lowering

[focbl]

Thanks for the replies,and the great trucks i have seen

As far as my standard ex goes
I guess i am going to go for the two inch drop.
The blocks seem basic enough but i am not sure about the front. Can someone give me a more detailed instuction on the torsion bolts.....

Many thanks for all the help

Standard EX sport, But i am workng on that.........

 

[leenjen]

is this a reply to another thread.
sorry, i cant help you with lowering instructions. but this will bump the thread up so maybe someone who can help will read this.

 

[YetiX]

The torsion arms are the long bars which come back from the front suspension and go into a cross member. There are holes in the back side of the cross-member where each torsion bar is attached and there's a bolt sticking out of each one. To lower the front end you simply losen the bolts. To lift it you tighten the bolts. It's that simple.

Two things: 1. make sure you losen the bolts the same amount so that your X is level from side-to-side. 2. make sure you get an alignment afterwards or your tires will wear prematurely.

Good luck.

 

[Hartman]

Yeti, how will the ride be when you do that to the front?

 

[expo5.0]

if you have the money you should also upgrade your shocks at the same time. mine rides a little harsh for most people.

 

[Hartman]

So you're saying it rides a little harsh because you don't have new shocks, or it rides harsh even with new shocks?

 

[expo5.0]

i have stock shocks and the stiffest sway bar that ford puts in the x. and it makes for a ride that it takes an enthusiast to appreciate.

 

[Hartman]

Well, I'm saving up so I can get all of it done at once. Sway bar first, then lowering, then alignment, then new shocks.

 

[YetiX]

It will be a firmer ride but nothing bad either. Just firmer. My wife's X (stock) is way too soft and it bob and weaves like a punch-drunk boxer. Mine rides much more like our Jetta, firm yet controlled. Just like my wife!!

 

[rcogs]

lowering instructs

Geez, now I really wish I came across this X forum a long time ago. I wouldn't have beaten brains trying to find a shop that works on X's. I also just put out a new thread called 4.0 Sport Mods. I figured out about loosening up the torsion bars(all the way, to get about 2in.) on my own. Though with the 2wd Sport you don't need to buy blocks, just flip the factory spacer blocks(which act as lifts) to the bottom of the differential housing. Gets about 2in. in the rear as well.

 

[X24]

in order to losen the torsion bars do you need to jack anything up or can you just crank away?

 

[rcogs]

You need to jack the front up to take pressure off of the torsion bars. It's not a good idea to back out the bolts with the weight of the truck twisting on the bars. Make sure you mark a starting point on each of the two bolts where they are right now so when you back them out you know exactly how many turns you give them(and whether you've made a full turn of the bolt). It's good to keep track of how many times you turn them in relation to how they're set right now because you want to keep both sides of the truck level(though you should measure both sides afterward anyway, allowing a little driving time to settle the bars). Keep in mind that a full or empty gas tank affects the height of the front end a little.

 

[aldive]

To get it aligned after lowering, is there anything special involved? Are the specs the same?

Thanks....

 

[rcogs]

Nothing special is needed. The main issue on the front end is you'll need the camber checked to ensure factory setting.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rcogs
Nothing special is needed. The main issue on the front end is you'll need the camber checked to ensure factory setting.

What are the adjusters that Explorer express sells?

>>Kit is easy to install. Includes aluminum lowering blocks, special u-bolts, front camber adjusters and detailed instructions. <<

Thanks

 

[aldive]

Also, whats involved in the rear lowering?

Thanks....

 

[YetiX]

Hey Al,

The camber adjusters from EE are nothing too special. Any good alignment shop should have 'em for much less $$. The best thing about the EE kit is the instructions which are very good.

To lower the rear end on an XLT you need to buy lowering blocks and longer u-bolts. I found them for my wife's X at Pep-Boys for about $30. I installed them (using the instructions from the EE kit that I used on my X) and lowered the front end in about 30 minutes.

One of these days I'll get around to posting my write up with pictures on how to do it. (I've lowered four Xs now.)

 

[aldive]

Thanks; I anxiously await your write up.

 

[Hartman]

Yeti, hurry up with the write-up!!!

 

[rcogs]

I wasn't paying full attention when giving some info above. You guys have XLT's and/or 4wd. On a 2wd Sport, you don't have to reset the camber after the front is lowered and the leaf spring spacer blocks which come on it from the factory can be used as lowering blocks.