my plans, need suggestions...4 or 6 inch lift?

[FordLover]

I'm getting ready to start gathering parts to build up my explorer.

I've already got a second set of factory wheels and put on 31x10.50 mud terrains, and I'm very happy with them. But I need some suspension lift.

I want a minimum of 4 inch and a maximum of 6 inch lift, and I want to regear from my stock 3.27 up to 3.73 or 4.10's. I also want to put in a limited slip or locker (whatever I can afford at this point).

This isn't my daily driver, but I still want to be able to hit 70MPH on the freeway if I have to.

So who has the best 6 inch lift? I really want to avoid body lifts because I've heard they are pretty tough to install, not to mention nothing would line up properly as far as under the hood.

If anyone has a good picture of a first gen with a 4 inch lift I'd love to see it. Yes, I've searched and seen a few, but most pics aren't labeled so you don't know how much lift is there.
Thanks!

 

[jimbo74]

as far as 6" lifts go, i would go with a skyjacker class 2 for a ranger.. they ar ehands down the best....
and why only 31s? i would say hte most ideal situation is a 6" lift with minimum 33s and 4.56s gears.... rick has some high ratio and 35s and we were going about 70 on the freeway.......

some people are able to fit 31s with no lift, especially on the stock rims....

 

[FordLover]

The main reason I started with 31's was because they were free (great reason right?). I might go with 33's at some point, but I'd want to go with a wider rim, and get 12.50x33 most likely, but that will be well down the road if it ever happens.
I'd already decided I was going to do a mild explorer, and I think 4-6 inches of lift is the best, my 5'2" girlfriend has to be able to get into it still

Oh, and my 31's rub just a bit when flexing or taking a tight turn, and that's on a bone stock 2 door.

Thanks for the help Jimabena74!

 

[jimbo74]

no problem... if you need any more help, just ask, i will answer it, and if i dont see it, i know someone else will....

 

[Dre]

Here it goes... and it's not only my idea but something I would recomend to anyone "buildin" a nice rig...

6" Skyjacker Stage II for a Ranger in the front;
Spring Over Axle in the rear;
regear to 4.10 front and back;
lock the front at least;
LS in the back is OK;
33" tires on some wide rims... 15X8 at least;

about all...

You can also upgrade rear axle to some newer unit that would have 4.10 gears and LS factory installed - kill two birds with one stone.

You'll also need extended brake lines.

That's a good start and base. Instead of going 4" now and upgrading later you spend money once.

Good luck!

 

[Fish Man]

not to mention the disk brakes you would get with an axle swap too!

 

[Dre]

that kind of slipped my mind...

This set-up is currently installed on my rig and IMHO it's the best set-up just before you're ready to upgrade to a solid axle up front...

have questions? shoot!

 

[FordLover]

I seriously doubt my 92 will ever be a serious trail rig, as I don't want to invest that kind of money in it, so for sure a SAS is out of the question.

I have toyed with the idea of late model rear end, hopefully find one with 4.10 limited slip, but it'd be much more likely to find one with 3.73's, which I think are a little to tall for even 31's, but still would be better than my 3.27's.

My question about the spring over in the rear, do you retain your stock springs, and just not use the skyjacker rear leafs? And no axle lengenthing is required for 6 inchs of lift?

Also, where's the best place to shop for the lift and such?

how bad/good is the rough contry lift that is occasionally on e-bay? it's a 6 inch lift and suposedly comes with everything needed, including shocks and steering arm for 650 bucks.
Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Con Seann3ry]

are you only trying to fit 33s? If so just do a 4 inch lift and go to 4.10 gears. You could just take them off of an explorer at a yard that had a towing kit (4.10 gears and limited slip). 3.73s would work for 33s too though. For the lift you should do Skyjacker, I hear better things about it than the superlift.

 

[Dre]

Your best bet to find the lift is to check For Sale forum often. Check Ranger boards as well as you'd need to use Ranger kit for your Explorer if you want to go SOA in the back. All you have to do in the back when you flip the springs is install new spring perches and new shock mounts. Sway bar mounts can be used for that purpose. You can find a 4.10 rear end no problem - it will take some time though... search junk yards all over the place... I was able to pick one up complete with leaf springs and sway bar for $100.00 but had to drive 300 miles. Good luck!

and get Skyjacker...

 

[FordLover]

the more I think about it, I might just do the 4 inch lift. I will be sticking with 31's for a while to come (at least a year). But there is a possibilty of going to 33's in the future, so I will plan for that now.

As it is now, I just need more clearance so my 31's don't rub when flexing, oh, and regear.
Time to go to the junk yard and start lookin around.

 

[FordLover]

ok, after looking, I can get a skyjacker lift for 800+ for my application, or get the same 4 inch lift for a ranger for 400 or so. Is the reason for getting the ranger lift saving money and doing the SOA in the rear?

I'm assuming the skyjacker lift for the 92 4wd explorer doesn't require SOA because it includes new rear springs?

all this I found on 4wheelparts.com
Ranger 4wd: SKY134REK 83-97 4" Lift $416.93
Explorer 4wd: SKY134EXKS 90-94 4" Lift $839.87

Obviously the ranger lift looks more attractive, but seems I must be missing something here.

 

[Con Seann3ry]

Well...remember if you do the soa you have to get the perches welded on and you would want to think about a traction bar

 

[Dre]

traction bar is not something that you really, really need unless you start racing it... just take it easy...

Skyjacker for Ranger is different than the one for an Explorer...

If you go only 4" in the front and SOA in the rear your truck would look kind of silly - rear will be higher than the front... SOA gives you abolut 6" of lift. If you go with 4" go with Explorer lift kit and get new shocks and extended brake lines. I don't think this kit comes with longer radius arms...

good luck...

 

[OC_Explorer]

if you get a 4'' lift on a 4x4 X wont the front tires bow inward?
Also will a ranger lift work for a 4x4 explorer? Ive never seen a 4x4 ranger.

 

[FordLover]

I'm getting lots of great help. I found a pic of a 6 inch lift on a gen 1, and I love it.

I'll definitely do the lift, but I don't have anyway of putting spring perches on for the SOA, I plan on doing the whole job myself, it sounds like the SOA is a bit more than I can handle.

I guess I just need to know why is going with the traditional new spring pack in the rear or doing the SOA in the rear the better choice?

All my truck sees is mud, which is why I'm plenty happy with the 31's, but I do want the 6 inch lift.
Looks like I need to keep my eyes open for a skyjacker lift, or bite the bullet and get a new one.

I also wonder if the skyjacker 6 inch lift is complete, I don't want to get half way into it and realize I need a part to complete it that I have to special order.

Thanks again everyone for the input. oh, and OC_explorer, Ford made a ton of 4x4 rangers.