Pros and cons of a lifted explorer

[willys5555]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer V8 5.0L 4DR 2WD. I want to lift it and put 35" tires on it. I have all the lift picked out and everything. I was just wondering how much the pros out weigh the cons. So please let me know your opinions on the pros and cons of a lifted Explorer. I love the way they look but I am not sure if the probability of roll over is increased a lot. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[carlover]

I have roughly 6 inches in the front and 3.5 in the rear of mine with 33's. You have to drive it a little different but there is nothing unsafe about a lifted explorer.

 

[dirtyXplorer]

They Look awesome and Explorers are beasts off road. The biggest "con" to lifting and adding big tires to any car is the drop in gas mileage. (Less aerodynamic, more weight, etc.)

 

[willys5555]

well I am glad yall said that. that is the answer i was hoping to get. But does anyone have like a website with an article about lifted explorers or even lifted trucks that explains the goods and the bads? Thanks

 

[JMan689]

Good - Look better, better performance offroad, see over lower vehicles on the road, run, run over taller objects etc.

Bad - Worse gas mileage, higher probability of a rollover, you're truck is only 2wd

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Ok i have a question if you did a SAS with a lift to a wider axle would the lift have less effect on the rollover part

 

[JIGAWHAAT]

The bad: not lifted its an suv
The good: Lifted, Redneck hillbilly chicks dig it!!!!
I like the good

 

[Burns]

Ok i have a question if you did a SAS with a lift to a wider axle would the lift have less effect on the rollover part

I will say that mine is very stable on the road. My sas is better than it was stock

 

[Burns]

 

[JIGAWHAAT]

I will say that mine is very stable on the road. My sas is better than it was stock

Holy **** burns.
When did your truck turn green?

 

[Burns]

Holy **** burns.
When did your truck turn green?

While you were chilling out in the sun haha just kidding


I painted it this summer. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191144

 

[willys5555]

Good - Look better, better performance offroad, see over lower vehicles on the road, run, run over taller objects etc.

Bad - Worse gas mileage, higher probability of a rollover, you're truck is only 2wd

Ok well the way you said it sounds like 2wd are more likely to roll over than 4wd. Is this what you meant? or are you just saying that mine is 2wd and shouldnt be lifted? Just wondering because I have seen many 2wd Explorers lifted and they do better than some 4wd lifted trucks. Plus wont the wider tires and tighter suspension help with the body roll? Some say it is less likely to roll over lifted than when it was stock. Is that true? Thanks

 

[Donner]

Would anyone like to discuss driving habits? The biggest danger is the driver. Understand that it's not a car. Respect the rules and other drivers. Knowing that on road, zipping in and out of lanes could result in problems. The lifted vehicle is safe on road, the driver has to use common sense.

I don't know off road, so that's my limit...

 

[beenwrong2002]

Just wondering because I have seen many 2wd Explorers lifted and they do better than some 4wd lifted trucks.

ummm may i ask what your talking about

 

[carlover]

In most conditions a locked 2wd will do very very well. I only have a LS in my explorer and have gone places a few of my buddies with stock 4x4 vehicles could not.

 

[beenwrong2002]

In most conditions a locked 2wd will do very very well. I only have a LS in my explorer and have gone places a few of my buddies with stock 4x4 vehicles could not.

i can see a 2wd with some boggers maybe be able to reach some places a stock 4x4 couldnt...but other than the fact the 2wd might be lighter in weight, it doesnt have to many advantages...

 

[Hokie]

Driving a lifted vehicle is fine and dandy until something goes wrong and you can't retain control of the vehicle. Believe me, when it goes wrong it'll go wrong faster and worse if the vehicle is lifted.

 

[willys5555]

ummm may i ask what your talking about

well being that most full size trucks are much heavier than an explorer, the explorer does very well. also i may have left out that a winch can come in handy on a 2wd explorer. but none the less 2wd explorers (if you drive right) can do very well on the trails.

 

[willys5555]

Driving a lifted vehicle is fine and dandy until something goes wrong and you can't retain control of the vehicle. Believe me, when it goes wrong it'll go wrong faster and worse if the vehicle is lifted.

so would you suggest not to lift a vehicle? to me the goods out weigh the bads.

 

[JMan689]

I was just saying that if you're lifting it for offroad use, may as well lift a 4wd vehicle.