Well Howdy y'all

[ibblsmn]

Well looks like I'm the noobee for a few minutes. (big wave)

Wife and I have a 1999 Explorer that has been perfect in every way. Now she's getting the bug to modify it a bit.

Going to be searching our Forum for hints and tips on lifting it and fitting 31x10.5 or 33x 12.5's.
Done a bit of Internet searching and haven't had much luck with products, so I figured I'd start asking around on the Forum.
Not new to off-road, 48 Willies overlander, 67 Bronco, 77 F150, 88 F150, and current 01 TJ. Lot's of SAR experience as well as hunting and camping. Very little to zero Explorer background other than driving one for 5 years and never having a problem.
Bare (or beer) with me and we will have a lot of fun in the future with our rigs.

What I hope to get from our Forum time together, is a wonderful off road rig that my wife and I will run the trails the same as we do in our Jeep, except with the Explorer I'll have more room for the dog (Old English Mastiff, Names Odin) and better gas mileage.

As with any Forum, I'm sure there is certain rules and PC that I will screw up in the beginning. Hopefully you all will be understanding and give me time to fit in.

 

[section525]

Welcome to the site!

If you haven't already, it's a good idea to check out the forum FAQs found here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/faq.php?

Good luck with the modding! ...and the beer.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

Welcome to the site

 

[AlanGoering]

hey, where in Idaho are you from. I used to live there, in nampa. Well as far as a lift kit goes I have a 98 and I know trailmaster and superlift both make a 4 inch suspension lift kit for our generation of Explorers. Or if you just want a little lift to run 31 or 32's do a search on "Torsion twist" which is a free up to 2 inch "safely" lift for the front end, and then you will have to get either shackles or an add a leaf for the rear to match the front. I have a 4 inch lift kit and a 2 inch torsion twist and home made shackles and I clear 33x12.50's so that there is no rub even all the way turned and I tried on 35's but they rubbed a little bit. However If you want a true trail monster definately go with a solid axle swap. It's what im planning on doing as soon as I find a complete 8.8 or something cause I have wild dreams of 38-44 inch tires. anyway click the link to see pictures of my explorer on 33's for you to see if you want to go with the suspension lift route or if you only want 31's or so : http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/796765

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Welcome to the site, if you need any help - post it or search for it!

-Drew

 

[ibblsmn]

hey, where in Idaho are you from. I used to live there, in nampa. Well as far as a lift kit goes I have a 98 and I know trailmaster and superlift both make a 4 inch suspension lift kit for our generation of Explorers. Or if you just want a little lift to run 31 or 32's do a search on "Torsion twist" which is a free up to 2 inch "safely" lift for the front end, and then you will have to get either shackles or an add a leaf for the rear to match the front. I have a 4 inch lift kit and a 2 inch torsion twist and home made shackles and I clear 33x12.50's so that there is no rub even all the way turned and I tried on 35's but they rubbed a little bit. However If you want a true trail monster definately go with a solid axle swap. It's what im planning on doing as soon as I find a complete 8.8 or something cause I have wild dreams of 38-44 inch tires. anyway click the link to see pictures of my explorer on 33's for you to see if you want to go with the suspension lift route or if you only want 31's or so : http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/796765

2C Idaho, so we used to be neighbors. I make it over to Ontario, Or on a regular basis, are you western or eastern Or?
Thanks for the info, and the welcoming post.

 

[ibblsmn]

Welcome to the site, if you need any help - post it or search for it!

-Drew

I'll be searching first as this seems to be PC for technical forums.

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Seems to be a hospitable Forum, with tons of great information.

 

[AlanGoering]

I have family from Ontario, I live near Portland now. but I go to Idaho at least 5 times a year. Maybe sometime when I have my rig over there we can do some wheeling. I know of almost no places to go on trails out there besides land owned by people I know. Oh ya, Just as a fair warning.. This site will be harder on your wallet than any other site on the internet, and it doesnt even sell stuff. besides the classifieds. I see everyones Explorer on this site and I am entirely obligated to keep putting more money into mine. Which seems to be an epidemic spread through most of us on this forum. Anyway good luck picking a lift and hope the mod bug doesnt get to you to badly.
Alan