No more spacers for me.

[NHarris]

So if anybody can answer this I'd appreciate it.

Since the upper control arms (uca) are changed on the 4th gens are they any better for the ball joints (reducing stress) than the 3rd gens uca?

 

[xplorerguru]

So if anybody can answer this I'd appreciate it.

Since the upper control arms (uca) are changed on the 4th gens are they any better for the ball joints (reducing stress) than the 3rd gens uca?

The 4th gens are worse IMO. well actually not my opinion going off JOECOOL (think thats name) had the same amount of lift on his sport trac as i did my explorer (stock now, looks sexy and better off road then with lift)..... my angles where bad his were HORRIBLE. that was a 2.5 lift.

 

[NHarris]

The 4th gens are worse IMO. well actually not my opinion going off JOECOOL (think thats name) had the same amount of lift on his sport trac as i did my explorer (stock now, looks sexy and better off road then with lift)..... my angles where bad his were HORRIBLE. that was a 2.5 lift.

Thanks for the input. I still want to get those BTF UCAs sometime as they are the best solution and best way to go

 

[xplorerguru]

Thanks for the input. I still want to get those BTF UCAs sometime as they are the best solution and best way to go

they sound like a good idea! i say new uppers with king shocks is the way to go!

 

[zpaperboyz]

I just pulled my spacers. It's been a year with so many wrecked parts It's hard to list. The latest was a broken strut. I replaced it and pulled my spacers. I'm leaving the body lift though.

So for things that you can be pretty sure will break if you take your vehicle off the pavement.
Ball joints - I did them several times.
Hubs - 4 times on the left and 3 on the right.
ABS sensors seem to go quite often as well.
Struts - only once but how many do we need to break right.

I had 2" on the back and my axels have wear marks where they'd rub on full extension so there's a chance in the future my axels will break as well. It's just not worth it.

I love wheeling but will buy a vehicle purpose built in the future.

So now I have a sissy looking truck but it won't be costing me $200+ a month in parts and labour.

 

[lynchy wa]

I just pulled my spacers. It's been a year with so many wrecked parts It's hard to list. The latest was a broken strut. I replaced it and pulled my spacers. I'm leaving the body lift though.

So for things that you can be pretty sure will break if you take your vehicle off the pavement.
Ball joints - I did them several times.
Hubs - 4 times on the left and 3 on the right.
ABS sensors seem to go quite often as well.
Struts - only once but how many do we need to break right.

I had 2" on the back and my axels have wear marks where they'd rub on full extension so there's a chance in the future my axels will break as well. It's just not worth it.

I love wheeling but will buy a vehicle purpose built in the future.

So now I have a sissy looking truck but it won't be costing me $200+ a month in parts and labour.

I'm only asking this 'cause I'm in the process of going up. On a scale of 1-10, how hard were you wheeling your truck?

 

[zpaperboyz]

A solid 8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxq88UOVrY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0qKmNEL7OI

The most I'd even consider trying again is 1.5" front and back. But even then I think I'll leave it stock.

 

[lynchy wa]

Thank's for posting those vid's mate. Definitely gives a good perspective of the stuff you put your rig through.

 

[zpaperboyz]

Ya you can really hear my suspension making noise in a few of those sequences for sure. It's all fun. No abuse like jumping it or hitting stuff fast but definately no roads in places. Real off roading.

 

[dirtball619]

HERE IS THE CURE...

SOO MUCH BETTER

 

[armysoldier30263]

hey dirtball what did brandon do for bushings?

 

[dirtball619]

He just replaced them with some new ones. They just slide on. About $20 per side I think he said.

 

[-Strike-]

Nice! I will probably be buying these when and if they become available. I've had the lift on my truck since Nov. 10'. Haven't had too many major issues yet, the ball joint boots aren't even ripped. But, I've had some issues with the ABS/Traction control system,(probably due to the bearing issues) as well as both front bearings seem to have failed (Nothing new). Although I think they were due for a change before I even lifted the truck. I've also noticed a little bit of rub on the front knuckle, but nothing major. There's a small scuff on the rear axle but again, nothing substantial. Other than that, all is good

Look forward to keeping my eyes peeled to see price points and availability.

 

[underdog1964]

This is exactly why I don't lift my X. I figure there's a good reason there are no kits available for it.

Glad you're ok!

 

[armysoldier30263]

Good deal db ... and with this forum here there are "kits" slowly coming available ... with the ucas alot of guys here do some pretty amazing stuff with these explorers ... stuff I never though was able to be achieved

 

[dirtball619]

Nice! I will probably be buying these when and if they become available. I've had the lift on my truck since Nov. 10'. Haven't had too many major issues yet, the ball joint boots aren't even ripped. But, I've had some issues with the ABS/Traction control system,(probably due to the bearing issues) as well as both front bearings seem to have failed (Nothing new). Although I think they were due for a change before I even lifted the truck. I've also noticed a little bit of rub on the front knuckle, but nothing major. There's a small scuff on the rear axle but again, nothing substantial. Other than that, all is good

Look forward to keeping my eyes peeled to see price points and availability.

You can buy them now. I think that they are $550/pair.