New to off-roading ?'s

[kanarmAN]

im excited this is a great thread.

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

Very interesting info here looks like the kind of build where you can save up your parts piece by piece and not have to fork over a bunch of money at once.

Thanks for sharing

 

[black91EB]

subscribing.

 

[cmhaah06]

also subscibing. great thread.

 

[black91EB]

So, got some questions/comments of my own.

First off, for those of us that like to hit the junkyards, the F-250 mounts came off of a 1980-1996 4wd F-250. They used a TTB system similar to the explorer/ranger, but leaf sprung. (Dunno why, no one does, but, then, its ford) I own a '92 F-250 4x4, that's how I know this.

Second, does anyone have a part number for the longer shocks? Or, maybe another vehicle that uses the shock we are looking for? I was told that the ZR-2 package on the Chevy/GMC minitrucks and SUVs came with a good shock for this application, but I don't know for sure.

Third, I believe the '79 coils have to come off a 2wd, as the bottom seat on a SA is completely different (Unless there is a trick to adapt them, which would be nice, considering the options)

Also, for those interested in rebuilding their trac lock, here is a great page for directions http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/rebuild_tractionlock.htm

 

[newstylecustoms]

This thread just keeps on going.

I am currently using Jeep ZJ coils and they are to soft, it has amazing flex but on the road it bottoms out all the time.

I am assuming as in the above post that the coils have to be from a 2wd since the lower mounts on the 4x4 are not reduced diameter and would require fabbing a new lower mount.

Any input glfredrick?

 

[glfredrick]

I believe that I used 4x4 springs, but they may have been 2wd. I didn't have any problems with the bottom spring mount. I may have flipped the springs end for end, and ran the pigtail below instead of above if that helps. I never had any problem using the Ford springs. Note that I did capture the top coil to the coil bucket. The fingers Ford uses to hold the coil in place don't really work with the slightly larger diameter springs. I used a small muffler clamp on each side. Worked perfectly. Not using one caused my springs to pop out of the upper coil bucket. Not a fun trail fix, but the upside was that I had enough front end travel to easliy drop in 6" taller springs...

Yes, Jeep springs of all sorts are WAY too soft. The Ford springs are barely strong enough, and you will remain soft up front. I never had issues with bottoming out, but it was definitely soft. I could rock the 'Sploder side-to-side a foot with light hand pressure. Not for everyone, for sure, but it sure worked good on the trails (and yes, I did drive that thing EVERYWHERE -- even with the front sway bar disconnected and the rear bar removed -- it was a handful if you didn't drive it right).

Most of the Jeep coils are 250# rate springs. The Explorer (stock) uses about 500# spring rates. I believe the Ford springs I used were in the 350# range. The difference in rates is due to the leverage of a full-width solid axle versus the much shorter TTB axle arm. It takes a higher rate spring to deal with the short arm of the TTB than the long lever of the SAS.

I used take-off shocks from the front axle of a 2006 Dodge D3500 4x4. They are long enough and will work. I also modified the top of the shock mounts to take a stud instead of an eye, but there are lots of shocks in the catalogs that have an eye on both ends that are also long enough. Check out any major shock manufacturers catalog or just hang out at the salvage yard with a tape measure. That's what I did.

 

[black91EB]

I believe that I used 4x4 springs, but they may have been 2wd. I didn't have any problems with the bottom spring mount. I may have flipped the springs end for end, and ran the pigtail below instead of above if that helps. I never had any problem using the Ford springs. Note that I did capture the top coil to the coil bucket. The fingers Ford uses to hold the coil in place don't really work with the slightly larger diameter springs. I used a small muffler clamp on each side. Worked perfectly. Not using one caused my springs to pop out of the upper coil bucket. Not a fun trail fix, but the upside was that I had enough front end travel to easliy drop in 6" taller springs...

Yes, Jeep springs of all sorts are WAY too soft. The Ford springs are barely strong enough, and you will remain soft up front. I never had issues with bottoming out, but it was definitely soft. I could rock the 'Sploder side-to-side a foot with light hand pressure. Not for everyone, for sure, but it sure worked good on the trails (and yes, I did drive that thing EVERYWHERE -- even with the front sway bar disconnected and the rear bar removed -- it was a handful if you didn't drive it right).

Most of the Jeep coils are 250# rate springs. The Explorer (stock) uses about 500# spring rates. I believe the Ford springs I used were in the 350# range. The difference in rates is due to the leverage of a full-width solid axle versus the much shorter TTB axle arm. It takes a higher rate spring to deal with the short arm of the TTB than the long lever of the SAS.

I used take-off shocks from the front axle of a 2006 Dodge D3500 4x4. They are long enough and will work. I also modified the top of the shock mounts to take a stud instead of an eye, but there are lots of shocks in the catalogs that have an eye on both ends that are also long enough. Check out any major shock manufacturers catalog or just hang out at the salvage yard with a tape measure. That's what I did.

This is why I hang out on this site, I learn lots of things from very helpful folks. My concern about the shocks was valving. I wasn't worried about the length as like you said, a tape would help you out. Thanks for the help glfredrick. It will be a while till I put the longer shocks, as I just bought new stock size ones.

 

[glfredrick]

Stock length shocks ARE the limiting straps on most Ranger/Explorer vehicles. You get all of around 6" of usable travel with the stock setup. More like 16-18" with longer shocks and proper brake lines.

I don't worry all that much about proper valving. Just keep the tire from hopping and I'm good. We're not talking comp vehicle and budget in the same paragraph!

For high speed runs, comp-level rock crawling, heavily technical trails, etc., you'll need to start spending real money. But for first time, budget trail use, the stuff I'm talking about is fine and it will carry you a long way once off the road.

 

[turboranger91]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but as far as the back end goes... Would I be correct in assuming that you'd use a longer shock there to, or is the overload spring the only mod that you use?

 

[glfredrick]

I used a 6" over Ranger shock in the rear. That goes along with the removal of the factory overload spring 9replace with add-a-leaf), the modified spring mounts, the removal of the anti-sway bar and links, longer home-built shackles, and adjustment of the brake line for the amount of travel.

I also cut away most of the sheet metal that hung below the centerline of the tire (up to the body parting line). With that setup, I could stuff 33s.

 

[MERCTHING]

97 Merc AWD LIFT

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and I apologize if this has been posted before but I am having trouble finding other posts to match what I am about to ask. I have a 97 Merc AWD and I want to fit a set of 33" BFG AT's so I am just curious as how to go about getting the correct parts to do so. I have looked through many of the lift kit sites but still have not found much to satisfy what I want. If there is anyone that could help me out i would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

Sean

 

[little x]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and I apologize if this has been posted before but I am having trouble finding other posts to match what I am about to ask. I have a 97 Merc AWD and I want to fit a set of 33" BFG AT's so I am just curious as how to go about getting the correct parts to do so. I have looked through many of the lift kit sites but still have not found much to satisfy what I want. If there is anyone that could help me out i would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

Sean

This is the 91-94 section. But, I'll answer anyway: 3" body lift, shackles and/or aal in the rear, torsion twist in the front. You'll fit 33's no problem, then you'll just need new gears to pull them, but since you have a V-8 it won't be as big of an issue.

Look through the stickies in the 95-01 section, the stickies in the offroad section, and do some searching for the things I mentioned, you should be able to find everything you need.

 

[turboranger91]

I used a 6" over Ranger shock in the rear. That goes along with the removal of the factory overload spring 9replace with add-a-leaf), the modified spring mounts, the removal of the anti-sway bar and links, longer home-built shackles, and adjustment of the brake line for the amount of travel.

I also cut away most of the sheet metal that hung below the centerline of the tire (up to the body parting line). With that setup, I could stuff 33s.

i just can't believe that this is so damn simple. i spent over a grand in lift and tires on my last explorer, and i'm going to do this one for a few hundred... plus tires. lol. already got my 250 shock mounts new from ford and i picked up a set of shackles too. i'm having a hell of a time finding the right spring to use though. there's about zero 75-79 f150's around here. i think i might be stuck buying those brand new along with the correct shocks. i'll be picking up the AAL's on my next day off, then i just need to order a body lift. i may have a line on a good set of 33's for a hundred bucks, but i won't know for a few days.
i know you've posted pictures of the truck, but can you post some of the actual suspension, just for reference purposes?

 

[newstylecustoms]

glfredrick, do you have any pics of your front springs? I know I am beating a dead horse but I have a 77 2wd F150 I can us springs off of temporarily but I don't want to go to all the trouble of removing them if they are not the springs you are referring to.

Also were you able to install the F250 shock mounts without affecting the A/C box on the passenger side? When I built my radius arms I wanted to build a mount higher up but I couldn't do it without hitting the A/C or at least it looked that way.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[turboranger91]

quick question regarding the front shocks from the 3500 dodge. i notice they have two separate part numbers depending on weather it's a standard cab or extended cab. 2 or 4 wheel drive doesn't matter, just the cab. do you remember what the ones that you used came off of? i would imagine that the extended cab ones would be a bit longer to counter the weight of the body, but i may be wrong, and that might be too much.

 

[glfredrick]

glfredrick, do you have any pics of your front springs? I know I am beating a dead horse but I have a 77 2wd F150 I can us springs off of temporarily but I don't want to go to all the trouble of removing them if they are not the springs you are referring to.

Also were you able to install the F250 shock mounts without affecting the A/C box on the passenger side? When I built my radius arms I wanted to build a mount higher up but I couldn't do it without hitting the A/C or at least it looked that way.

Thanks for all the help.

The shock mounts will work fine. They mount on the outside of the frame rail and also tip outward some. Won't interfere with the A/C box at all. Had them on my Explorer with A/C.

You can see the springs here, but no details... Never took a picture of just the front springs I guess.

Here are the springs I played with... From left to right, 6" full-size Bronco, 4" early Bronco, F 150 4x4, Explorer stock, 86 Ranger STX 2" factory.

Early front view (still running 31s and no front or rear fender sheet metal cutting)

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/500/15014spring_1.jpg

 

[glfredrick]

quick question regarding the front shocks from the 3500 dodge. i notice they have two separate part numbers depending on weather it's a standard cab or extended cab. 2 or 4 wheel drive doesn't matter, just the cab. do you remember what the ones that you used came off of? i would imagine that the extended cab ones would be a bit longer to counter the weight of the body, but i may be wrong, and that might be too much.

I used shocks from the extended cab.

Are you going out and buying new shocks? If so, get some Ranchos or something instead!

 

[newstylecustoms]

Okay, since you listed the 4x4 F150 springs as some you had tried I can assume that the ones you are using are 2wd F150 springs. Thanks for the input on the upper shock mounts.

 

[turboranger91]

I used shocks from the extended cab.

Are you going out and buying new shocks? If so, get some Ranchos or something instead!

lol.
was the truck that you used a gas or diesel motor? apparently that matters too.