What's the way to go for a 3" lift

[CHigg]

I've got a '95 explorer expedition model without any modifications. I just bought it and am not that familiar but would like to put a 3" lift on it. Yea, i'm not that rich either so does anybody have any suggestions on what kind (body/spindle) of lift I should get? I'd like to do some light off-roading too but also want to take it on trips and stuff so...

 

[Texplorer]

Are you 2wd or 4wd?? Welcome to the site.

 

[CHigg]

its a 4wd

 

[Texplorer]

The cheapest way for 3" would probably be a 2" body lift and TT/Shackles. I wouldnt do a 3" TT cause that would be to much angle for your CV's.

 

[CHigg]

thanks

 

[Texplorer]

I forgot to mention that you could go with a 3" body lift but then you will have to mess with steering extentions and its a little more involved than the 2". The BEST way to go would be what I said in the secons post.

 

[Yomie]

Originally posted by Texplorer
I forgot to mention that you could go with a 3" body lift but then you will have to mess with steering extentions and its a little more involved than the 2". The BEST way to go would be what I said in the secons post.

I've done both the 2" and 3" body lifts on my explorer. I did the 2" first and then went to 3". IMO the 3" is by far easier, because #1 all the bolts you need come with the kit, The 2" body lift is actually made for the older explorer, so you have to go to different bolt stores to find the correct length bolts. But its your truck and your time, not mine. Do a search on body lifts both 2" and 3".

Splashman and myself have done the 2" then went to 3" we both reccomend that if you do a BL you might as well do 3". the steering extention is only 2 bolts, its really easy.

The Body lift will run you around $160 after you get the lift and proper bumper brackets.

Superlifts 4" suspention lift will run you around $1400 or so

And a 2" TT/Shackle lift will run you around $70 if you dont get the AAL (Add a leaf - $20 more) these prices are rough estimates and do not include the alignment

 

[Texplorer]

Well, I would listen to Yomie. He has done it already and has experience in both body lifts. Any way you look at it the body lift is the cheapest way to get the 3" you are looking for.

 

[Redrig]

i agree if you do a body lift go 3" the first time.

 

[Texplorer]

Alright YOMIE and REDRIG!!!! You guys just opened up a can of worms. I had my heart set on a 2" BL and was going to order in a week or so, but now you got me toying around with the idea of going with the 3" BL. I'll tell you the reasons why I didnt want the 3" and lets see what you guys have to say about it.

1st- I didnt want to mess with the steering extensions and everything, what else is needed for the 3"BL besides the steering extention.

2nd- I have a hitch and a brushguard that I really want to keep and I thought that I might be able to rig something up with the brushguard with the 2" BL, but I dont know if I can do that with the 3" BL. I dont mind the way the hitch looks with the 2" BL but it sure does hang way down there with the 3".

3rd- If I go with the 3" I have to order the ranger 3"BL. But I herd the 3" bumper brackets only lift the bumper 2". Will I just have to leave it like that.

Thats just a few questions for now. Lets hear what you guys have to say to convince me to go with the 3". Kepp in mind that I am only going with 32" tires. Nothing larger.

 

[Redrig]

nothing else is needed you have to everything the same except you do it in more inch. as the steering extension goes with the 3" even after the extension you will have a slight hard spot in it. unless you buy a flaming river one. as far as your brush guard goes you were already planning to fabricate something, so just do it an inch longer. im not sure about the brackets in the kit but there only spuare pieces of steel that would be easy to make. most important, youll never fit 32" tires with just a 2"lift you will probably have to trim even with the 3" lift. unless you have a expedition than im not sure. your 95 explorer expedition model confuses me. once you lift it most people usually end up wanting to go higher keep that in mind and goodluck. ok i see its an expedition i would think you will be fine with 32's then.

 

[Texplorer]

What hard spot are you talking about?
As for the brushguard I was thinkin about cutting it and rewelding it 2" higher but I don think I will have enough room to cut it and move it 3" up. And if the bumper only moves up 2" and the body moves up 3" then it wont line up anyway, so I may just have to loose the brushguard all together which I really dont want to do. I already have the TT/Shackles so fitting 32's is no problem at all.

 

[ExplSport02]

AWWWWW man good thing this was posted....I already have a brush guard on and was trying to decide whether to just go with 32's w/ TT/shackles/AAL or 33's w/ TT/Shackles/3"BL. I wasnt even thinkin of the brushguard not fitting with the BL. Guess itll be the 32's.

 

[Texplorer]

Yup, thats one of my main concerns. That and the big gap left behind with the 3" BL.

 

[Redrig]

ive never had experience with a brushguard but i would think that moving it is the same eiter way its just one more inch. if everything else goes up 3" you should have room to move the rest. your bumper will line up if you make your own brackets and not use the ones in the kit for a 2" lift. the steering is binded with a 3" lift so at one spot as you turn it just gets a little hard.

 

[ExplSport02]

I guess if i really wanted i could fab a metal piece for my brush guard, but even if i went with 33's id want to regear to 4.56 instead of my 3.73. Im just a poor college kid so 32 are gonna be it.

My brushguard mounts to the same bolts as the tow hooks....Maybe it would work with that logic, but i dont know. Its late and my brain hurts

 

[Redrig]

i run 33's with 3:73's and yeah i could use a little more gear but its not that bad. its actually about the same in the city. on the highway i got to step on it a little to pass. but its definatlety ok. then later you could get the 4:56's but keep in mind doing a gear swap is about 1500 bucks give or take.

 

[Texplorer]

My brushguard mounts to the bottom of the framerail and to the top of it also. And my brackets curve inbetween the bumper and the body and also under the bumper. Yeah I know, it sounds weird. I think Im just going to stay with the 2".

 

[ExplSport02]

Red i think you really want me to go for the 33's Dont have much exp with BL's but maybe if i could find someone around here to help me id do it. Any volunteers?

Tex im pretty sure my guard mounts the same as yours. Under the hood on top and to the frame at the bottom through the bumper

 

[Redrig]

im just saying i dont have any probs with mine other than my steering is a little stiff. i had mine put on by a shop for only 300 dollars maybe you could consider that route. i just dont want you to want to go bigger after its done and then have to go through it again.