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2001ExpSport
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T-Bone,
Trailmaster makes a 4" lift for the Explorer seperate from the Ranger. The SOA and SUA is the only difference.
What Ray was trying to say was that for is early model explorer he had to get the Ranger kit and that required some mods. He is also staying with the SUA set up and getting his own leaf pack. Basically he made this kit work for his truck and I think he has a '97.
When you do get your kit, it will come with new springs so you don't have to mess with that. All you'll need to do is take a lot of things off to install the brackets and install the old stuff onto the brackets like is was on the frame. Move some brake line mounts, etc. and install your spring packs and you're set. I am guessing this would be a 8 hour job. The leaf pack will install in less than an hour. The front set-up will be the most difficult as it is the bulk of the lift.
I was serious about the offer, keep it in mind.
Trailmaster makes a 4" lift for the Explorer seperate from the Ranger. The SOA and SUA is the only difference.
What Ray was trying to say was that for is early model explorer he had to get the Ranger kit and that required some mods. He is also staying with the SUA set up and getting his own leaf pack. Basically he made this kit work for his truck and I think he has a '97.
When you do get your kit, it will come with new springs so you don't have to mess with that. All you'll need to do is take a lot of things off to install the brackets and install the old stuff onto the brackets like is was on the frame. Move some brake line mounts, etc. and install your spring packs and you're set. I am guessing this would be a 8 hour job. The leaf pack will install in less than an hour. The front set-up will be the most difficult as it is the bulk of the lift.
I was serious about the offer, keep it in mind.
Thanks again for the offer, Matt! So you have been dabbling with your suspension, huh? That's great. Man, I have zero experience under there. I'd get under there and crush my body when the engine dropped on me.
It would be great experience to do the install with you. I think I'm going to go with the 15" rims eventually like you did. What wheel did you get again and why did you choose that one?
T-Bone
It would be great experience to do the install with you. I think I'm going to go with the 15" rims eventually like you did. What wheel did you get again and why did you choose that one?
T-Bone
2001ExpSport
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I bought the 31x10.5R15 BFG MT A/T
One good reason to have 15's is because it gives you more tire between the rim and the road. This is really for offroad use and really doesn't matter on the road. For instance; If you were to hit a large rock or stump, the tire will take the beating and not your rim. Less tire gives a better chance of your tire flatening and your rim hitting the rock or stump. It is hard to explain here, I would have to show you. I saw this big thing on some TNN 4x4 show and they talked about more tire being better. Imagine a huge 33" on a 15" rim, thats a lot of tire. I bought the AR rims because they were steel and will bend if they get a hard hit. They are 30 bucks a piece, I can't go wrong. Now that I have them, I kinda with I bought the Baja rims instead. I will run these for a while and maybe get the Baja's next year or something. I see something different everyday and then I want it so, I will stick with what I have now or I will go bankrupt!....
Anyways, The tread is real aggresive and looks cool. They sound cool too. Also, 15" tires are cheaper than 16", that was another of my deciding factors.
Anything else?
One good reason to have 15's is because it gives you more tire between the rim and the road. This is really for offroad use and really doesn't matter on the road. For instance; If you were to hit a large rock or stump, the tire will take the beating and not your rim. Less tire gives a better chance of your tire flatening and your rim hitting the rock or stump. It is hard to explain here, I would have to show you. I saw this big thing on some TNN 4x4 show and they talked about more tire being better. Imagine a huge 33" on a 15" rim, thats a lot of tire. I bought the AR rims because they were steel and will bend if they get a hard hit. They are 30 bucks a piece, I can't go wrong. Now that I have them, I kinda with I bought the Baja rims instead. I will run these for a while and maybe get the Baja's next year or something. I see something different everyday and then I want it so, I will stick with what I have now or I will go bankrupt!....
Anyways, The tread is real aggresive and looks cool. They sound cool too. Also, 15" tires are cheaper than 16", that was another of my deciding factors.
Anything else?
Ya, I found that one out the hard way, buddyDead Link Removed
What do you like about the Baja rims compared to the ones you have now?
Also, with 15" rims that I will get and the 4" Trailmaster life that we will get, what kind of tires can we expect to put on?
T-Bone
2001ExpSport
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33's should fit nicely.
This is the wheel I have now, they actually look pretty good, but I miss the chrome look.
This is what I like a bit better-American Racing Baja
Eagle Alloys AE-589
Mickey Thompson Specials
[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 08-31-2000 at 09:14 PM]
This is the wheel I have now, they actually look pretty good, but I miss the chrome look.
This is what I like a bit better-American Racing Baja
Eagle Alloys AE-589
Mickey Thompson Specials
[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 08-31-2000 at 09:14 PM]
2001ExpSport
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One more thing, if you get 15" rims, you will have to get a new set of tires.
33" MT's!!!!!!
33" MT's!!!!!!
I'm on the same page, my man! I want those mudders now, I regret not getting them in the first place!
Thanks for the pics. I like the American Racing and the Eagles. Those look like polished Alum., I'm guessing they are. This is an expensive hobby, but if you have the cash, its a fun time
T-Bone
Thanks for the pics. I like the American Racing and the Eagles. Those look like polished Alum., I'm guessing they are. This is an expensive hobby, but if you have the cash, its a fun time
T-Bone
2001ExpSport
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I saw the Bajas at Pep Boys and yes, they are polished alum.
I was trying to be thrifty when I bought my wheel package. It was either nice wheels and no name tires or BFG MT's and low end wheels. I went for the BFG's obviously and for good reason. They are a great tire and have the same 3 ply carcass w/2 full steel belts and mileage as the KO's. I'll bet I get the same mileage as you because I have thicker treads than the KO. I have twice the tread thickness as your KO tire. I am working on you real good aren't I? I looked at General MT's, they have a 2 ply and low mileage(20,000). I should get 40,000 miles out of my BFG's no prob.
Back to the wheels, the ones I have now are only 40 bucks, Pep Boys is selling the Baja's for $94. I think I might splurg and buy the rims later and just ditch or sell my black ones. I also need a spare, I might order that one from Natl Tire. You don't know until you try these things and you're right, we have expensive hobbies. I have always had expensive hobbies so I am used to it. Before this I used to be big into 1/4 scale R/C planes....talk about cash magnet.
I was trying to be thrifty when I bought my wheel package. It was either nice wheels and no name tires or BFG MT's and low end wheels. I went for the BFG's obviously and for good reason. They are a great tire and have the same 3 ply carcass w/2 full steel belts and mileage as the KO's. I'll bet I get the same mileage as you because I have thicker treads than the KO. I have twice the tread thickness as your KO tire. I am working on you real good aren't I? I looked at General MT's, they have a 2 ply and low mileage(20,000). I should get 40,000 miles out of my BFG's no prob.
Back to the wheels, the ones I have now are only 40 bucks, Pep Boys is selling the Baja's for $94. I think I might splurg and buy the rims later and just ditch or sell my black ones. I also need a spare, I might order that one from Natl Tire. You don't know until you try these things and you're right, we have expensive hobbies. I have always had expensive hobbies so I am used to it. Before this I used to be big into 1/4 scale R/C planes....talk about cash magnet.
2001ExpSport
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