where to start?

[Yeeehaw86]

hi everyone. i'm new to the site, and just about to start toying with my explorer. i want to end up with a nice amount of lift (6"-8"), new diffs, new bumpers, a rack, some lights, and some engine mods. i would like some advice as to where to start with a lift, or a tube bumper. i've seen a few on some of the pics here and i like them. if anyone has any help as to where to find one of these bumpers, or how to build/buy a cheap or easy to install starting lift (maybe up to 3", not much yet), please let me know. thanks

 

[fordX302]

get a 3" lift spring and new torsion keys and bars.. 400 bucks and u got 3 inches.....

 

[Explorer#2]

You don’t have to get torsion keys, you just use adjust the torsion bars and it is about 2" of lift for free (search for "torsion bar 101"). Then in the back you can do add-a-leafs and shackles to get about 2" all around. Then you can get a three inch body lift. As to the tube bumper, most of the ones here are hand made I think, I have been searching for a long time trying to find one but I never have.

 

[slravene]

no one makes a tube bumper for the 2nd Gen explorer. Find you a shop that can build you a custom one. 99 times out of 100 it will end up being cheaper than buying a premade bumper anyways. Plus you get to decide what it looks like and how it functions. Search around, there are alot of guys (myself included) who have modded their 2nd gens to put up with some abuse. I have less than $1500 in mine and it has never left me stranded.

 

['97 V8]

you could buy a lift for the explorer from superlift or trailmaster, search for the cpmparison, and that will set you back 1600 bucks. Then a 2 inch body lift and you got 6 inches right there. But like #2 (dr.evil pinky point) said, 2"tt 3inch bl and shackles you'll be set to fit 33's.

. Find you a shop that can build you a custom one. 99 times out of 100 it will end up being cheaper than buying a premade bumper anyways.

as what he said he's totally right. a tube bumper made to my specs whould have ran me 150-170 and it had skid platingrunning underneath (ofcourse its always good to have a buddy who fabricates bumpers).

And welcome to the site. you'll enjoy it here, and it becomes addicting.

And a word of cuation, use the SEARCH before you post a question cuz some guys will eat you alive for it.

 

[Explorer#2]

well if you want to lift some trucks like Chevys, cough-cough-suck ass-cough-cough, it is better to use a new torsion key

 

['97 V8]

well if you want to lift some trucks like Chevys, cough-cough-suck ass-cough-cough

you crack me up hahaha

 

[Yeeehaw86]

ok, before anyone tries to kill me, i DID search for this. hahaha. i looked for shackles, warrior, and anything close to that, and still haven't found anywhere to buy warrior shackles. anybody got the website? thanks for the input and the welcome notes.

 

[Explorer#2]

http://www.rubicon4x4.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=739_3068_3069

look here

 

[slravene]

tellico4x4 has them too

 

[xman98]

as far as the engine upgrades you will probally want an intake kit(k&N, KKN......) to start.

 

[fordX302]

as far as my suggestion for torsion keys were blown off. For 80 bucks, gets u 2-3 inches higher then factory kets give you. do the math....4-5 inch TT as i have done on my 00 ford ranger. and 3 inch lifts springs and 2 inch block.... and presto.... no cheap ass shackle's that bind an bend, a true stong flexible lift... dont forget to rig a set a swaybar disconnects... very easy to do, and nice to have on the trails.... my ranger is sporting 36'' claw's no fender trimming needed. although does catch a rub from time to time... all together invested minus rims and tires....... 400 bucks..... and a way nice ride.

 

[fordX302]

oh yea and look into springs over axle. for rear. some people like it sum dont. never did it either way... but they make flip kits to ride it over axle.. good luck

 

[slravene]

are you serious?

First off, blocks will lower an explorer.
second off, 5 inches of TT will still not = a SOA conversion which is about 6 inches of lift. Thats not to mention IF you can somehow manage to get 5 inches out of it, which is unheard of on a 4wd.
Third off, Blocks are one of the worst investments and offroader can make. You say that blocks are a real lift...where shackles will bend? Show me. Prove to me that a Warrior shackle (much much stronger than a stock shackle) will bend in a bind. Your leaf spring will bend first. Blocks cause axle wrap and lots of it. Blocks are the cheap ass lift...

I would really like to see where in the blue hell you get your information on blocks being a smarter idea than shackles.

 

[adarkang]

Get yourself a 5" Ranger RCD lift and a 2" BL and this is what you get:

 

[Explorer#2]

yeah 5" out of a TT, i call BS, and blocks are not as great as you say they are, but if they are so great why do most people not run them? and lee is right blocks will lower an X unless you do a SOA

 

[Yeeehaw86]

Get yourself a 5" Ranger RCD lift and a 2" BL and this is what you get:

not to be a total newbie, but you do mean ranger as in the pickup right? and what is a RCD lift? i hope this doesn't seem totally stupid to you guys, because i honestly have no idea. thanks for the sites everybody. any more suggestions, keep em coming.

 

[slravene]

the ranger is the pickup yes...but the RCD (brand, Race Car Dynamics) is a lfit that can be retrofitted to the explorer, but was made for a Ranger. The two are very similar in design. The RCD lift is so good because it replaces your Torsion Bars with Coilovers. It is a great setup....but VERY VERY expensive.

 

[fordX302]

as far as blocks being a cheap lift yes they are. ive seen shackles bend. although never have seen the warrior bend. and yes 5 inches is NOT unheard of with a tt when you replace the key with an aftermarket adjustment. as far as a block you would do a soa conversion to go along with that block. i am well aware that the explorer's come SPRING UNDER AXLE,, but that ~~might~~ make you higher in there rear of the truck, depends on the look. i know blocks dropp trucks, my 97 was blocked, and they suck...... but when your on a budget and looking to get 5 inches this realy isnt a bad way to go. imo shackles are just so damn ugly.. but everyone has there methods. i was just voicing mine. i know some people dont like this company. but i order parts for 2 of my trucks no problem at all. 00 ranger 5 inch lift with keys springs blks. and a 97 5.0 awd dropped 4.5 mini notched... and that 4.5 inches in front also within a tenth of a degree camber. ranger uper contol arms make that happen.

 

[Explorer#2]

shackles look ugly? i think it looks unsafe to have a five inch block on your rear axle.

You want to talk cheap you said that all the stuff you claim to have done cost about $400'ish. well shackle are about $50, add-a-leafs about $30, 3" body lift about $200, and the 2" tt about FREE(my price range), that gives you a grand total of about $280. With that you have $120 left over, and i gave you $20 on the body lift to cover shipping. prices form the site in my above post, summitracing.com, and accessory-center.com

I would like to see pics of a five inch TT on a 4x4 that still works, and by works i mean the CV joints dont bind up so much that you can not drive it. I would also like to know where you got the new key.