Lifting a '95. Mass confusion

[Murk]

Ok, so for the past two days I've been back on here reading up again. Now, I can't afford to do all this yet, but I'm trying to learn as much about it all and where the best deals are and so on. I guess I'm looking for a total cost basically, so I know how long before I can get this all going.

This is what I want to do. First of all, I drive a 1995 4DR 2WD XLT. The wonderful odd-year. I planned to do the SOA, 3" Body Lift, Spindles and TT and was hoping to fit some 35s.

The thing is, I recently read that you can use a 96+ SuperLift kit on a 95 with some modifications. I don't know what all comes with that kit though or if it can/will lift it more or what. My ultimate goal is to fit 35s at least.

I also read that with the body lift, 3" will call for extended steering and brake lines? Or at least that doing all of this will. I was wondering what else will need extentions when doing this whole project. One more thing on the body lift, I'm leaning towards finding a decently priced shop to install it because of my lack of some tools and the incredible hastle it is.

THEN, I'm thinking about getting a shop to do the SOA too, because it has to be welded, but it's quite possible that I can get the welding tools to use for the perches.

Then...the spindles and TT I can do myself and it's what? $50 for an alignment?

All in all...I'm curious how much others spent doing these same mods and what I'm leaving out. If you could tell me your cost and what exactly you had to pay for, i.e. when labor costs came into play, that would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for any help,
Eric

 

[jimbo74]

the 4x4 suspension is differnt and wont work... spindles dont deal with the regular issues of the 4x4

you can easily do spindles, soa, and a 3" bodylift.. there are a few issues with the bodylift like needing bumper brackets and grinding down some metal on the steering shaft, but thats it... if you get spindles, you will need extended brake lines.. the stock ones jsut will not reach without them

 

[Murk]

Ok, well I'm willing to manage all this work myself, but this is also my daily driver and being off at college right now I'm short on tools. I can put it out of commision for the time it takes to do the work though. Is it difficult at all to change the brake lines? And I thought I read about needing a steering extension.

 

[slravene]

you will need a steering extension, and it comes with the BL. Some of the guys just have to grind down a little bit of it to make it fit. (the kit is NOT an explorer kit after all). However, the one that I helped install didnt need any grinding. Every truck is different. Alos what kind of tools do you have? As long as you have a Jack, Jackstands, a GOOD, full ratchet set, a rubber hammer, dremel, scredrivers (maybe) and some other various tools i would think you would be ok. (You will need to have someone fab up some bumper mounts though, as you wont be able to do that unless you can cut thick steel. I dont think you will need any special tools to do your install.

 

[Murk]

Ok, I can manage all of that. And, I'm aware that it's a Ranger body kit. Thanks for the help.

 

[2000Xplorer]

Dude, why lift a 2wd drive X? you cant take in offroad

 

[bmxking5]

I have a feeling you're about to get yelled at.

Spend some more time on the site and you'll quickly see that you CAN take a 2wd offroad. You may not be able to go as many places as a 4wd w/ the same setup, but there are SEVERAL 2wd X's on this site that could get farther than me just b/c of clearance. It all depends on the terrain, but for example, if you have a Mounty w/ a 5.0, ~9" lift, and 35s, you have both clearance and lots of power on your side =pretty nice offroad. You'd be very surprised at how far a locked and geared 2wd would be able to get, especially with the right driver.

 

[2000Xplorer]

im just wondering cause in colorado a 2wd truck/car/suv is about as good as a road bike in the winter

and sry if i offended any 2wheelers

 

[bmxking5]

im just wondering cause in colorado a 2wd truck/car/suv is about as good as a road bike in the winter

Like I said, it all depends on the terrain. As you can see, Murk is in GA. I've been alive 18 years in GA and have probably only seen that white stuff fall from the sky 4 or 5 times Just ask BeauJ.

 

[2000Xplorer]

i understand, i forget that people else where dont get 2 feet of snow in early october like we did here bout 2 weeks ago

 

[slravene]

if your locked and 2wd you can go pretty far....i ran the trail in 2wd (with my new locker obviously) that i normally need 4wd to get up...figured i would try it all in 2wd, and i made it...its all about how you drive it.