New to off-roading ?'s

[glfredrick]

I get the no cash thing. I'm in the process of building a radical Ranger with almost no money. It has taken me several years, and I've bought and sold a lot of stuff to get the parts I need with hardly any money outlay.

In your case, the big winch might be tradable to a smaller unit -- or run without one. Winches are needed more depending on your wheeling terrain, and especially if you wheel places where you can get in real trouble (versus just the inconvenience of getting stuck) or if you wheel alone (which I never advise).

Most of the time, a strap will suffice, and in that sticky spot a come-along or high-lift jack (can be used to pull as well as lift) will get you out.

 

[nitro71]

Wheeling alone is fun if you have a gal with ya : )

 

[nitro71]

Let me make sure I have it right, the spring you mentioned won't change ride height without the coil spring seats? Then you put the seat in and gain 1.5". Then you can put a War shackle drop on the rear along with the softer load spring. So you gain about 1.5" of lift with better articulation. Would you recomend a 2" or 3" body lift to go with this?

 

[Glen4X4]

Let me make sure I have it right, the spring you mentioned won't change ride height without the coil spring seats? Then you put the seat in and gain 1.5". Then you can put a War shackle drop on the rear along with the softer load spring. So you gain about 1.5" of lift with better articulation. Would you recomend a 2" or 3" body lift to go with this?

Yes you understood him right, and it'd be alright to add a body lift along with it.

 

[nitro71]

Would you go 2" or 3" on that body lift? I'm thinking 32 or 33's will be the biggest tire I'd like to fit eventually. Came with some 31's on it.

 

[Glen4X4]

I would just go with the 3" body lift. 33's will fit easier and better under it with the coil seat and shackles along with a 3" body lift.

 

[nitro71]

3" it is then! I think I have my upgrades planned out. Now it's time to start getting parts. Got a drop hitch and a blower motor yesterday. Getting shocks today as mine are shot and will start looking for the springs and spacers off the F150.

Is there a cheaper way to soften up the rear instead of buying the leaf new? Like a donor part off something?

 

[glfredrick]

I would just go with the 3" body lift. 33's will fit easier and better under it with the coil seat and shackles along with a 3" body lift.

Exactly. I ran a 3" on mine and had no problems running and stuffing 33s. There are lots of pics of my 'Sploder all over the site -- just search my photo album.

I softened up the rear by removing the factory overload spring. That will only allow about half the spring travel upward before stopping all movement. I replaced it with a generic overload leaf (full length) from Autozone. They sell for under $40 a pair. You could also use something like a BDS full-length add-a-leaf, but the price goes up and you don't gain anything.

I could turn my rear springs inside out -- it was plenty soft once the factory overload was dumped.

 

[nitro71]

Turn your springs inside out? Does that gain you lift without the shackle drop?

 

[glfredrick]

No, the springs turn inside-out (reverse arch is a better term) when I stuff the rear wheels up into the wheel wells.

There is no special trick to somehow turn leaf springs inside out for more lift... Sorry if my poor choice of words confused you.

I've found that articulation is KING in the off-road world -- NOT lift. Use just as much lift as is needed to fit the tires you'll run -- any more than that is too much (unless you are running Mississippi mud, then all bets are off, but an Explorer isn't gonna do that anyway). Everyone wants to get as tall as possible, but if you actually plan on off-roading your truck, stay low.

My new build has ZERO lift, but is running 38s. Of course, everything that gets in the way of the tires will be removed.

Here's a teaser shot:

 

[nitro71]

Awesome! Thats a insane project you got going there. What kinda monster is that gonna be? Glad I found your posts as I was planning on spending big $$ for a lift sometime just so I could off road better. Looks aren't that important to me. $$ and capability are.

 

[glfredrick]

It is an 86 Ranger -- sort of. I just added specs on my vehicle specs tab.

It will have an extended cab body and full exo cage once it is finishedl. Only front sheet metal will be fender tops and hood/grill all else is tube.

 

[nitro71]

Are 75 to 79 the only years to get the softer springs? Was looking for them today, can't quite recall all the vehicles. Think the closest I found was a 1980.

 

[glfredrick]

Are 75 to 79 the only years to get the softer springs? Was looking for them today, can't quite recall all the vehicles. Think the closest I found was a 1980.

There was a redesign in 1980. It may work fine, but it would be trial and error. For the price of you-pull springs, I'd get some and see what happens.

 

[yostyexplorer94]

Wheeling alone is fun if you have a gal with ya : )

I will have to 2nd that one!

 

[tom_mcmullen006]

This is a great thread I am glad I came Across this! I have a completely stock 92 XLT Explorer.

 

[glfredrick]

Glad to hear this stuff is helping some newbies... Its at least worth the price of admission.

 

[thewifey21]

i too could use some help.....
my husband has a 92 4x4 explorer. he keeps saying that he needs "6inch lift coil springs".
i have no idea what that is, what it looks like, and where to get them!
HELP!!!!

 

[glfredrick]

A couple questions are in order before we get around to buying just springs...

1. Does he already have a lift kit on the explorer? (Is he proud of the fact that it sits higher in the air than most explorers? -- If so, that is a good sign that he has already lifted it some and won't need a complete lift kit, otherwise we'll go in a different direction.)

2. Has he done something to lift the rear of the Explorer, such as move the leaf springs to the top of the axles?

3. Does he have long enough shocks to work with a 6" lift?

If the answers to any of those questions are no, then he will probably need a complete lift kit, not just springs.

Here are a couple of links to reliable vendors that can sell you the parts you need. Of course, you can also check eBay, Craig's List, etc., for used parts.

The first is a company that builds a well-engineered lift kit, and who stands behind their product with a lifetime warranty (even on the springs). The kit is listed for a Ranger, but it will also fit the FRONT of an Explorer. He won't be able to use the rear blocks, but could probably sell them to someone else. He CAN use the add-a-leafs in the Explorer rear springs.

http://www.bds-suspension.com/kits/518H

The second kit is a Skyjacker kit with multiple options from 4-Wheel Parts, who also sells a number of other kits, springs, etc. Again, it is for a Ranger, but the FRONT suspensions are the same on Rangers and Explorers - it is only the rear suspension that is different.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...-System.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=5491&t_pl=3744

And then, there is this set of 6" lift coils ONLY listed on eBay (no recommendation for the seller):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-90...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[turboranger91]

I'm glad I found this thread. When I had my last Explorer, I did a good bit of research, but in the interest of time, decided to go with the 5.5" superlift. That worked out perfect for what I needed, and I had a blast with the truck. I'm picking up my new Explorer in a couple weeks (93 xlt, 4 door, 5 speed), and I know that I'm going to hate wheeling it stock after building my last one. This build really peaks my interest. One thing I didn't like about the superlift kit was that it was very stiff and didn't articulate much, especially In the front. I've started making a list of all the parts that you mention here, and will deffinitely take this route on my new one.