New shocks and tires...

[carlos9]

i definitely need to replace the shocks on my '96 explorer and the tires will probably need to be replaced by the beginning of winter...

so, my question is twofold:

1. are there any shocks out there that would give me a small lift? i'm not interested in a lift kit etc, just wondering if i could raise the truck with shocks only?

2. what is the largest tire i can get on the stock 15 inch rims? depending on the answer to the first part of my question, i would like to maybe put something larger than the p235/75r15 that i am currently running. again, i'm not interested in getting new rims, just utilising what i currently have.

thanks in advance.

 

[LONO100]

pro comp es 3000's have been known to give you a little height, like an inch but not much more. i got a set but im still waiting for them to come in the mail.

 

[carlos9]

pro comp es 3000's have been known to give you a little height, like an inch but not much more. i got a set but im still waiting for them to come in the mail.

thanks. i'd also read the monroe sensa-tracs will add a little lift, especially in the rear... can anyone confirm this?

 

[dcdyd]

It is Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjustable Shock Absorber and the part# is 58617. I am using it with my 98 EB and installed it back in March. It lifted the rear of the truck about one and half inch. Now the rear is alsomost at the same height with the front.

 

[SoNic67]

You can add a small lift block or add a shackle extension... and use any shock you like.

 

[carlos9]

You can add a small lift block under the leaf or add a shackle extension... and use any shock you like.

can you explain in a little more detail about the lift block?! i'm a complete idiot when it comes to vehicles! i can't be bothered with the shackle extension.. i was just hoping that i could get a little lift out of the new shocks i had to install anyway.

 

[carlos9]

any ideas on the tire question i posed?

 

[carlos9]

It is Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjustable Shock Absorber and the part# is 58617. I am using it with my 98 EB and installed it back in March. It lifted the rear of the truck about one and half inch. Now the rear is alsomost at the same height with the front.

did you put them in the front too? i know the front and rear are different, just wasn't sure if the i could expect the same result if i changed all four. i don't think the rear is really sagging, it might be i guess but i would like to make sure the truck is level when i'm done...

 

[SoNic67]

Sorry, if you have leafs UNDER axle, the only option is longer shackle.
Link below is a Tacoma, but is similar with the Explorer. You don't want to get lift, you will just restore the height so the standard lenght shocks will be ok.
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/lift/downey shackles.htm
As for the load bearing shocks, Monroe has only the rear ones. Gabriel has both - check their sites for catalogs.

 

[dcdyd]

did you put them in the front too? i know the front and rear are different, just wasn't sure if the i could expect the same result if i changed all four. i don't think the rear is really sagging, it might be i guess but i would like to make sure the truck is level when i'm done...

The load adjustable shocks are only for the rear. For front, I used Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber (37122). I don't need to lift the front.

 

[carlos9]

Sorry, if you have leafs UNDER axle, the only option is longer shackle.
Link below is a Tacoma, but is similar with the Explorer. You don't want to get lift, you will just restore the height so the standard lenght shocks will be ok.
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/lift/downey shackles.htm
As for the load bearing shocks, Monroe has only the rear ones. Gabriel has both - check their sites for catalogs.

cheers mate! that looks like a lot more work than i can handle! i know the load adjusting shock is only for the rear but was wondering if there was something similar for the front? my concern is that the rear isn't really sagging, so if i do get the 1 1/2 inch of lift in the rear like dcdyd did, i don't want the truck to be uneven. i guess there's only one way to find out!

while we're at it, any idea about the tires?!

 

[carlos9]

nevermind about the tire question. i found my answer

 

[SoNic67]

Gabriel makes ones for front for some models. Just select your ride on their selector tool to see if there are available:
http://www.partcat.com/gabriel/
If not, the front can be raised by rotating/twisting the torsion bars up... Not super easy either.

 

[carlos9]

Gabriel makes ones for front for some models. Just select your ride on their selector tool to see if there are available:
http://www.partcat.com/gabriel/
If not, the front can be raised by rotating/twisting the torsion bars up... Not super easy either.

thats great, thanks a lot.

 

[rockyfly]

So what was the answer to your tire question?...I have the same issue, the largest tire I can use on the 15" rims...what did you do? Thanks!

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Go to the Modified 95-01 forum. There is a very good sticky covering the subject of tire sizes stock/non-stock in lots of detail.