Newb with clarification question...

[Chaos83]

Hey all, this is my first time posting here. I'm here doin a little research and I figure you guys would be the ones to ask. I do not own a Sport Trac, my cousin does and he wants to put on some lift shackles and do a TT at the end of the month. So I've got a few questions before I help him out with this.
1. Where can I get a good stout set of lift shackles?
2. Whats the deal with 'torsion keys'? Do you really need them to do the TT?
3. May sound dumb, but for this kind of lift its just the shackles and the TT right? Theres no secret hidden side procedure for this type of lift right (aside from an alignment)?

Sorry if this is a repeat question guys. I tried using your search function and couldn't come up with any clear answers.

 

[JohnnyO]

1. Warrior WAR-153 shackles are stout and common. Most of the 4x4 mail order houses will have them. About $55.
2. No. You might get a little more lift out of keys than simply turning the bolts but that just over-extends the suspension, which is not a good thing. The shackles lift the rear 1.5" so there is no point in lifting the front more than that.
3. Nope, just install the shackles, crank the bars, and get an alignment. Although I'd also suggest new shocks if it still has the originals. They are way too soft even when new.

My old '05 with a torsion twist and shackles and 32" tires.

 

[Chaos83]

Awesome, thanks. Nice truck, whats the tire size capacity with this kind of lift?

 

[JohnnyO]

32" or a narrow 33" like a 33x10.50-15 or 285/75-16. On the stock rims you will need a .75" to 1.0" spacer or the tires will rub on the inside.
On my old Trac in the photo I had 265/75-16's (32") on the stock rims with no spacers. The rears rubbed the inner fender a little bit but not enough that you'd notice. I went smaller than I could have because 1) it had 3.73 gears and not 4.10's, 2) I actually did off-road it and flex it out, and 3) I don't like spacers.
With a TT/shackle lift you can also fit 32x11.50-15's IF you buy 15x8 wheels with 3.75" backspace. Stock backspace is a little over 4" as I recall, which is why larger tires will rub on the inside when mounted on the stock wheels.
Anything bigger and you need at least a body lift.

 

[Chaos83]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of spacers either, and I definately wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Don't think he's ready to go for some new wheels (yet) but he will need new tires sometime in the near future. I think once we do this lift that Mod Bug is gonna get him and turn him into one of us mod junkies. Thanks for the help JohnnyO.