Suggestions?

[Chainblade]

I have a '92 XLT 4x4. I have 31s on it now. The rest is stock. it has fender flares like the limited/eddie bauer. It makes the truck look low, even though it as high as my old 94. I don't off-road or anything, I just have an Explorer as I'm a big guy and it's an inexpensive large vehicle. I have always loved the looks of them. Anyways, it needs a lift to look better. I have searched on this site for pictures of people that have a 1st gen explorers with the fender flares and a lift but I can't seem to find any. I don't know how big of a lift I should do. From what I have read, a body lift will be fine since I am only doing it for looks. I figure I'll do the shackles/spacer first to get the 1-2"inch lift first and see how that goes but I doubt that will be enough. If I do a body lift as well, will I have to re-gear or anything like that?

 

[92exp4x4]

You only have to regear if you change tire size. The larger tire size changes the overall ratio at the wheel and makes the truck slower to accelerate. Your truck is most likely an automatic and has 3.73 gears from the factory, and those are fine for your 31s.

If you want a lift for looks, then go with the body lift. These are cheap and fairly easy to install. They are usually available in 1", 2" and 3" sizes. A good kit can be had for about $100 and they have optional bumber relocation kits to raise the bumpers so there is no gap between them and the body. You will not have to change anything in the suspention or steering for this, and it will leave it stock and reliable for daily transport.

Dont mess with the suspention unless its needs leveled or somthing until you want to moify it for off road use.

Let me know what you decide.

 

[Chainblade]

You only have to regear if you change tire size. The larger tire size changes the overall ratio at the wheel and makes the truck slower to accelerate. Your truck is most likely an automatic and has 3.73 gears from the factory, and those are fine for your 31s.

If you want a lift for looks, then go with the body lift. These are cheap and fairly easy to install. They are usually available in 1", 2" and 3" sizes. A good kit can be had for about $100 and they have optional bumber relocation kits to raise the bumpers so there is no gap between them and the body. You will not have to change anything in the suspention or steering for this, and it will leave it stock and reliable for daily transport.

Dont mess with the suspention unless its needs leveled or somthing until you want to moify it for off road use.

Let me know what you decide.

thanks a lot. that helps a lot. I will be keeping 31" tires so no re-gearing is needed, that's good. JCWhittney has a 3" body lift for $103 so I'll probably get that. So I think I'll do the 3" body lift and the lift from the shackles/spacers. which one should I do first? which one is cheaper to do? (I wouldn't be doing the work myself as I know nothing about this stuff).

 

[Maniak]

Shackles and f-150 springs seats is < $100 in parts and easy to install.. BUT you will need an alignment when your done

Body lift is a little more in parts, but more labor to install and sometimes you need to modify the bumper brackets.. Oh yea.. once installed you may not be able to get your spare tire lowered w/out drilling a new hole in the bumper.

~Mark

 

[little x]

If you do both the body lift AND the suspension lift, and you keep your 31's your truck will look very funny. You need to choose one or the other. Most people with that combo will run 33x12.5's and have to regear.

 

[jumpn4jesus]

If you do both the body lift AND the suspension lift, and you keep your 31's your truck will look very funny. You need to choose one or the other. Most people with that combo will run 33x12.5's and have to regear.

My .2 is get the F150 coil seats/shackle and then get either the 2" or 3" body lift
with 32's!

I plan on doing that with 3" BL.

 

[Chainblade]

If you do both the body lift AND the suspension lift, and you keep your 31's your truck will look very funny. You need to choose one or the other. Most people with that combo will run 33x12.5's and have to regear.

i don't think it will look funny, especially with the fender flares that are on mine.

kslhol from this site has the shackles/spacers with a 3" body lift and 31s and it looks good to me. see: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/826348

 

[Anime]

Removing the plastic side steps/trim on the rocker panels makes a big difference in height appearance if that's an option.

Otherwise I'd agree with the coil spacers and lift shackles (or the 2" lift coils and shackles) being the preferred small lift. You might even be able to score a deal with other members who are installing a new lift kit and selling their spacers and shackles.