Looking for lift options

[BigK]

Hey folks, I'm looking to lift my truck 3" and I'm not sure whats most affordable, realiable and what is still for sale. I tried the lift options thread, and I really like the performance accessories 3" body lift, but it (according to the link) is no longer for sale. Help? I'm trying to price out everything that I'm gonna need. Would like a 3" lift, 33" tires, maybe some new rims (haven't decided what yet) and I'm kinda lost here.

 

[SouthernSAR]

I'm pretty sure JC Whitney still sells the PA lift kit. If not, try googling it. It shouldn't be that hard to find one that'll work. If you can't, eBay and Craigslist usually have what you're looking for. I'd be careful ordering from eBay though.

Also, we're gonna need to know if your X is 2wd or 4wd as lifting options differ between the two.

 

[soon2bsick]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/body-lift-...ID=froogle&02FoExPer505550#prodDetailTabPanel

http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Accessories-70023-Explorer-2001-02/dp/B000CCFEFM


http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...dium=froogle&utm_campaign=product&emlprox=out


http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/3...ssoriesp6470023-.aspx?scid=FROOGLE&ST_SRC=AFF


there you go

 

[JohnnyO]

"Affordable" and "3"" equals body lift.
A torsion twist and Warrior rear shackles will get you 1.5" and will fit a narrow 33" like a 33x10.50-15 or 285/75-16.
To fit the wider and more common 33x12.50-15 you will need a 3" body lift or the Superlift kit (assuming you have a 4wd) , but then that isn't most peoples' definition of affordable.
If you have a 2wd you have the same options but instead of the Superlift kit you can use the much cheaper 2wd Ranger Edge drop spindles and lift springs for the rear.

 

[OffTrac]

Search for Lono's thread about torsion twist and shackle how to. He fit 33s on a 2wd without a body lift.

I still recommend an add-a-leaf instead of extended shackles. Absolutely convinced after having had both. Do a search if you're interested.

The body lift is still available. Many guys have bought just in the past couple months. The lifted ST crowd is growing quickly. The body lift is a fairly cheap 3" but if you are going to do it yourself, you'll need some time and be at least a novice at working on vehicles.

 

[interscope8]

Question about the Body Lift... not to hijack or anything...

Everyone says it's pretty easy and can be done by almost anyone, only thing that worries me is how true is this? I know a couple guys had some issues with the install but most of you guys say you got through it pretty easy. I'm almost convinced I could do it, especially having access to a lift and air tools... input?




As for lift options, I did a write up on the TT/ SL a while ago too. That was pretty easy and the lift is 1.5"-2" easy. If you prefer to not mess with shackles and do an Add A Leaf instead you can, my shackles were pretty rusted out and needed replacing anyway.

Besides that the Body Lift is the other most common one on the site. Seems to be easy, but with my luck idk how it would work out for me... maybe a weekend in the near future I'll attempt it though.

The Superlift is a 4" lift kit, kinda pricey, and apparently it will run your front end parts down pretty quick. A few members on here have it but that claim hasn't been verified.

The Spring Over Axle and Solid Axle Swap (SOA and SAS) are another great way to lift the trac about 5", it will also strengthen your front end by eliminating the IFS and all those parts that fail almost without a doubt. The downside to this is mechanical know-how and it can be pricey. Depending on how you do it and where you get the parts, it can be cheaper than a Superlift though.



Thats pretty much all Ive learned in my 2 years on here... kinda hesitant to try the BL just because of some things Ive read on other sites...

 

[OffTrac]

If you're the type of person that has never changed oil or done a brake job, doing the body lift is definitely not where you want to start. For a moderately handy person like myself, I didn't think it was difficult. Tedious but not difficult. I'm no mechanic and I didn't use air tools or a lift. I have been working on vehicles since 13, though, so it's hard for me to say where a person's skill levels are.

I am entirely intimidated by trying to set up steering for a solid axle swap. I had no issues with replacing my rack and pinion, though. I fall somewhere in that range if it makes any sense.

The body lift is easier than the rack and pinion for sure, though.

 

[interscope8]

Ya I change my oil myself, done my break pads and rotors too. Did my shackles, TT, and shocks pretty much by myself with the guidance of a buddy mechanic. It's his shop I use for the lift and tools. Even made a 98. Explorer trailer reciever work with his plasma cutter haha. For some reason the BL scares me tho

 

[OffTrac]

With those under your belt, I think you'd be fine. Especially if you have a mechanic buddy that can be nearby and help when necessary. The instructions are actually pretty good and clear about what you need to do.

 

[soon2bsick]

Ya I change my oil myself, done my break pads and rotors too. Did my shackles, TT, and shocks pretty much by myself with the guidance of a buddy mechanic. It's his shop I use for the lift and tools. Even made a 98. Explorer trailer reciever work with his plasma cutter haha. For some reason the BL scares me tho

I'm with you on that one, But more so because of what all I have to take out/apart


Not sure I want to dish out $400+++ or whatever it will be to have someone else do it though

 

[01STrunner]

Chad's done a super lift but not many others on here. Most people lift their tracs for off-road purposes which the super lift does not cater to. All the front parts like the differential and torsion bars are dropped in relation to the rest of the truck and kill most clearance gained from the lift, which is really expensive to begin with.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Scope, you can do the BL yourself. I found the instruction booklet I have with all my side notes I made for others to have an easier install process. Did you make the move back home yet or still doing finals?

 

[JohnnyO]

Body lifts are more difficult for us Salt Belt residents because things rust together.

 

[BigK]

My '05 is a 4x4. I was wondering if there is a way to get all 3" from the torsion twist and shackles?

 

[interscope8]

My '05 is a 4x4. I was wondering if there is a way to get all 3" from the torsion twist and shackles?

In short, no. If you had a 2 wheel drive maybe. But with a 4x4 if you go higher than 2" you will wear out your CV's.

 

[BigK]

So a body lift is my only option?

 

[JohnnyO]

So a body lift is my only option?

Your only option to get 3" inexpensively, yes.
The basic rule on lifting late-model Rangers, Explorers, and Sport Tracs is that they are cheap to lift a little and expensive to lift a lot.
Superlift about $2000 plus installation.
Dixon Bros. about $4000 plus installation, which ain't easy, so call it $6000.
It is what it is.

 

[interscope8]

Or for a happy medium you can do a solid axle swap and get around 5"-6" and for cheaper than the superlift.

But that's way outta my league for the time being... unless I find a D44 out here for cheap that works I'll be waiting till after college

 

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Some other front end options-

+Camburg entry level- (2wd) 6in of lift. 3/4 in. wider. added wheel travel. $1400 at sdtruckshop.com. install is super easy accept you have to weld on the brackets for the limit straps.

+Camburg performance kit- (2wd) 6 in of lift. 3/4 in wider. 10 in of travel. dual bilstein 5100's. 1800 at sdtruckshop.com. This will need a proffesional installer unless you want to cut off your shock mounts and weld up new ones on your own.

+Btf fabrication- this companies website is under construction but it has a number listed. They got really good reviews everywhere I look. From what I have heard they have an LT kit, installed, for somewhere in the 2000 range. Probably closer to 2500-3 I would imagine though.

 

[interscope8]

+Btf fabrication- this companies website is under construction but it has a number listed. They got really good reviews everywhere I look. From what I have heard they have an LT kit, installed, for somewhere in the 2000 range. Probably closer to 2500-3 I would imagine though.

4x4 LT Kit needs to hurry up and come out! haha.