lifting my 96 limited

[Limited96]

ok.. so now i want to get lifted.. found the parts i needed to fix this beast up..


i want to tuck some 33's.. i dont want it red-neck high.. just big enough to play with the big kids, and not get my butt kicked.

i know i can do a 2 or 3 inch body lift.. torsion twist doesnt sound that good.. well.. maybe an inch or so with 1 inch shackels.. cuz i really dont want to pay 200 or 300 bucks to replace my cv joints and u joints often *(sorry im not sure what joint it is)*

so what can i do? who here has lifted up their limiteds?

i still want to be nice on the street.. i live in a huge metropolis, so i need the street safety.. but i wanna be able to stomp in some mud, and climb with the big guys.. mostly the jeepers.. *(did i just swear?)*

 

[Alec]

Well, what's your attitude towards trimming? Cause fitting 33s on a late model almost always requires some. You'll especially have some problems on the LTD due to the huge fender flares. I recommend a 2" TT, WAR 153 shackles, and maybe also an addaleaf in the rear. Also, a 3" body lift. You'll probably still rub the 33s when turning (and/or on compression) even with this 5" of lift. 33x10.50 tires will be easier to fit, but 33x12.50s give you much more traction obviously.

The other possibility is what I've done: 2.25" of lift from the suspension (could do a 3" body) and lots of trimming. It still looks decent, but I need to trim more as it still rubs. Hmmmm, 3" off the rear of the front fenders, 1" off the entire fender lip, and 1" off the bumper. No trimming (but a little massaging) needed in the rear. This is for 33x12.50 XTerrains. If your friends are the sawzall and grinder, this is an ok route

Good luck!

 

[Limited96]

ouch.. no trimming.. it tends to scare away the after market for resale... so what can i do.. 31's? 32s?

let me know... my limited looks like a weenie.

 

[Alec]

31s are easy with a small bl or the TT/shackles. As long as the TT is moderate you don't have to worry too much about the drivetrain. I think suspension lifts are usually favorable to body lifts anyway. 32s with both lifts is doable. It's just those 33s. Some people can fit them, some can't w/o (much) trimming.

 

[becker69]

Limited96, you may be able to fit 32's with just the TT and shackles... I could fit them with only the TT and shackles and they only rub on my inside front pass sway bar at full turn compression.
Alec, could you do measure the width of your wheel-wells (that is; when looking at your truck from a side profile, measure the front of the well, across the tire to the rear of that well)? ANd post the measurements?
I am really curious just how large a wheel well I have, in comparison to other 95+ Explorers. Thanks.

 

[Alec]

My measurements won't be accurate cause I've trimmed, sorry.

 

[becker69]

Alec, that's ok I know. If you can note measurements that you have currently (after trimming) it'll give me an idea of what is required for 33's (even with some rubbing ) I have a huge gap with my 32's and I am almost positive I can fit 33x10.50.... although I really don't want to go narrower. Thanks.

 

[Alec]

i should have some time tomorrow, i'll see as long as the mosquitos aren't too bad

 

[becker69]

Alec; don't hassle it...

Alec, I was forgettin not only the bow () of the body, but also, my tires stick out 1/2" or so from the well anyways. Thanks though. I have 4" in front and back (clearance from the tire to wheel well) of the rear well, and 2 3/4" front and 3 1/4" rear of my front well.... if all that makes any sense So I think I could fit 33x10.50's.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Wait...can ya do that for an Automatic Ride Control Explorer?? Can ya mess up the computer if you do that?

 

[liquidx9]

if you have air ride, youve got to get rid of that with any amount of lift

 

[stadx2]

Originally posted by Limited96
ok.. so now i want to get lifted.. found the parts i needed to fix this beast up..


i want to tuck some 33's.. i dont want it red-neck high.. just big enough to play with the big kids, and not get my butt kicked.

i know i can do a 2 or 3 inch body lift.. torsion twist doesnt sound that good.. well.. maybe an inch or so with 1 inch shackels.. cuz i really dont want to pay 200 or 300 bucks to replace my cv joints and u joints often *(sorry im not sure what joint it is)*

so what can i do? who here has lifted up their limiteds?

i still want to be nice on the street.. i live in a huge metropolis, so i need the street safety.. but i wanna be able to stomp in some mud, and climb with the big guys.. mostly the jeepers.. *(did i just swear?)*

Here's my limited...........

 

[espnfreak]

Re: Re: lifting my 96 limited

And thats one of the nicest trucks i've seen....

 

[Limited96]

man oh man.. how do i do that!!! i know you only have the rear air ride controll.. and you might not have even gotten that option.. so let me know... i dont really want to get rid of it.. i read a post a LONG time ago about someone who didnt get rid of it, they just dropped the mounts or something..


man.. wow... thats one nice truck...


and whats up with this lift i hear about that is going to eliminate torsion bars? is that done yet?

 

[liquidx9]

stadx has the superlift 4.4 suspension, 3 in body lift (right?) and big ass tires, search for his old thread on it, the inside is almost cooler than the outside

 

[Xplodor]

Darren,

You NEED to go play with us at Truck Haven in 2003. I want to check out your X, it's similar to mine. =)


How did you do a 5.5 Superlift SOA in the rear, wouldn't that give you like 9"? Did you use the 4" Superlift springs, or stock springs with Superlift SOA?

How does the rear ride? Is it still ruff like the stock et up?

 

[stadx2]

Originally posted by Limited96
man oh man.. how do i do that!!! i know you only have the rear air ride controll.. and you might not have even gotten that option.. so let me know... i dont really want to get rid of it.. i read a post a LONG time ago about someone who didnt get rid of it, they just dropped the mounts or something..


man.. wow... thats one nice truck...


and whats up with this lift i hear about that is going to eliminate torsion bars? is that done yet?

I purposely bought this Explorer without the air-ride package because I knew I would be junking it anyway.

RCD is working on making that lift. Its not done yet though.

 

[stadx2]

Originally posted by Xplodor
Darren,

You NEED to go play with us at Truck Haven in 2003. I want to check out your X, it's similar to mine. =)


How did you do a 5.5 Superlift SOA in the rear, wouldn't that give you like 9"? Did you use the 4" Superlift springs, or stock springs with Superlift SOA?

How does the rear ride? Is it still ruff like the stock et up?

Yeah, I know! My wife and I are really going to try to make it this year.
I got about 5.5 inches if lift by installing an SOA kit in the rear, and I'm using the stock leafs.
As far as the ride? I always thought it rode somewhat plush in its stock form. With the SOA in, the ride really hasn't changed. Of course that also depends on what setting the RS9000s are at.

 

[Xplodor]

I am using the 4" Superlift springs sprung under, and I LOVE the ride!!! It is sooo smooth on road and off compaired to stock. I'm confident I can catch some air without beating up the truck.

I don't want to loose that by doing a SOA, but I do want some more articulation. I may leave it as it is until I do a SAS then go SOA. =)