Torsion Twist Lift Experience

[bell99exp]

Hello fellow explorer enthusiasts. I'm looking to see if some of your experiences are the same as mine or not with the Torsion Twist lift. I have owned my 1999 Explorer 4wd 4dr for approx 2 yrs now. After about a year, I wanted heighth. I started looking into what lift kits were available for this model era, and found nothing at the time. Soon after, a 4" suspension kit was just being marketed. But I really didn't want to go that high,(got kids!!). I wanted to stay around the 2" range. So then a Jeep buddy of mine forwarded me to a site (explorer4x4) and said he knew of an inexpensive way to achieve my goal. So I visited the site, printed out the Tech Tip, and ordered the shackles. I do have to say, it was really easy to install. I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but not a mechanic. After installation, I was very happy with the stance. Awesome, yet suttle. After taking it on it's trial run, I did notice the stiffer ride. Otherwise, not bad. It wasn't until really driving it on highways, and windy roads, that I noticed the increased instability feeling. So I upgraded my tires from 235's to 31's. A little better, but feeling still there. My wife drives my explorer when she takes our dog to groomer, and when she takes my boys biking during the day in the summer time. So I was nervous that she might hit a bend too hard, and you know. So I took the shackles off, and readjusted the torsion bars. But still left the 31's on, with no problem. Much better ride and stability feeling. What gives?? The TT lift seems very popular. Just wondered if my experience was unique or not. Also, if there is any other way to achieve 2-3"s of lift, please let me know. I heard of a 3" Ford Ranger Body lift option, just not sure of the displaced center of gravity thing, same problem. Let me know what you guys thing, and sorry for the long post.

 

[Bronco638]

Welcome.

Firstly, experiment with the Search feature, it will become your best friend when doing research.

There are a couple of ways to get lift on an Explorer. Since you have IFS (independent front suspension), you are limited by the CV axle shafts. They can only take about 2" of misalignment before suffering from accelerated wear. So, the TT (torsion twist) will only get you 2" max. For the rear, you've several options; Add-a-Leaf, shackles, custom lift leaf packs or F150 leaf mod. Shackles are the cheapest/easiest but, as you discovered, add instability. Add-a-Leaf and F150 leaves cost about $100 but are more work (on your part) as it involves disassembly of the leaf spring packs. Custom lift packs are the most expensive.

Then, you can add a body lift (lift the body off the frame 2 or 3 inches).

The idea behind adding lift to the suspension and body is to be able to fit larger tires which increases ground clearance.

Any time you lift a vehicle, you raise the CG (center of gravity). This makes the vehicle more prone to roll over. What's needed is a way to keep the CG of the body close to the CG of the frame. This allows the suspension to better handle the higher CG of the body and keep the truck from rolling over. Adjusting your driving style (and your wife's) will help, too.

 

[dreamr]

I suppose that my ride is a little tighter after TT, but it has never effected my handling/control, though it did noticably increase my COG . I have always owned sports cars so tend to corner hard too.
The ex does have a tendency to get wobbly on a sharp/rough corner if going to fast, which is highly annoying, but it's a truck not a Mustang or GTI.

My first intentions after finishing up the series of mods needed to fit these 33's is to address handling concerns with an (as of yet undecided) set of good shocks, and an EE swaybar with quick disco's. Hopefully it will help a bit.

As to the body lift. To be honest i really don't notice a lot of difference (COG)from just the 2" suspension. There does seem to be a few spots I need to slow down a bit more, but overall the truck feels very stable even running on 30x9.50 with 5" of lift.

Now to figure out why my shackles squeek so bad in the cold just greased them too

 

[CDW6212R]

Every Explorer/Mountaineer owner should buy a larger rear anti-sway bar. It makes a bunch of difference. I don't like the $175ish price, but it is absolutely worth it.

I'd like to eventually find a replacement for the rubber rear endlink bushings.

The 98+ Explorers have the largest front bar standard. The 95-97 owners need to get the 98+ bar. Good luck,
DonW

 

[Bronco638]

Interesting Don.

I'm wondering if my F150 leaf springs are doing the work of a fatter rear bar. I think my truck corners pretty good now (and so does the chick in the Taurus SHO when I passed her in a corner after she drag raced me).