Questions about lifting a 2wd

[SouthernSAR]

So I've done my research and I think I've figured out what I need and what I need to do to lift my st, but I was wondering if I have to do anything besides actually installing all the parts. This is going to be my first time doing work like this to a vehicle, and I heard things like I have to change gear ratios and talk to my insurance company and all sorts of things like that, could someone tell me what's true about that and any random facts that I might not be able to find on here?

Thanks everyone,
-Jared

 

[MidnightRebel07]

As for changing gears, depends on tire size after lift and gears you have now. You have to check what gear code you have on the drivers door to see what you have now to see if it'll be ok with the larger tires. As for insurance, depends on your policy, company and state. It's good to let them know and check out the vehicle after the mods are made so they will cover them if something happens, some companies will try to say they'll only cover factory parts, again it depends on the fore mentioned things. Once you lift the frontend you'll wanna get an alignment done. What other questions did you have?

 

[SouthernSAR]

Alright, thanks. I'll have to check that out. Will I still have to re-gear if I'm just going to do a small lift and leave the stock tires? also- will this kit work on a 2wd even though it's advertised as 4x4? also, the trac in the picture looks familiar lol

 

[LONO100]

that kit on ebay is overpriced and looks a little cheap. 2WD tracs are pretty damn easy to lift, and you shouldnt have to spend more than a bit over 100 bucks to do it depending on how much lift you want. for the amount of lift that kit on ebay will give you, you can get the same height with better quality parts for half the price. check out the link i left below. i have a 2WD trac and i did a how-to on lifting it to fit 33" tires. all you will need are a set of good off road shackles for the rear, and then twist the torsion bolts up front. after that, it is all about getting an alignment. shouldnt cost more than 120 bucks to do and a saturday morning. if you want a few inches of lift, but are going to run the stock wheels/tires, you wont need to re-gear or re-calibrate anything. if you up the size of your tires, then you might have to re-gear depending on what gearing you have in your rig as it sits right now. i have a feeling that if you do end up lifting your truck, you will soon be planning on larger tires! let me know if you have any more questions, id be glad to help.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329062

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Yep, that's a chincy kit. Get a set of Warrior Products lift shackles for the rear and do a TT on the front. That picture is Brians old ST but it is his picture, I hope they asked permission to use it or that's a lawsuit, it's happened before with another members Trac. If you get lift keys like in the kit you're gonna spend a pretty penny just getting them installed, not worth it IMO.

 

[Pickupman_69]

Midnight, on my 4x4 trac would a bodylift be better or would using something like those keys and shock spacers be a better option. Im concerned the keys would still change the angle of the cv shaft,would I be correct in thinking this?

I need more height

 

[MidnightRebel07]

It depends on what you wanna raise up higher. To clear for bigger tier a body lift is gonna be the way to go, in turn you gain clearence of the frame off the ground with the taller tires. Any suspension lift (TT, lift keys, etc...) will change the angle of the CV axle, causing stress. A body lift will give you clearence, make it easier to work on most things on the Trac and not cause stress to the CV's or frontend parts.

 

[SouthernSAR]

i really appreciate the help guys I'm getting a little but of cash soon so this lift isnt too far in the future. But I was thinking today, is it possible to move the rear axle from the top of the leaf spring to the bottom?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Yep, it's called a SOA (spring over axle) conversion. Do a quick search on the homepage and you'll find dozens of build threads on it. The only problem is your frontend will still be lower by quite a bit even if you go as far as a 3" TT. Also see if you can find lift spindles since you have a 2wd and you'll even out the frontend with the rear with the SOA.

 

[SouthernSAR]

Ohhhhhhhhh THAT'S what SOA means... I feel dumb now. Now if I were to do an SOA and a TT without shackles do you think that would be about level?

 

[LONO100]

nope, you will be too high in the rear. an SOA will push your rear up around 6", if you add shackles to that, thats pretty damn high. even twisting your torsion bolts to 3", it would still be higher in the rear. if you do an SOA on a 2WD, you will need to look into a spindle lift. they dont make aftermarket spindles for sport tracs, you will need to use ranger spindles, but then you will need to find ranger brake rotors too. if you are not planning on getting bigger tires like you said, there is no need to do all this. it will start to add up moneywise. just save 120 bucks, get your warrior #153 shackles, twist your torsion bars, get an alignment and call it a day if you plan on keeping your stock wheels/tires on.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Nope, a SOA wil give you roughly 5 or 6"'s so you'll be lower in the front by 3" if you max out the TT. Most people do a SAS but since you have a 2wd it's mute for you. That's why I suggested the lift spindles for the frontend lift.

 

[SouthernSAR]

Again, thanks guys. I appreciate your help. I'll be ordering my shackles as soon as my check clears in the meantime i guess i'm gonna start saving money for bigger tires!

 

[LONO100]

sweet just make sure you post pictures! and make sure you get that alignment after you lift.

 

[SouthernSAR]

Will do! :rangerred: