Question About Lifts on a 97

[V8Exploder329]

Hi I know this subject has been visited multiple times but I am looking for more of a straight answer. I have a 97 explorer xlt awd and im looking to put a lift on it but I know since the torsion bars are welded on this particular model it's a pain in the balls to do, a couple of my friends have suggested doing a straight axle swap but from what i understand these can be very costly.

Just want to know what is the best option, can I buy a lift kit and make it work or should i ultimately just put out the money and do the axle swap? Regardless I want to put on at least a 3-4 inch lift on it and put on between 33's and 35's. Any suggestions or help would be awesome thanks for your time.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

You can use a 3" body lift to get the obvious 3" or a body lift and shackles/TT for about 4-5". I've not heard of the torsion bars being welded before unless a previous owner did it for whatever reason. Many people on the forum have run 33's with just the BL and TT/shackles. If you're doing it just for the lift then the straight axle swap is probably way too involved and costly for you. If you are going to be doing some serious off-roading than maybe you would consider it(SAS). Do a search on solid axle swap, there's quite few threads out there.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

1995 was the only year the rear torsion bar mounts were weleed to the frame. 1996 & up they are riveted to the frame.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

To quote Johnny Carson... "I did not know that". Thanks for the info Dan.

 

[V8Exploder329]

Thanks I had seen a few threads on here before and they said the torsion bars were welded but i guess i should stuck my head under the truck and looked and they are riveted on and yes i plan to do some serious off-offroading with it so I'm thinking and SAS is the way to go but for right now i'm only running through puddles that are sand bottom and aren't too deep so i'm thinking just the lift and new tires i'll be able to power through them i'll save the SAS for another year or two when i wanna take it to ochechobee.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

I hear you. I'm from south Jersey too and it's nothing but sand, mud and water around here.