Problems lowering a 4x4??

[EBXon20s]

Has anyone experienced any problems-premature suspension wear, bad ride, etc.-after lowering their 4wd? I'm considering doing the whole torsion bar/lowering block thing to mine (2") I have a 98 4x4 Eddie Bauer. Also, I have 20" rims on it (275/45/20)-Has anyone whose dropped a 4x4 w/20's had any probs with rubbing? Thanks

 

[X24]

I've got a 4x4 dropped 2" with 17's and I get rubbing at full turn but that doesnt really have anything to do with it being lowered. Its because the back spacing. I wouldnt drop it more than 2" to prevent binding of the cv joints.

 

[Hartman]

If you're not rubbing now, more than likely you won't be rubbing after the drop. You might have slight rubbing at worst.

 

[james t]

with 20's you will probably not rub. the diameter of the inside of the wheel is so great that it will not rub the lower control arm like it does on the Cobra R equipped rigs. actually, my R's didnt rub before i lowered, but after. lowering brings the lower control arm closer to the inside of the wheel (due to the changed angle), and that morning with R's and no drop i could turn lock to lock just fine. after drop, it would rub. but, like 98fordX24 said, its only at the full turn.

 

[X24]

I saw an explorer sport trac with 20's and he got rubbing on the sway bar. They are the same as explorers as far as I could tell. But the backspacing is whats gonna make it or break it.

 

[psychotic]

i lowered my Ex 4 inches in the front, its 4x4. I use 4x4 rarely.... so i dunno what would happen if i used it a lot, i mainly just use the auto 4x4 when it rains. I haven't had any problems and its been lowered about 4 months. I just need new shocks is all, the stock ones got wore out, but i knew that would happen.

 

[EBXon20s]

To all who replied-thanks for your help-I think I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot when I can round up a few buddies to give me a hand.

 

[WannaXP8]

get some pics after your done

 

[X24]

Yes, pics are a must.

 

[PUR PONY]

how do these people get 4" drops in the front by the torison twist.... the most i can get is about 1.5-2" max..... more then 2"s my tires look like this / \

I am designing a lowering kit now for my AWD 96 that should allow the front to be lowered 4-5" with perfect alignment of the wheels.... also will remove the torsion bars ....

 

[james t]

if you can fab some mounts, all you need is coilovers. i have looked into this, but the $500 price tag is a bit high right now.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by psychotic
i lowered my Ex 4 inches in the front, its 4x4. I use 4x4 rarely.... so i dunno what would happen if i used it a lot, i mainly just use the auto 4x4 when it rains. I haven't had any problems and its been lowered about 4 months. I just need new shocks is all, the stock ones got wore out, but i knew that would happen.

What did you do about alignment?

 

[X24]

Originally posted by PUR PONY
how do these people get 4" drops in the front by the torison twist.... the most i can get is about 1.5-2" max..... more then 2"s my tires look like this / \

I am designing a lowering kit now for my AWD 96 that should allow the front to be lowered 4-5" with perfect alignment of the wheels.... also will remove the torsion bars ....

People flip the torsion bar adjuster over and that gives them an additional 2-3" of drop.

Care to share any details about your lowering kit ideas???

 

[james t]

the way i see it, there are only 2 ways to do it (and delete the torsion bars). 1- coilovers, and 2-coilovers. that is, unless he is considering mounting coilsprings in there (i dont think there is room).

 

[PUR PONY]

even if you "flip" the torsion bars you still dont have enough adjustment in the front caster/camber to get the front tires striaght....... they are still going to be like this: / \ and you will wear the tires out faster along with bad handling..... to do it right you need to change the geometry of the front a-arms/suspension to make it correct.... this is what im working on..... custom a-arms with coil overs..... no torsion bars and will work on 4x4 and AWD!!!

 

[X24]

sounds good pur pony. I have to go start a fight with the place that did my alignment because they didnt do it right and now I have 2 bad tires after 3.5 months.

 

[Hartman]

Lol, while we're on the subject of alignment, I shall share my adventures after I lowered mine. I got rejected by 21 shops, you heard right, 21 shops. All the common excuses like "we don't work on anything that isn't factory spec" or "we can't fit the alignment machine on your wheels." Well, the 22nd shop agreed to do it. I had 1.7 and 1.4 degrees negative camber, then the shop tells me that they don't have the camber eccentric kit in stock and they have to order it. So now I have to go back in a few days........

As for lowering, I've had no problems at all. My ujoints started acting up a day before I lowered (go figure).

 

[X24]

Originally posted by Hartman
As for lowering, I've had no problems at all. My ujoints started acting up a day before I lowered (go figure).

How do you know they are acting up? Explain...

 

[Hartman]

They started sqeaking like all hell.

 

[X24]

squeeking just while driving or bumps or what? I dont know exactly where these things are or what they do so im curious to know. I get some squeeking going over bumps but i think thats my poly bushings.