Where I'm at with my explorer! Help :)

[Palmer7]

Ok so sorry first of all I have not been posting in while been a little busy haha. But I have spent some time doing some extensive research and I have decided to start from the bottom and work my way up.

I'm thinking of getting some 33"/12.50 (Maybe not 12.50's I need to look up the advantages and disadvantages of wider tires) but tires on some 15X8 wheels just some cheap wheels and I'm still researching some tires.

Also I am thinking of getting some spacers (any suggestions I don't know much about spacers so any information is better than none) and then also I going to get my new gears 4.56.

This will get a good start going so I am still being able to drive my car around and can research more on the lift I want to get. Also I have started too collect gear do you guys have any suggestions for cb or ham radios?

BTW I don't know if it's the same around everyone else's area but does everyone you see with a lifted vehicle have these wheels? and any reason they might? other than super cheap price.

 

[Baddecision93]

Ok so sorry first of all I have not been posting in while been a little busy haha. But I have spent some time doing some extensive research and I have decided to start from the bottom and work my way up.

I'm thinking of getting some 33"/12.50 (Maybe not 12.50's I need to look up the advantages and disadvantages of wider tires) but tires on some 15X8 wheels just some cheap wheels and I'm still researching some tires.

Also I am thinking of getting some spacers (any suggestions I don't know much about spacers so any information is better than none) and then also I going to get my new gears 4.56.

This will get a good start going so I am still being able to drive my car around and can research more on the lift I want to get. Also I have started too collect gear do you guys have any suggestions for cb or ham radios?

BTW I don't know if it's the same around everyone else's area but does everyone you see with a lifted vehicle have these wheels? and any reason they might? other than super cheap price.

Alright, on the tires, my suggestion would be to stick to 10.50 if you can. A wider tire is going to rub your radius arm at full steering lock with the size lift you're looking at. I would personally stick with the 10.50s.

As far as wheel spacers, do you just want them because wide tires that stick out look cool? Cause I'm not gonna lie I love that look. However after looking into spacers I wouldn't do them. Get a rim with smaller backspacing (like 3.5") and the wheel will stick out more.

Spacers move the tire further away from the suspension and put more stress on all the components. Think about holding a dumbbell in your arm at shoulder level. Now think about how much extra weight it feels like as you move your arm away from your body. If you hold one with your arm completely extended it really wears on you. It's the same with your suspension. The further the wheel is out from hub the more stress you put on parts.

4.56 will be a good choice. It seems like you're getting a good plan laid out for your build.

As far as CBs dad and I have always run Cobras and always liked them but I've still managed to blow up 2 somehow lol. If you like a lot of lights in your cab look at the Cobra Nightwatch series. Lights up like a christmas tree . Makes you feel like you have a ****pit

Far as those wheels, I think a lot of guys just like a cheap, reliable wheel. You can't really go wrong with a painted steel wheel like that.

 

[Palmer7]

OK! I think I might be finally getting everything together... YAY!!!

SO! I'll show you my shopping list and I also have some questions along with that list.

Car Parts:

Lift kit: Suspension Lift by SuperLift- 1990-94 Ford Explorer 4WD 4" Front / 4" Rear $1,221.20

Body lift: 1990-1994 Ford Explorer / Mazda Navajo 2wd & 4wd - 2" Body Lift Kit $157.42

Wheels: Cragar 3975812P - Cragar Black Soft 15X8 $203.75

Brake hoses: SuperLift- 1991-94 Ford +4.5" Front Brake Hoses FACTORY RUBBER - 1 $111.63
SuperLift- 1987-94 Ford +2.5" Rear Brake Hose FACTORY RUBBER - 1 $49.59

Gears: 4.56 front and rear (need some help here. should I buy from like a local 4x4 place? or some big wig place also I don't really know who does gear swaps.)

Tires: I have looked at so many that I am getting my brain fried over this haha. I'm just looking for some aggressive A/T tires something like 33"/10.50. nothing too spendy tho.

Car accesories:

Cobra Nightwatch 29WXNWST 40-Channel CB Radio $127.17

12 Ton Standard Bottle Jack $91.51

This is what I have gotten so far just some main stuff that I have checked out I'm not going to stop here. Any comments or suggestions on anything?

BTW the superlift lift kit was a good find by me but is it a good 4" by you guys? I haven't found anything wrong with it so far by what reviews are saying..

 

[Baddecision93]

Wow. I'm really impressed by how well you're planning this. This is how you should go about building a truck. Lots of planning and research before you ever spend a dime.

From what I know the superlift is a fine kit. Well built. Now is that the price for the shop to install it for you?

You will definitely clear 33x10.5 between the suspension and body lift. There are lots of tire reviews on here. My personal favorite are BF Goodrich AT K/Os. They consistently score extremely well in testing and amateur opinion is usually the same. They are a little pricey though.
A good alternative, from what I've read, are General Grabbers but I have no personal experience with them.

I don't know how to find someone who does gear swaps. I looked around my area in the yellowpages and internet searches and couldn't find a damn thing which is partly why I just decided to swap in whole axles instead.
There are a lot of guys on the forum up in your area. If I were you I would start a 'Help an Oreganian with gear swap" thread and just see if any of them have some good suggestions on where to go.

Glad you decided on the Nightwatch. Isn't that a sweet radio?

One last question, why would you pick a bottle jack over a high lift jack?

Looks like you're definitely on the right track!

 

[Palmer7]

No thats only buying it. I think I will try and have someone off the forum help me if they are willing and also maybe the gears too so i can learn how to do all this and then ill get my tires and wheels put on at a place like Les Schwab or something.

The A/T tires that I was looking at were the Goodyear Wrangler A/T's though's have some very aggressive tread. But I just needed another suggestion to counter my own. I have heard of those BF Goodrich AT KO's before they seem like really nice tires. I'll probably end up deciding between the two.

yea its a pretty sweet radio I can't wait too set it up! NO bad reviews either. What type of antenna do you use with yours?

Idk the bottle jack is on the item list and I was just pretty much going through and looking at everything I see that everyone has a high lift jack tho so that will probably be what I'm going to go for.

 

[Baddecision93]

Ya, the bottle jack just won't really do it on a lifted vehicle. You'll have to get a piece of wood or something to make up the height difference you need and that just gets flat out unsafe.

A high lift isn't the greatest for working on a vehicle. You'd do yourself a favor getting a high lift floor jack. It might be worth it to get one at a local rental shop for when you go to do your install if you don't feel like spending the money on one.

I haven't heard anything back about those Goodyears. Like I said, I've run the BFGs and they were really good tires but definitely not the cheapest.

To be honest I'm not sure what antenna I ran. My dad has semis so I always just "borrow" one of his extras lol. That's cool though cause right now he's "borrowing" my new mic so it all works out.

 

[Palmer7]

I found a 5 1/2 superrunner lift kit for only $20 more than my original 4 inch kit

also limiting straps are offered with the lift. any use? or are they just a waist?

I also wanted to ask about traction bars. Are these worth getting at all?

Right now I just am looking at everything else. The add ons. Does anyone have anything in the mean time you guys think i can do too my truck? free or not?

 

[Baddecision93]

Boy, you asked a myriad of questions I don't have answers to lol.

To be honest I don't think you need limiting straps. I could be wrong but I believe they're just used with coilover suspensions. They just limit total downward suspension travel so that you don't break anything by overextending it. I think.

Unless you are doing a spring over axle in the back you don't need to worry about traction bars. (In my opinion). Our trucks don't really put down enough power to worry about it.

As far as cheap or free mods...you can take off the plastic valance that hangs below the bumper if yours is still on. It makes it look a little taller from the front. And if you have running boards or side skirts a lot of guys pull those off too. Just be prepared; you might see a ton of rust underneath.

 

[StryctNy9e]

And remember that there are people in you area that are willing to help you work on your truck for the small price of making new friends, gaining knowlege, and having new wheelin buddies. Not too long ago I was in your same shoes and researching lifts, I am just going to do the easy coil seat/shackle/add-a-leaf lift and some new rims and tires to start myself out. I dont have a bulging wallet otherwise I would go with a 4" lift and a minor setback due to the fact that I went wheelin in my stock EX and may have ruined the motor. Anyways if you want to save the money on labor I am a decently experienced mechanic(I do all my own and friends projects) so just give me a holler when you are ready and Im always down to get dirty.