Shackles or Axles

[CowboyPinky]

I am still trying with this '91 Ex XLT 4.0, 5sp, 230,000mi. I want to spend as little money as possible cause I just got married, its my wife's parents vehicle. I bought her a car, and they're letting me drive this free. They even pay the insurance (Heck of a good deal). It needs some things done (new tires, new shocks, steering parts) and I thought while I am at it, I would put some 31-10.5-15's and a couple inches of lift on it. My brother in law posed the idea of switching the rear axle to the underside of the leaf springs. He said that it would require a little bit of fabrication (which to me equals "don't hold supper or even wait up for me honey"). My other option is to build some shackles, but in all my looking around I don't have an acurate answer on wheather they need to go in the front and the back or just the back. My whole plan is to go two inches on the suspension and two inches on the body. I have a light machine shop at my disposal, I know a guy at a tire distributer, I have a JC Whitney catalog, and an explorer that belongs to someone else. What more could I ask for. By the way, my wife will only let me spend $600 on it. Looking for ideas.

 

[Maniak]

I think the only way you are going to get a lift in there for under $600 is to do War-153 shackles in the rear and either f-150 spacer up front or new 1.5" lift front springs.

Anything more and you will need drop brackets. As far as I know the least expensive lift 2.5" or more is the Rancho or Duff lift (I like the Duff lift). It will get you 2.5" of lift (depending on how worn out your current suspension is)..

Lift kits are never complete. You will also need longer brake lines and possibly an e-brake extension.

If you add WAr-153 shackles you get about 1.5" of lift (some get slightly less).. The f-150 spacers give 1 5/8" of lift (give or take a little).. New springs (1.5" lift springs) give 1.5" of lift OVER STOCK height.. If your front springs have sagged you might get more...

You can also add some add-a-leaves to the rear with teh war-153 shackles if you want the back of the truck to be higher than the front (some like the look)...

~Mark