Ready to put 33"s on my Explorer V8, few questions

[King$nake]

Hello,

So here is the plan, I would like to purchase some 15 or 17" rimmed 33" All-Terrains (or something comparable) and put them on my 1998 2WD Ford Explorer 5.0.

I have the Eddie Bauer model, so I am going to remove the plastic runners and fender flares. I was going to get some Ranger Edge spindles and do warrior shackles in the rear. Not planning on doing torsion twist.

So, with just the spindles and shackles installed, will I be good to go? Really trying to keep the cost down if possible. Maybe I will buy some shocks too but really not much more.

I figure with that, I will get a MAC CAI and MAC Catback, and it should sound pretty good as well with the V8. I believe I have the stock 3.33"s (correct me if Im wrong) so maybe 4.10's will be in the plans down the road.

Oh yea, another thing is that it is 150,000 miles but is running pretty good. It has a new transmission, radiator, fuel pump, etc all done by me (except for trans). It currently has a slow leaking coolant hose somewhere behind the RF tire, but I will address that.

What do you guys think of this project? Anything I MUST know before jumping into this? I have a buddy who wants to help install it, we should be able to pull it off. Here is a pic of the explorer for reference:

 

[Turdle]

A coolant leak on right side dripping to exhaust is most likely the heater bypass valve or heater core. Definitely fix this first, then worry about the tires.

 

[King$nake]

Granted I haven't crawled up under there yet to look at it, but its coming out right behind the right front tire.

I changed a heater core on my 95 SVT Cobra (5.0 as well) several years back and that was the biggest pain in the ass.

I never really thought it was a heater core only because in my cobra it was leaking inside the cabin by your feet, I havent noticed that in the explorer yet

 

[Paraphoe]

You're gonna need more lift than that to fit 33s. You MIGHT be able to cram them in there, but you're going to need to do some serious trimming. I had to trim sheet metal with warrior shackles, TT up front, AND a 3'' body lift. It'll be different for everyone, but I think you need to do a bodylift.

Also, I believe your gears are 3.73s, not 3.33s but I could be wrong. You should be fine with the v8, though if you have the cash, it can't hurt to re-gear to 4.10s to get the stock ratio back, or even 4.56s.

 

[King$nake]

You're gonna need more lift than that to fit 33s. You MIGHT be able to cram them in there, but you're going to need to do some serious trimming. I had to trim sheet metal with warrior shackles, TT up front, AND a 3'' body lift. It'll be different for everyone, but I think you need to do a bodylift.

Also, I believe your gears are 3.73s, not 3.33s but I could be wrong. You should be fine with the v8, though if you have the cash, it can't hurt to re-gear to 4.10s to get the stock ratio back, or even 4.56s.

Thanks for the heads up. Ya my buddies suggested to go with 32"s instead of 33"s.

So, if I go with 32"s, will I still need to do the shackles in the rear?

Also, I believe I need the EDGE spindles. Anyone know where I can get a pair online?

 

[corkey]

or you could do the body lift for about 250 $,

 

[King$nake]

or you could do the body lift for about 250 $,

Ya, I thought about that - but I really don't want to do a body lift.

Just for reference, this is the desired stance I'm going for, think this can be achieved with what I planning on doing? I am planning on glass fenders as well:

 

[shadowless127]

That X looks shackled, TT'd, and Body lifted...

In order to fit 32's you need to TT and Shackle, and potentially still do some trimming.

 

[MercuryMullet]

My buddy ran 33's on 8" wheels with 3.55 gears. He never had a problem until he was t-boned by a dodge ram. He ran a TT-add-a-leaf and 3in body lift. 4.10 more street 4.56 more offroad would be the desired gear ratio my opinion. Hope that helps.

 

[Paraphoe]

Fairly certain the X in that picture has a body lift. You can see a lot of frame.

 

[King$nake]

Thank you very much for the responses. I am going to buy the Spindles and find some 32" All Terrains on a 15x8 rim, need to find these first though

Ok, well - I really don't want to do a TT as I don't want to make the ride quality any rougher. Besides Spindles in the front (I found a pair of Fabtech 3" spindles for sale for $350 btw, pretty stoked) do I have any other options to lift the front end that is relatively cheap?

If I do go with glass fenders, will I be able to clear the 33"s in the front with just the spindles?

BTW - I have the stock 'teardrop' rims on my X right now (as you can see in the picture in the original post). They have brand new tires without about 5k on them. How much $$ you guys think I can get for selling these 4 rims and tires?

 

[Mounty 09]

I'm guessing you will be able to fit 33's with glass fenders. How are you going to get more lift out of the rear? The spindles will add 3" and you will be lucky to get 2 out of shackles. I did the TT and liked the ride alot better than stock. Yeah a little rougher but not much. I was able to fit 33s on stock rims with just a tt and shackles but I think I got lucky. There was no way it was going to go off road though, there was no room for the tires to go up into the finders. If you really want 33s I would add a body lift to the list. It wasn't horrible to put on and was relatively cheap.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

You really should think about putting Torque Monsters on it as well. Believe me they will help greatly. I would do them before re-gearing.

 

[shadowless127]

Thank you very much for the responses. I am going to buy the Spindles and find some 32" All Terrains on a 15x8 rim, need to find these first though

Ok, well - I really don't want to do a TT as I don't want to make the ride quality any rougher. Besides Spindles in the front (I found a pair of Fabtech 3" spindles for sale for $350 btw, pretty stoked) do I have any other options to lift the front end that is relatively cheap?

If I do go with glass fenders, will I be able to clear the 33"s in the front with just the spindles?

BTW - I have the stock 'teardrop' rims on my X right now (as you can see in the picture in the original post). They have brand new tires without about 5k on them. How much $$ you guys think I can get for selling these 4 rims and tires?

You do realize that any form of "lift" will affect ride quality, right?

I don't see why you'd waste $350 on spindles, when TT is free and all you need is a tape measure, a jack, jack stands, and some sockets/wrenches...

Boom, 2" of front lift for FREE. You dont even have to remove your tire!!!!

350$ is halfway to those Torque Monsters Dan smartly suggested. Hell, $350 is a good amount of money towards 4-32's.

 

[Paraphoe]

You should be able to clear 33s up front with the fiberglass fenders, yes.

 

[King$nake]

You do realize that any form of "lift" will affect ride quality, right?

I don't see why you'd waste $350 on spindles, when TT is free and all you need is a tape measure, a jack, jack stands, and some sockets/wrenches...

Boom, 2" of front lift for FREE. You dont even have to remove your tire!!!!

350$ is halfway to those Torque Monsters Dan smartly suggested. Hell, $350 is a good amount of money towards 4-32's.

I am definitely open to doing the TT, but most people I have asked about it around here have said not to do it, or that I would only get an 1" or so out of it because of the higher mileage (this is just heresay, I have no experience with it). But I have also heard that I may actually like the way it rides with the TT done to it.

I have also been told that doing the torsion twist would limit my down travel? Regardless, I've already committed to getting the spindles. Maybe I can install the spindles AND do the TT? Is there any reason why I shouldn't? I would think that this would be a better option than putting blocks between the frame and body by a long shot. With the glass, TT and spindles, Im sure 33"s would clear with no problems at all, correct? Maybe this would be my best option, what do you guys think?

You really should think about putting Torque Monsters on it as well. Believe me they will help greatly. I would do them before re-gearing.

Torque Monsters is definitely in the to do list, have been planning them for some time. I would like to get the truck lifted first, and then I want to do the MAC CAI, Mac Catback and Torque Monster Headers all at once.

I'm guessing you will be able to fit 33's with glass fenders. How are you going to get more lift out of the rear? The spindles will add 3" and you will be lucky to get 2 out of shackles. I did the TT and liked the ride alot better than stock. Yeah a little rougher but not much. I was able to fit 33s on stock rims with just a tt and shackles but I think I got lucky. There was no way it was going to go off road though, there was no room for the tires to go up into the finders. If you really want 33s I would add a body lift to the list. It wasn't horrible to put on and was relatively cheap.

Well, if I go with the 33"s, then I guess I will have to go with the warrior shackles in the back, correct?


So here is the plan how I see it

- 3" EDGE Spindles
- Torsion Twist
- 33x12.50x15 BFG All Terrains (should I go with a 17" rim?)
- Warrior Shackles in the rear
- Bilstein 5100 Shocks
- (2) Fiberglass Fenders

Then down the road:
- TM Headers
- MAC CAI
- MAC Catback (or a true dual setup)
- Possibly 4:10's
- Custom front bumper w/ plate
- Projector headlights and new night lights
- New plugs & wires

 

[King$nake]

On a side note, I keep wondering why I want to put roughly $2k into a 150,000 mile explorer. Well, the way I justify it is basically this:

- Its currently running good
- Explorers are easy to fix
- Ton of resources to get replacement parts

I mean theoretically, I could rebuild the whole truck for relatively cheap. I know the 5.0 motor is going to be good, the transmission has been rebuilt. I can't think of anything that could go wrong on it that I couldn't just take care of, fix or replace. I could keep this truck going for a looong time. I have developed alot of interior rattles, but I was thinking of replacing all my door fasteners (the small plastic clips), replacing carpet, reupholstering seats, redoing audio system, maybe laying some dynamat, etc. No reason why I cant have a like new truck with a little time and TLC. Want to get this thing lifted first though haha

Thanks again for the help guys