Newbie with Question about lift....

[lifted95]

Hey guys, brand new to the forum, so please be patient with me. I have a 95 XLT 4x4 that my wife been driving. I had to give up my 2005 Dodge Magnum so she could get a new car and I got stuck with the beater. Let me tell you I love this Explorer!! Its a great vehicle, 160k on the odo, but runs great. I'm ready for some mods! Here's my question...

I've got an appointment on Friday for a lift (TT in front and add-a-leafs in the rear). Going for that 2" lift! I've got 15x8 Procomp 1069's on the way to the shop with 32x11.5x15 Procomp mud terrains being mounted. The guys at the shop have been of no help because they haven't done a lift and large tires on an explorer here in part of town before. They're not sure if the 32's will work. I have done many searches, some say yes, some say no. I have seen a great looking black explorer on the forum with 32s on a stock wheel, but I know the aftermarket wheel is a different story. I need someone to say yes the 32s will work, only rubbing during offroading, or no, the 32s will not work, go with 31s!

(Also, any one have a preference between the ProComp Mud terrains vs. the ProComp Xterrains?)

Thanks

 

[explrths]

32s will work, with rubbing. You can trim the plastic trim pieces back alittle to help. I just took mine off all together. If i remember correctly the mud terrians dont have a super aggressive side lug, like say the xterrians, and being a 11.5 instead of a 12.5 It should work. If it scrubs, trim the fender.

 

[2000Xplorer]

lifted95, why pay someone to do a TT and AAL? they are easy and can be done yourself

 

['97 V8]

heres a link o you can identify where the t-bar bolt is. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47345

read this. The whole process is 5 mins. If you have a jack and a 13mm socket then you can do it..All you do is just tighten the bolt. Before you do it though, measure the fender to ground distance and keep crankin till you hit 2 inches...go for a drive then measure again after they have settled and crank the bolts some more for more finer adjustment to the hieght.

the aal, all you do is put the truck on jackstands from the frame and place a jack under the axle. unbolt the u-bolts and the center pin. Then get 2 c-clamps and clap both sides of the leafs except for the last one thats on the bottom. Jack the axle up remove that bottom leaf and put in the extra leaf. Then replace the center bolt with the thicker proc comp one. Lower axle down making sure the eye of the bolt meets with the axle. Then put the u-bolts back in.Tihten them dowm in a criss cross pattern. Then tighten the center bolt nut.

Thats all. its a 30 mins process in total.

 

[gavin]

[QUOTE='97 V8]heres a link o you can identify where the t-bar bolt is. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47345

read this. The whole process is 5 mins. If you have a jack and a 13mm socket then you can do it..All you do is just tighten the bolt. Before you do it though, measure the fender to ground distance and keep crankin till you hit 2 inches...go for a drive then measure again after they have settled and crank the bolts some more for more finer adjustment to the hieght.

the aal, all you do is put the truck on jackstands from the frame and place a jack under the axle. unbolt the u-bolts and the center pin. Then get 2 c-clamps and clap both sides of the leafs except for the last one thats on the bottom. Jack the axle up remove that bottom leaf and put in the extra leaf. Then replace the center bolt with the thicker proc comp one. Lower axle down making sure the eye of the bolt meets with the axle. Then put the u-bolts back in.Tihten them dowm in a criss cross pattern. Then tighten the center bolt nut.

Thats all. its a 30 mins process in total.[/QUOTE]

cycle the suspension after so many turns of the adjuster bolt tho. Jump up and down on the bumper a bit to make sure it gets to ride height

 

[lifted95]

lifted95, why pay someone to do a TT and AAL? they are easy and can be done yourself

I would attempt to do this myself, but I live in a condo and I'm limited with space and tools. 4wheelparts only charges like $25 for the TT, the rear leaf install is around $100 with parts. If I did this all myself, I would still have to have the truck aligned, so there's no getting away from that charge.

 

[lifted95]

Hey guys, would a body lift be a better option?? I could do the body lift for around $300 more total, thats with the kit and install. I would rather go cheap, but I want it done right. I can't afford to do both right now. 32's is as big as I would want to go on the explorer, its an everyday driver on the highway.

 

[gluvsave35]

do it all tt aal and a body lift, it will come out nice with all 3!

 

[hiridin]

Hey guys, would a body lift be a better option?? I could do the body lift for around $300 more total, thats with the kit and install. I would rather go cheap, but I want it done right. I can't afford to do both right now. 32's is as big as I would want to go on the explorer, its an everyday driver on the highway.

with the body lift u have to get a body lift for a different vehicle... and the bumper brackets would have to be custom made. is 4wheelparts willing to do all that? and how much extra will they charge for it? make sure of all these things before u decide. cuz it could mean a good bit of extra $$$ on top of what they already said. only reason i like the body lift idea is cuz you'll be running 3" of lift on 32's. it'll look better imo(except for the body lift gap) and there will be less chance of rubbing. if your going with a 2" body lift u might as well do the torsion twist idea. but like gluvsave35 said... both would look good too 4-5" of lift total would give it a nice stance. as for tires i don't like any of the procomps but if i had to choose i'd go with the xterrains i guess. but seriously u should get some bfg mt's imo

 

[lifted95]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably start with the TT and the AAL for now. As I said, this is a daily driver and will not see the off road very often. I'm mainly going for the look. I have to drive this truck for the next 4 years so I'm getting her as good looking as possible. From others I've seen, the 2" lift with 31's or 32's should be plenty for me. Someone said I may have to put spacers on the front for extra clearance.

Someone asked about cost of the body lift...
I was quoted $150 or so on the kit, $490 on the install.

I have a buddy with a Rubicon Unlimited that has been lifted 4". He did a 2" body lift, and spacers/blocks I believe. He recommended the TT and AAL, with 31's. He told me that if I was really offroading the vehicle, a larger lift would be ideal, but for my purposes, a 2" lift would be plenty.

 

[FROADER]

What about shackles instead of the aal? Wont be as stiff, and probably cheaper for them to install.

 

[hiridin]

What about shackles instead of the aal? Wont be as stiff, and probably cheaper for them to install.

i'm guessing his 95 is sagged a good bit in the rear. the shackles will probably get him back to stock heigth (maybe) but he'd need the add-a-leafs to bring it up to the same as the front with the torsion twist. i got 2.5" of lift out of my add-a-leafs and all it did was level me out. if i would've tt i would've need the shackles too. personally i'd shoot for 32's but it all is depending on the gears in your truck. and if that means u get the body lift so be it. as soon as u lift it your going to wish u went that much more with it. atleast thats how it usually works.

 

[lifted95]

i'm guessing his 95 is sagged a good bit in the rear. the shackles will probably get him back to stock heigth (maybe) but he'd need the add-a-leafs to bring it up to the same as the front with the torsion twist. i got 2.5" of lift out of my add-a-leafs and all it did was level me out. if i would've tt i would've need the shackles too. personally i'd shoot for 32's but it all is depending on the gears in your truck. and if that means u get the body lift so be it. as soon as u lift it your going to wish u went that much more with it. atleast thats how it usually works.

I'm probably going to get the body lift done in a month or two. $1300 for new wheels, tires, and 2" lift is about all the wife will let me do right now. I still have to get it in a paint booth for a new paint job and get my stereo installed. I had a killer stereo that I pulled out of my Magnum. I've also got to get new wiper arms (very cheap) and decide on replacing my stock head and taillights. I think 2" with the beefy 32's will be good for now.

 

[2000Xplorer]

what tires and wheels are you going with?

 

[lifted95]

what tires and wheels are you going with?

I've ordered a set of ProComp Mud Terrains, 32x11.5x15 mounted on a set of ProComp 1069's. I wanted 1079's, but they are on backorder and I don't really think its worth an extra $100 overall, plus the wait to have the beadlock look. I decided on all ProComp equipment b/c 4wheelparts has got a sweet deal going this month:

$75 off a set of 4 tires (ProComp)
$75 off a set of 4 wheels (ProComp)
Free mount and balance on all ProComp tires

Thats about a $250 value, so basically my lift is free! I just hope the 32's work

 

[UtahX]

Like someone else suggested look into the BFG AT/KOs.

 

[lifted95]

Like someone else suggested look into the BFG AT/KOs.

Got a brand new set of BFG Long trails, 30x9.5x15 on my Explorer. Looking for something a little more aggressive than the BFG ATs. Thats why I'm going with the Mud Terrrains. I only drive my Explorer approximately 125 miles a week, so longevity is of no issues. 95% of my driving is highway. I'm looking more for value. If I can save $175 to go with a set of ProComps, then to me its a no brainer.