Someone please HELP me!

[Kial]

I have a few VERY important question in which I hope all you experienced explorer
owners can help me with. Please HELP ME!
1.) I want to fit 35x12.5/R15's [bfg mud's]on my 91' explorer
4x4(xlt) and I ordered a 5.5 superlift suspension yesterday. I am going to order a 3 inch body lift also, but then how much front or rear fenders, if any, would I need to cut?(I am considering welding metal coil spacers in for 3/4 Xtra lift in front)

2.) When I lift my explorer 8.5 inches is this all entirely safe?(meaning I dont do extreme offroading/driving only moderate stuff, But I really want to lift my truck this high). I mean I ordered the extended
brake lines with the kit, do I need to get the superlift supperrunner sterring linkage?

3.) I have modified my car a little: kkn air filtration, 2 free-flo cats, magna flow muffler which
is soon to be changed to a SUV series flowmaster cause my car sounds like a airplane(the
back window rattles around 3000rpm its kinda funny) and two dual rear exit pipes with 2
3/4 tips or 3 inch, I cant remeber. I probably wont change the gears for a while after the lift so are there any preformance suggestions for my car?

4.) AND for my final question.......Do I need to look for another brand which is comprable to the BFG mud's but are wider like a 13.5 so that I get better stability on turns(Its mostly a DAILY driver with some highway)-(or what products should I get 4
stability)- for my 8.5 in. lift? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TIME, YOU ROCK!

=)-Kial-
(zeke180@yahoo.com)

p.s. Do I need new springs or anything else that isnt lincudled in the standard 5.5 superlift suspension or the 3 inch body lift (superlift also) to make my car run smoothly? =)

 

[RangerX]

Kial, you should've been at the Truckhaven run, Jay has the exact lift you're talking about. He runs 31" Swamper Boggers, so no need for him to fender trim. I suggest staying with the 35" BFGs and get your stability from 15x8 rims with 3 3/4" backspacing. Fenderhacking is no big deal, with that much lift it should only need it at the bottom corners of the wheelwells. You won't really know until you have the tires on. I run 37" on the street, and had to cut away about 2" at the lower rear corner of the front openings. Also, the superrunner steering is a good idea.
PS Thanks for dropping the tag line about women paying you.

 

[Kial]

Thanks for the reply=), this is the direction im heading, but I have many different options. RangerX, do you really think 12.5's are wide enough for the amount of Lift im going to put on? I also need help on any products besides what I already have to enhance the preformance. I see you live in Carlsbad, I live about 40 minutes north of you and I come down to carlsbad all the time to surf. Maybe after I figure out which way Im going with the truck, ill come down. If you have any other suggestions on what I want to do, or can do please let me know. THANKS for your help !

-kial-
zeke180@yahoo.com

 

[Kial]

CAN I GET SOME HELP UP IN THIS HOUSE?

 

[rpenner54]

Well to be honest with you, I think they will be enough. The only way to truely know though is to get out there and do it and see how you like it. Half of the battle is just trying to get it the way you like it. I know that David Meisner is running a 7" with a 3 inch body lift and his truck drives nice on the highway with 33x12.5" tires. My truck with the 5.5" lift drives fine also with 33x12.5" tires. If it turns out that the tires don't do it for you, you can upgrade your sway bars to heavy duty ones and get some quick disconects for off-highway use. I really don't think you will have any real problems with this though.



------------------
Ryan Penner
1992 Explorer Sport

 

[JAY]

Kail,
Actually RangerX is slightly mistaken. I run 33x14.00 Boggers not 31". Other than that he is right.
I do use my truck for extreme off roading, if you would like to call it that. 35x12.50 M/T will fit without trimming, that is what I used to run for street driving. Your truck will remain very stable for highway driving as long as you keep the front sway bar connected. I love my set-up and I'm sure you will also.

JAY

[This message has been edited by JAY (edited 01-19-2000).]

 

[Kial]

I think Im going to try the 35 BFG's and see how I like them and how they feel for everyday driving. Hopefully they will work out. IF any others that have had experience with this type of lift or anything besides for the tires issue (cause I have that covered) please feel free to help me. This is the only way I can research what will work and what wont. Also, do different sway bars help in overall stability, and if so which ones should I look at for my application. THANKS AGAIN!=)

 

[RangerX]

Kial, if you haven't already, I've read that poly bushings on the sway bar make a good bit of difference. Beyond that, there are larger diameter sway bars available which give more control. Also, having rear exit exhaust pipes are not the best for offroad. You'll crush them on descents. It happened last weekend to the Trailmaster Explorer.

Jay, when you ran 35s, did you wheel with them? If so, did they rub, and what rim and backspace did you use? What size rim and how much backspace do you now have?

 

[Kial]

OK so IM going to get a big sway bar with poly bushings. I dont really go off roading alot, and when I do its mostly desert stuff, not to many big descents, but when one comes around Ill be very careful not to hurt my baby. RANGERX the 3 3/4 backspacing, that will help the stability of the car when I mount the 35" tire? I was also looking up The standard super swampers and they have a 35x14.5/R15 but I think that may be a little overkill for mostly round town driving, no? Thanks for all this knowledable info, try to stay with me as more questions arise that Ill need help with. RangerX and Jay and Rpeenner you rip =)

-kial-
p.s. as soon as I get all this stuff done (ETA 2 months) I'll be sure to post some pics for my bros.

------------------
Women pay me to give them pleasure =)

 

[Kial]

Do springs come in the superlift 5.5? If not do i need to get bigger springs for my lift, and which ones would be the nicest ride on City drving(also do I need to get front and back or just either or?). What kind of shocks should I go with, Im thinking about Bilstiens, but have herd some negative feedback on them so im unsure now. I want to do a double shock in the front, and maybe even in the back make a custom mount for the shocks so I could run 2 at each tire in the rear. What shock should I run for the most comfy ride?

-kial-


------------------
Women pay me to give them pleasure =)

 

[JAY]

I never really did anywheeling with my 35x12.50 they would rub under compression, and I have never clearanced my fenders.
I don't think that 35x14.50 will fit w/o some fender trimming, but if you wand most shops will mount one for you, and if it don't fit, they will help you find something that will.
I was running a 15x8 with 3 3/4 back spacing on my 35x12.50 M/T and they were good for street driving. I currently run 15x10 with 3 3/4 backspacing on my Boggers and I really like them, the boggers do rub a little under certain situations (like full compression while fully turned) but a little trimming would fix that easy.
I would suggest that you go full poly in the front while it is apart, it will stiffen it up alot, but with the big lift and tires you won't notice much of a loss in articulation. The small back spacing will help with the stability, but be sure to watch youe wheel bearings because they will wear fast.

JAY

 

[Kial]

Jay,
First off thanks for your repley, im going to go with the 3 3/4 bakspacing. Second off about the poly bushings, just do my whole front end with them and this will help my stability? Does any bushings (poly) come in the superlift or should I just go straight to energy suspension and buy a round of what they have to offer? How much in the ride department does this sacrifce by the was, cause my car rides like sh** right now and I want to improve it.

aLSO hOW FAST DID YOUR WHEEL BEARINGS run out on you? Just a estimate so I know when to check them. Do you think with the 8.5 lift and the 35's I am going to have to do any fender trimming? Only minor stuff so It will be safe right. Thanks again Jay,

-kial-
zeke180@yahoo.com

 

[JAY]

KAIL,
I suggest you buy a whole poly kit for your explorer befor you sart and replace everything while it is apart. My Explorer rides smother with the lift and tires than it did stock, but that is not always the case. Sometimes a lift will make you vehicle ride very rough. I the poly kit will tighten your front end up and make it more manageable an the highway, but with the bigger tires you shouldn't really notice it off road. As for the wheel bearings, I haven't had to replace mine yet, but you do need to check and grease them regularily. I can't tell you if will need ti trim your fenders of not, all explorers are different, I didn't need to trim mine, but I didn't take my 35" off road either.

JAY

 

[Kial]

Jay,
Thanks once again for the reply. Are all poly kits the same, I looked at energy suspension and they looked good, what do you preferr for the poly kit.

*also: did you put the supperrunner sterring in your car? I dont know if I should save up for that or something else

thanks jay

-kial-
zeke180@yahoo.com