Suspension lift & tires questions

[Chainblade]

Hi guys. I'm new and do not know anything about automobiles besides that I drive them lol. Anywho, I got a 1994 Explorer XLT 4WD and had a couple of questions.

First off, take a look at the pics at my cardomain website: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2711616

that is my truck. it has 31x10.5x15, which I understand isn't stock. Does it look like my truck is lifted at all there? It just seems bigger than other explorers I've seen but it could just be the tires. If there is a lift, what size?

I'm asking because recently I drove over a big bump on the freeway going 45 or so (there was no sign warning me of the bump). Anywho, after that, my rear end of my truck has gotten lower and lower. From my research, it seems that my rear leaf springs need replacing. I was thinking that I might as well get a lift at the same time as I want one.

I won't be able to replace the tires anytime soon so I want the ones I have to look good. I'm not sure if I have a lift now but it looks pretty good to me. I guess most kits are 2" or 4" lifts. Would a 4" lift look ok with my tires or would it look dumb? Would a 2" lift actually lift my truck more than what it looks like in those pics?

also, is there anything else that has to be done to my truck besides the lift?

Thanks guys. I've been reading a lot around the forums and have been learning. I'm still quite dumb though lol.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

the but sag is a problem all explorers with the 8.8" rear end have. Look into F-150 leaves, shackles, or AAL(search for those terms), they would probably be alot cheaper then to buy a new set of leaves.
As far as being lifted, i don't think so it looks stock, also 31's fit stock.

Lifting the truck..if your going to get different tires down the road, lift it how high you want now and then get the tires later. The 4", 2" and 5.5" are the popular ones for your trucks year.

 

[Chainblade]

the but sag is a problem all explorers with the 8.8" rear end have. Look into F-150 leaves, shackles, or AAL(search for those terms), they would probably be alot cheaper then to buy a new set of leaves.
As far as being lifted, i don't think so it looks stock, also 31's fit stock.

Lifting the truck..if your going to get different tires down the road, lift it how high you want now and then get the tires later. The 4", 2" and 5.5" are the popular ones for your trucks year.

thanks a ton for the response. I will search for those keywords to learn more. If I do end up just getting a full kit, do you have any recommendations for the cheapest place to get it online?

 

[kslhol]

I don't think you have a lift. I also have 31 x 10.5 x 15's. And here is a pic with just a 3 inch body lift.

And then an extra 2 inches from the cheap and easy shackle and f150 spacer lift you can find out all about on this site. Makes a pretty big difference.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

hmm if you are going cheap...how much lift do you want in total? Because a 3" bl and a 2" suspension lift is like 180 bucks.

2 or 3" Bl http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...005819/N-111+1994+200729949+600003409/c-10101

2" lift (expensive route)
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PDT53840.aspx

4" and 5.5"
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PPT3909T5491.aspx

the cheaper 2" would be F-150 coil seats and warrior shackles (part # war-153)

 

[Chainblade]

I'm not quite sure how much of a lift I want really. I guess I'd want to see some pics of a 2" vs a 4" lift with the same size tires of mine.

I don't do any off roading. This is more for me (as I am 6'6") and for looks. The only "off roading" it will ever see is ice/snow in Seattle and occasionally going up to my parents that have a gravel road. I still want it to be a comfortable ride though. I hear that a body lift isn't as good as a suspension lift. Is that true? If so, why?

 

[Chainblade]

hmm if you are going cheap...how much lift do you want in total? Because a 3" bl and a 2" suspension lift is like 180 bucks.

2 or 3" Bl http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...005819/N-111+1994+200729949+600003409/c-10101

2" lift (expensive route)
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PDT53840.aspx

4" and 5.5"
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PPT3909T5491.aspx

the cheaper 2" would be F-150 coil seats and warrior shackles (part # war-153)

heh you are losing me here lol. but whatever route to make it cheaper and for it to stay lifted. do suspension lifts get lower after time? if so, they are an expensive way to go if they end up dropping anyways...

like i said in my previous post. i don't want it to be a rough ride and have awful gas mileage. I still want it to drive nicely. I don't off-road, I am just pretty tall.

 

[Jason94sport]

See pics in sig. I have 2" & those tires. Unless you do any real off roading on trails & whatnot, I don't see any bigger then 2' useful. Remember if you get bigger tires, you then need to spend more $ cause it takes a lot to get those bigger tires moving, & then stopped.

so 31's & 2" is perfect I think for some performance, looks & driveabilty.
BTW, if your only issue is the rear end sag. Get a pair of shackles to even in back out & be done with it.

 

[Chainblade]

See pics in sig. I have 2" & those tires. Unless you do any real off roading on trails & whatnot, I don't see any bigger then 2' useful. Remember if you get bigger tires, you then need to spend more $ cause it takes a lot to get those bigger tires moving, & then stopped.

so 31's & 2" is perfect I think for some performance, looks & driveabilty.

thanks. looks pretty damn good. I could go for that. How much did it cost you to do your lift?

by the way, where did you get your front grill guard? I have been wanting to get one just like that but can't find one.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

a suspension lift will settle a bit over time, but it sounds like you would want a 2" lift. kslhol has a pic of that above. A body lift will look..kinda goofy because it lifts the body off the frame so the frame may hang down a bit. those running boards you have would help a little with the looks tho.

 

[Chainblade]

ya I definitely think a 2" lift is the way to go.

so for that do I replace my front coil springs with 2" springs or does the 2" spring go WITH the current spring that's already on there?

and for the rear, I guess it's the same question. does the 2" leaf spring replace the leaf springs that is there or does it add on to it?

as far as shackles go, are there a good pair you recommend?

 

[kslhol]

Not what I have for shackles (mine are just universal lift shackles $25) but most people on this site use warrior shackles (part # war-153).

As for the front, the cheapest way to go is the F-150 coil seats . You can get them from a jumk yard for prolly $20 for the pair. Don't forget the $60 allignment you need to do after. Hers a link for the how -to on the front spacers.... http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/factoryspacer.htm

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

the universals will be fine..even if you off-road a little they would be ok.

 

[BLOODBANE]

The 2" coil spring replaces your factory spring in the front. The 150 spacer just fits below your factory coil springs(you reuse your coil springs). Same for the leaves. The shackle is what holds the rear of your leaf springs now. The spacer and shackle are the cheapest to go, but you are using, by what you said, worn out parts. Here is my 94 XLT with 4" suspension and 3" body lift, up on 35" BF Goodrich Mud Terrains...........

You can see on mine, where the bumper mounts, the frame(the open box tubing below the bumper) This is what some talk about the frame hanging down. If your not gonna wheel it hard, I agree that 2" of lift would suit you fine, otherwise your gonna have to spend some $$$. Do what you want to it the first time though, these lifts aren't exactly cheap(and can be a real pain to install). Keep us updated on your s.....

 

[Chainblade]

The 2" coil spring replaces your factory spring in the front. The 150 spacer just fits below your factory coil springs(you reuse your coil springs). Same for the leaves. The shackle is what holds the rear of your leaf springs now. The spacer and shackle are the cheapest to go, but you are using, by what you said, worn out parts. Here is my 94 XLT with 4" suspension and 3" body lift, up on 35" BF Goodrich Mud Terrains...........

You can see on mine, where the bumper mounts, the frame(the open box tubing below the bumper) This is what some talk about the frame hanging down. If your not gonna wheel it hard, I agree that 2" of lift would suit you fine, otherwise your gonna have to spend some $$$. Do what you want to it the first time though, these lifts aren't exactly cheap(and can be a real pain to install). Keep us updated on your s.....

oh ok, now it makes a little more sense. the F150 spacer is for the front to go under the coil. So I could do that WITH the coil I already have for a bit of a lift. OR I could just replace the coil I already have with a 2" coil. is that right?

as far as the rear goes, I'm still a tad confused (sorry ). With the leafs being damaged, they need to be replaced regardless. So to get a 2" lift, do I buy OEM leafs and then get the shackle? or can I just get 2" leafs that will give the lift?

 

[xjames]

I would go for the 2" lift springs for the rear. Your leaves are wore out and to add any lift to them would just increase the stress already on them. There is a good chance that the next pothole or bump could end their struggle. With new springs, chances are they will outlast any other part on your X.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

if your going to replace the pack...look at the pricing for a 2" pack and the pricing for an oem....if they are more then say 70 bucks more the AAL or Shackels would be cheaper.

 

[wazzup31]

help need ideas

k heres the deal i bought a 1994 explorer with a 140000 miles on it 4.0 auto runs like a top for $1200 4x4 i want 2 kno what u guys would do with it like what size of lift? im gna put a 3inch body lift on it for sure and i was gna drop th rear end down so its under the leaf springs is that a good idea? i wanna put a 4 inch lift in it

 

[92greenexplorer]

buy a ranger lift it is the same and it is cheaper