracs is angled makes the back look lower. Maybe thats just me.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

AAL is the way to go, it's cheaper then doing shackles and strengthens your leaf packs. I have shackles on now but I'm gonna be cutting down my factory leafsprings (original set from before the accident last spring) and adding them to the oem set I have now. I posted in the offroad lift section asking if this could be done, motivated a fellow member to try it out on his 1st Gen and now that I know it can be done and works well I'll be doing it this spring. Not sure if I'll put the stock shackles back on or just drill holes for stock height shackles in the WP shackles I have since their a lot stronger then the stockers. Theirs other members out by you, see if you can possibly get done help working on your truck (lift, etc...). I miss living out west, so much nicer then here in the city. Lived in Idaho Falls for awhile back in the late '80's.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Oh ya. The paint holds up great when applied correctly. I have a thread on how I did mine on here.

 

[Dauntless76]

Hmm well AAL sounds like what I would wanna do. Man if I could get someone to come help me with this stuff I could do my body lift way sooner. Part of the problem is I dont have anyone to help me so I would have to pay a shop (pricey!) otherwise could probably do it in the near future.

Any thoughts on what AAL would cost if I bought the parts and took them into a shop? Ballpark is fine just tryin to wrap my head around my newest projects lol.

Well Midnight, I'm gonna have to write you into every one of my posts, most of the stuff you have done to yours I want to do to mine lol. The Y-pipe and dual pipes is a definite late gamer for me, along with a better exhaust. Could sound so much better with a better exhaust system. A little quiet for my tastes atm Thanks for all the help/advice man.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Guessing you can't do much if any auto work at your complex? Same way when I lived out in Hermiston, Oregon at that one, it really sucked too because it had the carport shelter like yours does. Lol. Look in the regional/ state forum section to see what other members are around you. I don't have many anywhere close to me either. Sporty97 lives about 85 miles southeast of me and we've gone wheelin' together, can't wait til spring to get down there and explore some of the other trails. For the AAL I'd say no more then $40-70 if they know what they're doing. If you have basic hand tools you could do it yourself, not too hard.

 

[OffTrac]

I'll respond here instead of in a pm so someone might find it useful later.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You gonna respond Hugh? Lol.

 

[OffTrac]

Well, I was going to edit the previous post, but I'll just continue here. Another post, yay! I was on my phone and hit send instead of cancel...oh well.

If you do it yourself:

This is how I did it and the way I did it may range from unnecessary to wrong (hopefully someone will correct if so). Follow at your own risk.

The AAL you want is Pro Comp 13120. It comes with two sets of center pins. I don't remember the size, but I believe you use the larger of the two. You will need to shorten the center pins and rethread the ends as they are too long.

Put both the axle and the frame on jack stands; I used six. Didn't really have to lift the truck since it's on 35s, but if the spare's removed I think you can do this without really lifting the truck even on stock tires. Having the axle up higher will make it easier to use God's blessings like impact wrenches, though.

Clamp the leaf pack together. Probably unnecessary but I clamped them on both sides of the axle. More work to clamp and unclamp two, but I had nothing but time that day. Put a jack under the shock mounting plate (correct name someone?). Remove the four nuts off of the ubolts. This is where the impact wrench came in handy. When they're removed, slowly let the jack down until the leaf pack is fully extended.

This is where my memory gets a little fuzzy. You'll need to remove the centering pin and add the new leaf. There's a detailed step or two in here I'm sure I'm missing, but this is certainly one of those jobs that just makes sense when you're doing it. There's no complicated calculations, special tools or super brain power needed. This is where you'll need to figure out the length you need the centering pin, cut it and rethread. Ok, maybe there's some measuring and an almost special tool. Just use medium brain power and run to the nearest parts counter for a cheap and useful tool.

Once you get through that poorly described process above, simply jack the leaf pack back up to the axle, making sure the centering pin goes in it's home. Tighten down the u-bolts, again with the impact. I read somewhere what the torque specs were and just used that info at the time and finished torquing them down with the torque wrench. If you don't have one, they're a little more pricey and may be something you don't just go out and grab. I'm not sure how important it is to be properly torqued on these bolts so maybe someone will fill that info in along with how much is necessary. Checked them again a couple hundred miles later and they were still to spec and again a couple weeks ago when I changed my oil and still ok.

And that's it. Drive around aggressively through a field for a few minutes to get them to settle and get a final measurement. This last step can be done on road if you don't have a field handy, it'll just take longer. I do not condone driving through neighbors yards at high speed, either.

If you pay a shop:

It shouldn't be over $100 but I could see a shop charging $120-$160; I wouldn't pay more than that. They realistically shouldn't be charging for more than an hour shop time, though.

Since this is still a picture thread:

They are certainly more stiff but gave the squishy rear end the solid feel I wanted. The RS5000 shocks are a part of that, also. Although more stiff, they still get the movement I need:

I won't elaborate any more on why I prefer them over shackles as that has been beat to death and there's lots of opinions and you obviously already found some through the search. If nothing else, I think the AAL looks better than the shackles hanging down.

 

[Dauntless76]

Ya ZERO maintenance allowed in the parking spots. They freak out even if you have a flat and need to put on the spare. Thanks Hugh much appreciated. If it's that cheap I'll probably just take it in next week or so and have them do it. While technically not beyond my abilities I would need more jacks a torsion wrench and somewhere to do it. Would cost more to get just the jacks than to take it in lol. And thanks you lot for gettin me hooked lol. After the AAL a body lift is next on the list. Possibly a repaint of the cladding since thats buggin me.

I definitely agree Hugh, I never liked how the extended shackles looked. But I like the back to be a bit higher. Additionally I get some major sag when I put a bunch of weight in the bed and I would like to avoid that. As you said its a picture thread so this is when I was moving and loaded the crap out of it. Drove like a boat lol

Low ridin lol. Cant wait until I'm shorter than my truck

 

[OffTrac]

That's a nice Sport Trac. Its easy to get hooked.

 

[Dauntless76]

Thanks man I like it a lot and yes it is. My favorite ride so far can't imagine not having it. I have convinced myself that I will drop a new engine (prob V8) into it when the engine dies etc and on to keep it runnin lol. You guys have been inspiring, and detrimental to my available funds

How is the trimming on the plastic when you put on the grille guard after your BL? I'm thinkin I will probably get a bullbar for it eventually.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Lol, I'm 6'6" and when I bought my Trac the roof line came up to my shoulder, now I have to climb up onto the door jamb to put anything on the roof (took my nerf bars off, looks better and I didn't wanna bend this set up on the trail like I did to the originals).