Newbie to lifts! Please give me a hand!

[bhults]

Hello all...I bought a flawless 1995 Eddie Bauer back in May. As I was familiarizing myself with the truck, and resources where I could find more info on it, I came across another Eddie Bauer (a '97) with a lift that looked awesome (I'm going for a mild off-road look that's functional). I've been told by several people a 3-4" suspension lift would serve my interests well. In researching, I've found many lifts that accomodate model years 91-94, and 96-97+. My questions are:

--Is there something with the '95 that makes it different? Why do I not see kits available for '95, but many for 96+? Will something for a '96+ fit a '95?

--Do I have to purchase a whole lift kit from one manufacturer to gain the results I'm looking for?

-or-

--Can I piece together a setup to serve my purpose instead?

--What am I looking at in terms of cost?

The aforementioned '97 Explorer I found online had mods that included: 1.25" Torsion Twist and Warrior Shackles #153 Lift, Camber Adjustment Kit, American Eagle 589 15"x8" wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO 31x10.5-15 tires, and an18 Tooth Speedometer Gear.

I know this is long winded, but I wanted to throw out all the info I knew to better assist anyone who's willing to give me a response. Thanks alot for yer time...looking forward to learning more.

 

[Lifted95X]

I have the 4" Superlift and a SOA on my 95' sport. It will work fine.

 

[udmsvt]

or the lift you mentioned, its cheap and seay and gets you 1-2". the tortion twist is literally twisting the bolts on the torsion bars up fron which can get you up to 2" and the shackles are in the rear and give 1.5"...they cost about $50. then, you'll just need an alignment and if you want your speedo to be accurate, a new speedo gear which is cheap and easy too.

 

[bhults]

making progess!

Due to an unusually slow day in the office (holiday weekend), I've been all over this site today...I'm glad to see that I could do a mild lift relatively cheaply, and that a TT is easy to do (I saw the diagram, and understand that now)...would this (TT and shackles) be the way to go if I primarily use the truck for on-road use? I tow with it, and ocassionally go off road--to the beach. I know 31's wouldn't be a problem...could I squeeze 32's in there with these modest mods?
Thanks for the help guys...

~Bill

 

[Ricardo Miramontes]

Torsion Twist and 2.5" body lift on mine

Dude, I just got 32"yesterday. My ride has the torsion twist and a 2.5" body lift and the only rub that I experience "on-road" is while turning on the plastic corner piece at the back edge of the fender to the bottom, that little plastic corner piece. I think that once I do some serious flexing of the suspension I will definitely rub at the top of the front fenders and the insides of the back wheel wells.

 

[Hokie]

TT up front, shackles/AAL/4 door leaves in the rear (I have a Sport which had the crappy mono leaf) + 2" BL all around. I'm clearing 32x10.50's (265/75R16) on my stock 16x7 rims with the factory 4.25" back spacing. Looks great and no rubbing. And just rescued a '91 XLT from a mud hole 2 hours ago so I know the setup works.

Oh, and I get all sorts of compliments from people who "ain't never seen no lifted 'splorer before"

 

[bhults]

Absolutely! These trucks look hot lifted...that's why I need all the suggestions I can get...I'll be the first one around my parts with a bigger-than-normal X!

 

[bhults]

So, if I go the route of the TT and shackles, can I do it myself? Do I need any special tools, etc., or just a nice day and some time?

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by bhults
So, if I go the route of the TT and shackles, can I do it myself? Do I need any special tools, etc., or just a nice day and some time?

yes, no, yes

Do a search there are numerous write ups for the TT/shackle lift including pics, tools needed, etc. Seeing those you can decide if its in your skill level, but changing shackles is soo easy and the tt is just jacking the truck and spinning a ratchet.

Good luck!