To lower or to lift. Would like opinions

[J_Train]

I have acquired my ex-wife's 2010 Ford Explorer Limited 2WD. It needs the timing components done or a new motor installed. I haven't torn it down yet. As the title suggests, I would like everyone's opinions on whether I should lower or lift it. Either way, there are going to be frame modifications done to get it where I want it. If I lower it, the frame will be modified for CV clearance. If I lift it, the rear frame will be chopped up to use a solid axle in the rear to begin with, then possibly a solid front axle later down the road. So go ahead and throw your opinion on the post.

 

[tank06explorer]

Either way its gonna be all about cost, some people have done rear axle swaps and threw in the explorer rear end and custom fitted f150 struts.

How to: - Front Coilovers for 4th Gen Lift

In my quest to maximize the off road capability of my rig, I was getting ready to do some sort of custom swap similar to Ronin8002 https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/ronin8002s-4th-gen-custom-coilover-conversion.376292 where he custom welded a bunch of mounting hardware to get a 5"...

www.explorerforum.com

Completed Project - Solid Rear Axle Swap

Hey guys, I've been meaning to post on this for a while. Last summer, I decided to go all in on upgrading the off-road capability of my Explorer, with a goal of seeing what the Explorer might have been if Ford had decided to compete with the Wrangler and 4Runner 15 year before the Bronco was...

www.explorerforum.com

I have also heard lowering is pretty hard as well, you might as well keep stock suspension and use lowering coilovers. Although I've heard those coil-overs like to bottom out the explorer.

 

[J_Train]

Either way its gonna be all about cost, some people have done rear axle swaps and threw in the explorer rear end and custom fitted f150 struts.

How to: - Front Coilovers for 4th Gen Lift

In my quest to maximize the off road capability of my rig, I was getting ready to do some sort of custom swap similar to Ronin8002 https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/ronin8002s-4th-gen-custom-coilover-conversion.376292 where he custom welded a bunch of mounting hardware to get a 5"...

www.explorerforum.com

Completed Project - Solid Rear Axle Swap

Hey guys, I've been meaning to post on this for a while. Last summer, I decided to go all in on upgrading the off-road capability of my Explorer, with a goal of seeing what the Explorer might have been if Ford had decided to compete with the Wrangler and 4Runner 15 year before the Bronco was...

www.explorerforum.com

I have also heard lowering is pretty hard as well, you might as well keep stock suspension and use lowering coilovers. Although I've heard those coil-overs like to bottom out the explorer.

Modifying the explorer won't be new to me, the cost not that big of a deal as most parts will be from Ford (I work at a ford dealer) or a pick and pull. As for lowering I have looked at the frame here and there in the past, but I probably wouldn't go low enough to need to modify the frame or CV axle passthrough. I could have customer springs made but then the shocks would be some an issue if low enough. Wouldn't mind the idea of working with a friend of mine toake a one off lift kit with all the brackets to properly drop everything that needs to be dropped. Drop brackets for the lower control arms maybe make drop brackets for the upper control arm since I'm not going to have the taller spindle/knuckle that usually comes with lift kits.its all just ideas that can always change and not happen as well. But I have converted a 1996 2wd that was lower 4 inches to 4wd then lifted it 7-8 inches. I lowered a 96 sport and ditched the torsion bars for coilovers and linked the rear with coilovers. So I'm not exactly afraid to modify stuff. I do have kids so that may be what stops this from being as extensive as I would like lol.

 

[410Fortune]

2010
Is just a hard model to go up or down with so it’s going to require some extensive mods either way if you plan to go further then just adjusting the ride height

It would be cool to see one lifted like not just lifted but with some actual usable wheel travel

Do you have pics of this project?

Chop
Cut weld! Anything is possible
I’ve been modding and mobbing a bronco ii for 25+ years now… back in the day everyone told me I was crazy and it can’t be done… now the bii is sought after and heavily
Modded in every way possible.
Go against the grain! I’m a fan

 

[SofaKing95]

I have acquired my ex-wife's 2010 Ford Explorer Limited 2WD. It needs the timing components done or a new motor installed. I haven't torn it down yet. As the title suggests, I would like everyone's opinions on whether I should lower or lift it. Either way, there are going to be frame modifications done to get it where I want it. If I lower it, the frame will be modified for CV clearance. If I lift it, the rear frame will be chopped up to use a solid axle in the rear to begin with, then possibly a solid front axle later down the road. So go ahead and throw your opinion on the post.

Lift

 

[J_Train]

2010
Is just a hard model to go up or down with so it’s going to require some extensive mods either way if you plan to go further then just adjusting the ride height

It would be cool to see one lifted like not just lifted but with some actual usable wheel travel

Do you have pics of this project?

Chop
Cut weld! Anything is possible
I’ve been modding and mobbing a bronco ii for 25+ years now… back in the day everyone told me I was crazy and it can’t be done… now the bii is sought after and heavily
Modded in every way possible.
Go against the grain! I’m a fan

This is when we bought it 5 years ago. I don't have current pictures. I've ben thinking with the color I might lower it. Would be cheaper in the long run as well. Plus this does look way more fragile than my old 96 that was on 36-inch Iroks. Also the factory 20’s need to be fixed and refinished. They met a few potholes while she owned it they're all bent and one is cracked. Not sure if I want to fix them or buy another set if lowered. If lifted its going to get wheels. I don't care for lifted trucks and anything over an 18.

 

[dvdswan]

Lift definitely.

But you need to ask yourself, what are you going to use it for? Mall cruising or actual backwoods/desert wheeling.

 

[m j]

I dont think this is a car to lift. they look great lowered. you need rear struts to lower it. stock do not have enough up travel

 

[BKennedy]

What are you planning on using it for?

For a 2WD Explorer that's street use only, then lowering it as much as possible without modifying the frame would be my choice.

If you are planning on making a dedicated off-road trail rig, I would sell it and start with a 4WD easier to modify year model. A Bronco II, 1st Gen, or V8 Mountaineer would be my choice. If you are determined to use the one you got, and have the skills and resources, then go for it and post a build thread.

 

[m j]

can anyone link to any images of an explorer that had to modify the frame to lower it? that sounds like COMPLETE bullshit to me. the CV is pretty much in the frame pocket and the lever ratio has almost no movement of the shaft near the frame

 

[J_Train]

For the cost, I think I will lower this one and maybe get another 2nd-gen one down the road, and lift it like the old one I had. Thanks for the input and opinions. I will try to keep things posted here and on Facebook if I'm still part of the groups.

 

[J_Train]

I dont think this is a car to lift. they look great lowered. you need rear struts to lower it. stock do not have enough up travel

View attachment 465055

What do you recommend for a rear replacement shock? Or am I essentially limited to aftermarket coilovers? It is a shock as it's not attached to a knuckle and does not turn with the knuckle and steering system, that and its in the rear lol.

 

[m j]

What do you recommend for a rear replacement shock? Or am I essentially limited to aftermarket coilovers? It is a shock as it's not attached to a knuckle and does not turn with the knuckle and steering system, that and its in the rear lol.

oh semantics. nice. you need to move the upper end of the 'dampening device' higher up. how you do that is on you. cut the mounts off the frame and move them up? find a shorter OAL damper? the aftermarket change the upper bucket to protrude through the center of the OEM mount higher and use a shorter damper. its a bolt on to use the aftermarket and it opens you up to a vast selection of springs

 

[Fbird]

I dont think this is a car to lift. they look great lowered. you need rear struts to lower it. stock do not have enough up travel

View attachment 465055

MJ....talk to me about 06-10 lowering struts?..axle clearance?

 

[dvdswan]

LIFT!

 

[Fbird]

i finally finished my "research", the method to lower it is simply use 02-05 STRUTS with drop coils for 02-05 model. Not sure on alignment stuff yet but the struts assemblies are bolt in ready.

lowering my 06 limited

It seems this is a BIG ? that nobody has answered via ...is there a kit/system out there for these. I have yet to find anything other than $800 strut swap that says NOTHING about the geometry affects you may be forced into. I believe I have an idea for lowering it without breaking the bank or...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[m j]

MJ....talk to me about 06-10 lowering struts?..axle clearance?

no idea what you mean. there is zero axle clearance issues. not sure who started that myth.

 

[Fbird]

no idea what you mean. there is zero axle clearance issues. not sure who started that myth.

Not really a MYTH. If you allow the rear hub TOO much upward travel i can see some concern of the axle clearance as it goes thru the frame rail.
Concern YES how much ...idk, havent measured nor even mocked up travel limiting concerns. Some folks would not consider a 1.5" drop "lowering" but when you get into 6" LOWERING stuff alot of things change.

 

[m j]

Not really a MYTH. If you allow the rear hub TOO much upward travel i can see some concern of the axle clearance as it goes thru the frame rail.
Concern YES how much ...idk, havent measured nor even mocked up travel limiting concerns. Some folks would not consider a 1.5" drop "lowering" but when you get into 6" LOWERING stuff alot of things change.

that is not lowering at 6"drop that is a complete redesign of the vehicle. you would be trying to move the suspension further then the total up travel in the factory design. the axle centerline would be in the passenger compartment. way outside the scope of this forum.
the CV is basically in the frame cutout and that is not the limiting factor at all for a drivable lowered Exploder.

 

[BKennedy]

that is not lowering at 6"drop that is a complete redesign of the vehicle. you would be trying to move the suspension further then the total up travel in the factory design. the axle centerline would be in the passenger compartment. way outside the scope of this forum.
the CV is basically in the frame cutout and that is not the limiting factor at all for a drivable lowered Exploder.

Major modifications are definitely not outside the scope of this forum. Maybe outside the intended scope of this thread, but there's lots of heavily modified vehicle build threads. The forum was originally created as a meeting place for like minded off road Ford Ranger based vehicle enthusiasts.