What Suspension to Fit 38's

[chuxstang]

It is getting close to the time when I need to buy some new tires. I am interested in going bigger though. I want to fit 38's. I currently have a 4" Superlift Suspension Lift and a 3" Body Lift. and I am wondering what I would have to change, add, or replace to get the extra height to clear the tires. Can I do a spring Over aand shackles in the rear and if so how much extra lift do I need and What can I do to lift the front the same height??? Please help guys, I don't even know where to start....

 

[Robb]

A solid axle swap is your only option for a semi-dependable driveline to runs 38s. Fitting them isn't the issue, not grenading your axles is.

edit: taking a quick look at your CD page, you list your rear axle as a 9", and from the pics, it isn't. Did you swap in a 9"?

 

[RFR2212]

Yup, search up on switching to a solid axle.

 

[RockRanger]

and bust out the saw and start cutting that body to make them fit.

 

[CarFreak146]

I will be running 38s, but I'm doin a full width axle swap. its all in how and what you use in your swap.

 

[chuxstang]

I have the 9" in my garage on the floor. I am planning on swapping it in when I do the bigger lift. I am just wondering what other suspension adjustments I need to do. And I would like to avoid cutting the body if possible.

 

[chuxstang]

so I guess I am basically asking you guys to lift the parts I am going to need to buy or what you would recommend and why.. Even doing custom stuff is an option. My dad has a machine shop..

 

[CarFreak146]

so I guess I am basically asking you guys to lift the parts I am going to need to buy or what you would recommend and why.. Even doing custom stuff is an option. My dad has a machine shop..

First off, you need a Dana 44 Axle...... as RFR2212 said..... search the site for Axle Swaps... there's a TON of info that will tell you what you need to do.

--Ryan

 

[chuxstang]

First off, you need a Dana 44 Axle...... as RFR2212 said..... search the site for Axle Swaps... there's a TON of info that will tell you what you need to do.

--Ryan

I need to buy a D44 for the front? I don't see how this has to do with getting the suspension to fit 38's though. This is not a daily driver so I am not worried about making it run good on the road..

 

[CarFreak146]

I need to buy a D44 for the front? I don't see how this has to do with getting the suspension to fit 38's though. This is not a daily driver so I am not worried about making it run good on the road..

Then what do you use it for if you don't drive it?? if you wheel then, then the D35 is not gonna hold up, if its a street queen, then there's no need to put 38s under it, b/c its just gonna make the truck die that much Quicker, b/c running big tires will put SO much more strain on the driveline as a whole, esp. the tranny (and they're crap as it is) and the engine. And I have a feeling its just not gonna sit in yer driveway all the time.... if you were never gonna drive it, maybe just take to a car show on a trailer, then yes, you could keep the D35 front end under it, but if you actually plan on using it for the intentions of a 38" tire, then you're gonna need a LOT stronger front end in your truck to put up with the strain they'll put on your truck. That's why I said a D44.... I guess if its gonna be a street queen, a D30 will be fine too... but the TTB D35 will NOT hold up to 38s.

--Ryan

 

[chuxstang]

Then what do you use it for if you don't drive it?? if you wheel then, then the D35 is not gonna hold up, if its a street queen, then there's no need to put 38s under it, b/c its just gonna make the truck die that much Quicker, b/c running big tires will put SO much more strain on the driveline as a whole, esp. the tranny (and they're crap as it is) and the engine. And I have a feeling its just not gonna sit in yer driveway all the time.... if you were never gonna drive it, maybe just take to a car show on a trailer, then yes, you could keep the D35 front end under it, but if you actually plan on using it for the intentions of a 38" tire, then you're gonna need a LOT stronger front end in your truck to put up with the strain they'll put on your truck. That's why I said a D44.... I guess if its gonna be a street queen, a D30 will be fine too... but the TTB D35 will NOT hold up to 38s.

--Ryan

thanks, you pretty much answered my question. The explorer really never gets driven is what I meant. I have intentions of building it to be a serious Off-Roader So I think I will go ahead and find a D44. It pretty much just sits at my dads shop and looks pretty cus gas is so expensive and I have to drive 50 miles a day to school and work. I go get it out every once in a great while.

 

[CarFreak146]

Glad I could help

 

[RFR2212]

thanks, you pretty much answered my question. The explorer really never gets driven is what I meant. I have intentions of building it to be a serious Off-Roader So I think I will go ahead and find a D44. It pretty much just sits at my dads shop and looks pretty cus gas is so expensive and I have to drive 50 miles a day to school and work. I go get it out every once in a great while.

Plan on replacing the u-joints with CTM joints, and upgrade axles, because the 44 will still break parts with that big of a tire.

 

[RhinoX]

38's are going to weight like 100+ lb. each with the rim.

 

[jasonb]

If you plan to run 38s.. I'd think bigger than a d44.

 

[appx91]

I am going to run 39.5 IROKS on a Dana 44 with Chromolly shafts and Longfield joints. I know of 2 guys at our shop that are running with 39.5 or 42's with Dana 44's in front and no breakage. All depends on how you build it and how you wheel it. I will have a complete write on my SAS within a month. 60 rear 44 front. I am going to have 13" of lift total. And 3 of those are a BL. You are gonna either have to move the front axle foward to fit the tires or cut fenders and even possibly both. My SAS is in the process so any ?'s jsut holler at me.

 

[Bruces expo]

do any of you guys with a sas have any lift parts for a first gen

 

[bitchinexplorer]

i was thinkin about this too and...if the explorer is only a daily driver, could the stock front axle stay with a 38 inch tire?...without breaking stuff

 

[jasonb]

if you only back up and down the driveway a few times.. sure!

it would probably hold ok for a while. You would wear out everything in no time though. Ask Jefe about that.

 

[full foot notch]

hey, my explorer was on 38s, and its SAS, and its even a 92 sport, right now its temp on 35s, till the new axles go under the truck, which would be a 3/4ton D44, and a 14bolt rear and at least 39.5 , but now its getting a 12 inch suspension lift all around and maybe if i wanna go bigger tire, a 3 inch BL

my truck
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124051