lifts for 2000 xlt

[wayne]

Anyone have Info on this lift:

Got the info from Dead Link Removed

Ford 1996-2001 Explorer and 2000 and Newer Explorer Sport Trac 4WD with Solid Rear Axle
3" to 4" Lift System Main Features:
Retains factory ride quality, steering geometry and CV axle angles
New nodular iron knuckles, not ball joint spacers
Load bearing bracketry made of 0.1875" thick plate steel of heavy-wall tubing
Longer front anti-sway bar links maintain factory bar geometry
Full-width differential / control arm crossmembers provide lateral rigidity
Optional front skid plate protects steering components and differential
Front / rear Superide shocks with yellow boots
Rear lift via replacement Superide leaf springs
Heavy-duty replacement front driveshaft available
Speedometer recalibration available
Limited Lifetime Warranty
For more information, refer to the Application Guide

Speak oh road happy souls for one in need!

 

[section525]

Numerous people on this site are running that lift. It's the best availible IFS suspension lift. I may be getting one pretty soon. What do you want to know about it?

 

[cdsl227]

RCD is supposedly coming out with a Coil Conversion in a month or so, I've heard good and bad things about the one Beta setup(?).

Personally I've been looking REAL hard at the SAS conversions being done...I think if time and $$$ permit that is ultimately the best approach.

That's the one I'm considering, but since it's my daily driver...I may forgo the SAS for something "simpler".

I'm waiting to hear how the 2nd Gen SAS works out, if they're reliable and durable- most importantly will they work out for a daily driver...

 

[wayne]

Lifts

What do you want to know about it?


__________________

Pros, Cons, worthwhile for daily Driver.
What is IFS lift?
What lift is best suspension, Body or both.
Not a full time 4 wheeler, but like the ability to go anytime and of course a solid capable look. Recommendations for 2000 xlt.

How much time to install...or have have it installed by qualified people...special considerations/problems that may be encountered.

and Thanks,

Lot of interesting things on the board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cdsl227]

The only problem I see with the IFS Lifts - they retain the IFS

Actually the Torsion Bar Mounts at the rear of the bar are brought down so there's something else to get hung up on...

If you look at the thread Robb's SAS, his truck is monstrous, there are also a number of other SAS projects here and there on this board and they all look sweet.

morrisey0 (Robb's SAS) has the active thread going with updates and pictures, you should take a look at that.

The Coil Conversion from RCD is actually for a Ranger IFS, but the Ranger and Explorer are part # for part # practically the same.

A lot of people here are running a combination of small Body Lifts and Suspension lifts.

I have a 3" Body Lift, and want another 4"s, but I'm looking at how the SAS conversion goes, if the Coil Conversion comes out...I'll hop on that, but I'm hoping the SAS goes DIY with a bolt on installation.

NOW THAT WOULD BE SWEET!!

 

[gavin]

the biggest problem with the RCD lift is the cost. I'm sure it'll start in the $3000 range for the basic, and who knows how high for the extras.
I would definately go that route, but it's hard to throw 3 grand out for a lift, in one foul swoop.

Hell, the SAS I'm doing on my Bronco2 has put me back half of that: both axles (EB D44 and big-bearing 9"), brake conversion for the 9", brand new hard axle lines (front and rear), and a knuckle-out from a disc brake D44 to convert my D44 to discs.
Right there's about $1500-1700, and I've got everything but the steering, which will put me into the $2000 range.

But, the RCD will of course require little fabrication I'm sure.

 

[cdsl227]

But think about it Coils, gotta love that option...although I'm thinking the SAS is a more rock solid option.

 

[gavin]

regardless with the RCD or an SAS, you can use coils. The biggest difference between the 2 is keeping the IFS w/ coilovers, or going solid.
But, which way you go depends on your wheeling needs.

 

[cdsl227]

True, and the worst thing about the IFS w/AWD is that it's not a viable option for any type of locker setup.

From what I've read the axles are just too weak.

 

[gavin]

I don't think it's the axleshafts that are too weak, it's the cv joints. I'm sure they'd survive for a while if it was a pavement pounder, but I'm sure the joints would blow fairly quickly while offroading.

Plus, you don't want a locker in the front axle of an AWD truck... that's just WAY too much stress on the axle.

 

[cdsl227]

Yeah, the CV joints in the AWD are useless...the thing I've always wondered about and I'm going to have to run through these SAS threads is- the transfer case??? Most of these trucks are AWD (?), what are these guys doing to get around the transfer case...I don't know nearly enough about it yet, but the transfer case in the AWD keeps the front driveline going all the time...is it the use of selectable lockers in the front??? So if it's not locked it's pretty much a LSD?

Or are they changing out the transfer case also...

 

[gavin]

I didn't know anybody had a locker in the front of their AWD Sploder...
err.. or do you mean with the SAS? I believe they go with a BW1356 (I think, a full-size t-case, bolt to the 302) shouldn't need any adapters either.
They should be fairly easy to find at a junk yard

 

[cdsl227]

Yeah, that's what I meant the SAS...

 

[brendan]

I guess I'm kind of wondering the same thing as wayne. I have a 2000 XLS and was thinking about the same lift but I need to drive to school and back for another 2 yrs and wondered if putting on 10k - 15k miles per year with a 4" lift is a good idea. I'm assuming I'd throw on some 32x10.50's or some size like that where BFG AT/KO's come in. I'm on co-op right now and making money so I was thinking about buying one but I might just wait till after school. I do some mild offroading (pretty much just find a trail and try to get through it kinda thing, no Rubicon or MOAB for me) and quite a bit of daily driving. Just wondering how much premature wear something like this would put on the front end and total package I guess. Also, how would gas mileage be affected (including tires.) Help us out by answering some of these questions please!

Thanks.

 

[cdsl227]

The body lift, I have a 3", hasn't caused any problems at all...no additional maintenance.

The Suspension lifts for the IFS from what I understand don't really pose a problem because they maintain the driveline geometry to factory specs so there's no wear from that.

There is an axle the passenger side that has to be changed because of a vibration issue, but that's all I know that's been a problem other than that...I think you'd be good to go.

Bear in mind I haven't done the IFS lift, I've seen one up close and it looks pretty rugged. I personally am considering the SAS, but may do the IFS lift strictly because of the amount of downtime to do the SAS, plus in NYC where I am- there isn't a single shop that knows ****e about lifting trucks. I'll find out when I decide to do the lift though (in about a month)...there's only one shop near me that said they'd touch it.

I do understand, however, that tires size and backspacing may play a role in premature wear...exact sizes and what-not I can't tell you, but if you don't go ridiculously large you should be ok.

Anybody have a different take on this please chime in!!

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by brendan
I'm assuming I'd throw on some 32x10.50's or some size like that where BFG AT/KO's come in.
Thanks.

Save yourself the time and money and TT and shackle it. A 32x10.50 will fit fine.

 

[cdsl227]

Jason's right...there is a chart on here somewhere that lists what you need to fit what tires...

Dead Link Removed

There it is...