Lifting My 97' Explorer XLT

[Memfis]

A couple months ago i bought my 1997 Explorer XLT 4 Door that had every single option included on it avaliable because a dealer bought it at first. I put a grill guard on it about a month after i bought it. And i have been wanting to put a lift on this thing for a long time but just not have actually gotten into it. I wanted to just body lift if possible but i called a body shop and they said since that it was unibody body lift is not possible and all i found online were Ranger lifts. I would like to know if body lift is possible and what you reccomend if or if it wont work. A suspension lift or other way to lift would be great as long as it is not too outrageous in the price. I am looking for at least a 3 inch lift. Here is a picture when i first bought it without the grill guard.

 

[Robb]

Your body shop is dumb.................it isn't uni-body.


You can use a Ranger Body lift on it. Try a SEARCH for "1997 body lift" and you will find lots of information.

Welcome and Good Luck!!

 

[Brian_B]

Its a 97? You have a frame. A ranger body lift will work. You just have to make bumper brackets. No one sells a specific body lift for the 2nd gen X. Suspension lifts are available, but cost a lot. I think about $1400 is the bargain price.

Run a search with the button toward the top right of the page for "body lift". The number of the kit is posted all over.

 

[BigDave!!!]

hey memfis i got your PM about lifting this thing and sent you back one

 

[Xplorer12686]

you can do shackles and a torsion twist for about 1.5-2 inches. its a minor lift but only costs about 60 bucks. the ranger kit will work also. its like 100 bucks or something around there.

 

[j602]

Lift it yourself. It ain't that hard. It also prevents idiots like the ones at that body shop from screwing it up.

 

[XplorerKid]

2 or 4wd?

Also how big are you wanting to go? 31"s? 33"s? 35"s?

For 33"s you could do a BL and TT/Shackles
For 35"s ide run a BL, TT/Shackles and 3" Spindles(this is if your 2wd)
if 4wd you could do BL, TT/Shackles and the 1400$ Superlift kit or run BL, TT/Shackles and trim the fenders to fit 35"s

Good luck

 

[Memfis]

Ok well hate to bring up this topic since so many people ask about it but i have alot of info collected just wanted to discuss details and such. I dont know if i can get the bigger tires right now but if anyone knows a place that sells good cheap big tires thatd be great because i just bought these stock size michelins and they are great but i dont know how goofy that would look with a 3-5 inch lift. The car is in the shop getting painted black as we speak and im planning on putting limo tint and a lift once i put the gril guard and tail light guards i have on it. And i have looked at the torsion and am not sure which process, shackles or add-aleaf i should do. And also the details onm how exactly to do it with the one that is over all better. And also i want to do the ranger body lift but i dont have any experience on lifting a truck so i was wondering if me and a couple buddies could do it or if a shop is needed. Thanks for all the help.

Ps. its a 4wd

 

[j602]

Stock tires will look VERY bad with 3-5" of lift. Dunlop Mud Rovers are pretty cheap new at Sam's. Also Wal-Mart sells some pretty cheap tires, I think they are called Super Sports. Go with shackles in the back; they ride better, flex better, and are easier to install. Yes, you and some friends can do the body lift and 2" suspension lift with simple hand tools. An air compressor with air tools helps though. It's pretty straightforward an easy, but the body will take some time, so be prepared for that.

Your plans sound pretty good so far, you'll love the black paint.

 

[BigDakota]

Dayton Timberline 33's are around $120 each, the Super Sport 33's are about $130 each

 

[tgertz77]

I could be wrong, but wouldnt a BL mess up the grille guard? I know nerf bars still sit low after a BL as they are mounted to the frame.

 

[j602]

You'll have to remount it differently, by either drilling new holes or fabbing new brackets. You can do the same for nerf bars.

 

[dreamr]

Suspension lift

2" with
pro comp add-a-leaf
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97676
Warrior shackles http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48965&highlight=Warrior+shackles
Tortion twist up front http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47345&highlight=tortion+twist

Body lift
3" PA-883 you will need to fab your bumper brackets, and I advise you take a close look at your a/c lines before starting the vehicle
Dead Link Removed
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...did=46742&highlight=body+lift+bumper+brackets


Tires
33X12.50
or
33x10.50

Geared to 4.56 to maintain close to stock drive ratio


Have fun............