new here

[97explorer_memo]

hello guyz my name is memo i live in arlington texas and i bought a 1997 ford explorer and am planning some future mods for it ill ppost pics of my truck tomorrow its dirty right now cuz it has been raining alot. i really wanna learn more about this truck cuz i cant find any lowering kits thanx

 

[Glen4X4]

Welcome To The Forum! Search the forum, many threads on lowering.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[xglyphicx]

welcome. I also have a 1997 I've been tinkering with since 2004.. and have found these forums extremely useful. Good luck!

 

[97explorer_memo]

thanx

 

[BrianDye]

hello guyz my name is memo i live in arlington texas and i bought a 1997 ford explorer and am planning some future mods for it ill ppost pics of my truck tomorrow its dirty right now cuz it has been raining alot. i really wanna learn more about this truck cuz i cant find any lowering kits thanx

The easiest way to lower them would be a "TT" (Torsion twist) and blocks on the leafs.

TT: Theres 2 bolts that you can wrench on to lower/lift it up to about 2.5"

Blocks: Get the kit at AutoZone they have 1", 2", and 3" its 20" and seems fairly easy todo also, comes with the blocks, longer "U" bolts (I think theyre called) and the hardware you need.

 

[97explorer_memo]

The easiest way to lower them would be a "TT" (Torsion twist) and blocks on the leafs.

TT: Theres 2 bolts that you can wrench on to lower/lift it up to about 2.5"

Blocks: Get the kit at AutoZone they have 1", 2", and 3" its 20" and seems fairly easy todo also, comes with the blocks, longer "U" bolts (I think theyre called) and the hardware you need.

but how about the ride will it feel smooth or not and maybe thats y my truck is like 1 inch lower on one side and were is the 2 bolts located

 

[BrianDye]

Search for torsion twist 101, theres a HUGE thread on how to, I never got around to lowering my explorer when I had it, so I cant talk about how they ride, some members say they ride better, some say they ride a little stiffer.

I cant imagine it being a big difference.

Your leafs might be worn out, which is why your crooked, its a VERY common problem with 91-01 Explorers (01-03 sports also), but usually the leafs wear evenly causing the ass-sag

 

[97explorer_memo]

Search for torsion twist 101, theres a HUGE thread on how to, I never got around to lowering my explorer when I had it, so I cant talk about how they ride, some members say they ride better, some say they ride a little stiffer.

I cant imagine it being a big difference.

Your leafs might be worn out, which is why your crooked, its a VERY common problem with 91-01 Explorers (01-03 sports also), but usually the leafs wear evenly causing the ass-sag

no but i mean its lowered from one side the drivers side

 

[Glen4X4]

The driver side being a lower can happen because of more weight being on the driver side so the torsion bar and leaf springs generally wear a little quicker. The ride I would say would be smoother because when you lower by turning the torsion bar bolt you are taking tension off the torsion bar.

 

[97explorer_memo]

The driver side being a lower can happen because of more weight being on the driver side so the torsion bar and leaf springs generally wear a little quicker. The ride I would say would be smoother because when you lower by turning the torsion bar bolt you are taking tension off the torsion bar.

yeah ive always driven cars and now with the suv the turns i feel im ganna flip so lowering it it wont feel like that right

 

[Glen4X4]

yeah ive always driven cars and now with the suv the turns i feel im ganna flip so lowering it it wont feel like that right

I wouldn't worry about flipping as long as your tires are in good shape and sway bar bushings, shocks and springs are in good shape. I drive a mountain everyday and take those corners faster than highway speeds. But in the position of lowering, it may make the handling worse due to the torsion bars not having having as much tension it could let the truck move side to side more, not sure if the stiffer bars may help...

 

[97explorer_memo]

oh ok thanx and one more do i just twist it and thats it or do i need to do something else apart from measuring

 

[Glen4X4]

Some people say to get an alignment afterwards but I myself have not and have not noticed any wierd wear patterns but then again I replaced all my suspension components last year and every truck is different so you may want to get an alignment.

 

[97explorer_memo]

thanx i was reading on how to do it so if i loose the bolt it will lower and if i thighten it it will lift the truck

 

[Glen4X4]

You are correct, good word of advice is spray with PB Blaster or JB80 6mins before you start cranking on them to make it easier and less chance of breaking the bolt.

 

[97explorer_memo]

thanx