most inexpensive way to lift my X

[1995whitestang]

ok im looking for a fairly cheap yet decent lift. i want about 2-3 inches of lift.

what do you all reccmoend? im not looking for anything hardcore....yet lol


so whats something cheap and reliable. where to find it and about how much? ill be installing myself.

 

[Critical_Level2]

I would suggest torsion twist in the front and shackles and/or add a leafs in the rear. I got about 2 inches front and 1.5 inches rear from torsion twist and shackles.

 

[dman726749]

the easiest way would be a torsion twist and warrior shackles do a search on tt and war153 and you will find tons of info. you will get abut 2" of lift outta it

 

[dreamr]

TT and Warrior 153 shackles 60 bucks plus alignment more stock like ride

TT and explorer pro-comp aal 40 bucks and alignment
more truck like ride

 

[1995whitestang]

hmmmm i have to replace my upper control arm soon cause i got a ball joint going bad. and i just had it aligned and am gonna have to get a new one when i replace that. maybe i look into doing this soon so i dont have to get a third alignment.

ill search in the am. thanks for the heads up on what to look for,

 

[1995whitestang]

ok the TT seems like a free mod to raise front. correct? from what i read i just need to turn the bolt 3 times.

now im confused on the AAL and the shackles. im reading mixed opinions on it.

some say the shackles can cause damage to ujoints and such.
what should i do. anyone got pics of each installed?

 

[CodePoet]

I haven't heard of them causing damage....i think that as long as your under 5 inches of lift the angle isn't effected enough to cause damage...but I could be wrong, lord knows I have been before . I have add a leafs and I love them, some people don't. The main thing you might not like is that they stiffen up the ride ALOT. My 93 always rode like a truck, but that's the way I like it, for some stupid reason.

Good luck, i hope i helped
CP

 

[1995whitestang]

where would i find the warriors?

 

[Blee1099]

Desert Rat, 4 Wheel parts, etc.. Most of them don't have them listed online but if you call their toll free number they'll be able to tell you a price.

 

[1995whitestang]

ummm im new..what are those company's lol
got a number or web site?

sorry, but i have no idea what they are. (the companies)

 

[dreamr]

Originally posted by 1995whitestang
ok the TT seems like a free mod to raise front. correct? from what i read i just need to turn the bolt 3 times.

The torsion bolts are variable from x to x on mine to get it to perfectly even out i had 5.5 twist on the passeger, and 8 on the driver side. Total front lift was around 1.75
Note that I had a little driver rear sag to start about .5inch Before you start take some measurements all the way around, from wheel well to top center of wheel hub (varies from post to post) I also measured from the front crossmember to judge front lift. Either lift in the rear will give you in the neighborhood of 1.75. Measure after rear lift and adjust the tortion bolts to match in front.
Notes* 2 inches is a safe limit with front TT too much over and your cv joints may wear faster.
* After about 25 to 50 miles of driving my TT settled about .25 on driver and none on passenger

Originally posted by 1995whitestang
[Bsome say the shackles can cause damage to ujoints and such.
what should i do. anyone got pics of each installed? [/B]

With a minor lift you should not have any issues with u-joints. A down side to the shackles is they hang down below your bumper and are very visible. Then again they are unique at least around here and I like the work they do for me.

 

[dreamr]

I got mine through 4wheelparts. around70$ w/shipping
You have to call and ask specifically for Warrior shackles part WAR-153. They didn't believe me that warrior made anything for the explorer lol 800.341.7647

For add aleaf check summit

 

[Bigcheck1]

my warriors will be for sale in about a month.

 

[BuckTales]

I am basically looking to do the same thing. Can anyone help me with the differences (pros and cons) between shackles and add-a-leafs?

 

[BuckTales]

Sorry, one more question. If I went with the above suggestions, how would P235-75R15 Bridgestone Dueller AT's look on that? Too small? I don't really have the cash to to get new tires right now.

 

[1995whitestang]

ill def. be in the market for some shackels. man im bitten by the bug bad. LOL

 

[dreamr]

Originally posted by BuckTales
Sorry, one more question. If I went with the above suggestions, how would P235-75R15 Bridgestone Dueller AT's look on that? Too small? I don't really have the cash to to get new tires right now.

IMHO The stock tires 235's or 225's just look too damn small on a stock height X. We named mine little foot when I first got it. We still call her Petite-Pied, for after a bit of lift the 30's almost look to small ( need a 4inch lift +2 inch body lift and 33's ) You should get at least a 31 with a TT and shackles. Often times you can fit 31's stock they just really fill up the wheel wells.
As to pro's and cons, I posted this a bit earlier

TT and Warrior 153 shackles 60 bucks plus alignment more stock like ride, also a bit of extra articulation. 1.5 inches of shackle exposed below the bumper

TT and explorer pro-comp aal 40 bucks and alignment
more truck like ride. Definatelt more appealing visually, and doesn't kill you departure angle as bad, but man they stiffen up the ride

 

[EBInterceptor]

I agree, 235s are super small and especially with a lift. Even just for stock I would go nothing less than 255s which for my particular tires I believe are a 30.4 in.

 

[1995whitestang]

which is easier to install? shackels or AAL?

i think i may have to do the shacles regardless cause my wife drives the X alot and she wouldnt like the truck feel of the AAL.

 

[dreamr]

AAL requires you to drop the leaf pack, though there may be atrick I don't know to make it easier. Not too hard. But a bit more stuff to unbolt

For the shackles, I jacked op on the frame a bit. took the lower bolt out of the shackle and leaf. Raised the rear up a couple more inches removed old shackle from frame. Bolt new shackle to frame. Put bottle jack between leaf spring and frame open jack untill leaf lines up with shackle hole bolt in place. Torque to specs. Go for a drive. Re-Torque. If you decide to swap the bushings as well it's a job to get the old bushings out. Check to see how they look, and you might not have too, though I recommend swapping with some Energy Suspension Polyurethane bushings.