question on lifting 96 4-door??? comments? please help

[PUR PONY]

I am sure this topic has been covered a million times but I am new here and REALLY want to know why no one makes a lift kit for a 96 explorer????? I have been wanting to lift mine since 97 when i bought it. whats so different between the 96 and the 98??? mine is also an AWD V-8 four door.
I got so mad that i couldnt lift it- I ended up lowering it. But Now I want it up.
I am planning on installing a 3" body lift from a 98 ranger?
again- why does no company make one for a 95+ explorer?
and also cranking up my torsion bars 2" and getting my rear leafs reared with an extra leaf. this should give me and est of 5" lift.
An i am planning on running 32's or maybe 33's.
am i headed in the right direction and do you think my plan will work-any comments and or ideas whould be GREAT!!! thank you very much
Marc

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Marc,
Welcome to the best Exporer site on the internet.
Well, I know how you feel as far as the no lift for the 95-97 models, but what some of us did was to use a 4" 98 Ranger lift and modify it to fit our 95-97 models. Really the only differance between the 95-97 and the 98-00 is the rear torsion bar bracket. You can modify the Ranger lift rear torsion bar bracket to fit your 95-97 model and it will work. Click on Ray's Truck in my signature for a picture of my 97 with a Trailmaster 98 Ranger lift and a 2" body lift. Superlift is supposed to be coming out with a lift for the Explorer, but for 98-00 models. I would take a look at that one. It will cost lot more than the Trailmaster kit, but I like superlifts way of doing it better. They replace the whole steering knuckle and Trailmaster uses a extender and a steering slide. I think if you are really going to do some serious wheelin', the replaced heavy duty steering knuckle would be the way to go.
Why do I say this? Because right now I am having problems with getting mine aligned after I did some rock crawling and now we are trying to find out why it won't align. I will report more on this as soon as I find out myself.
If you don't want to go with a 4" lift, you could put a set of Old Man Emu rear 2" lifted springs and since you already have 2" on the torsion bar twist, that would give you enough room to run 32's. You could try 33's, but I think you would have to put at least a 2" body lift to make them fit without much rubbing.
I know that you could put extended shackles or an add-a leaf, but the OME rear springs are superior in ride. I have used the extended shackles and the OME rear springs. I liked the springs better. Just my .02

 

[raloftus]

Ray -

Where the heck can I get the OME 2" lift rear springs?
Thanks

Roger Loftus

 

[NoBoundaries]

USA
North, Central & South
American Enquiry Centre
Air Locker Inc.
20 South Spokane Street
Seattle Washington 98134
USA

tel: (206) 264 1669
fax: (206) 264 1670
email: sales@arbusa.com
web site: http://www.arb.com.au

ARB is the maker of OME suspension, call or e-mail them and they will let you know your nearest dealer.

Welcome to the site Roger, I hope this helps you!

 

[raloftus]

Thanks Tim,

These links do really help.