Why does God hate 2002 Sports?

[Thermobulk]

The only damn BL Kit I can find that's even CLOSE is for a Ranger.

Does anyone know if the PA 883 will fit a 2002 2dr 4x4 Sport?

Guy at Performance Accessories says he's heard that people are using it for explorers, but can't tell me much more than that.

My plans:

AAL & Rearc for level + 1" of rake (200lb dog)
3" BL
Procomp Shocks all around
33" TOC MT's
Greasable Moog lower BJ's
Just got the off road lights on last night

 

[Thermobulk]

And then...

Someone at 4x4parts said that I should 'go look under my truck', because it's a 'unibody' and simply can't be body lifted.

That doesn't even make sense.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ignore who told you that, your truck should be virtually identical to a 99-04ish Sport Explorer. The front body and brakes may differ a little, interior parts etc, but the chassis and frame is the same going back to the 95 first cousin Sport Explorer.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Someone at 4x4parts said that I should 'go look under my truck', because it's a 'unibody' and simply can't be body lifted.

That doesn't even make sense.

That applies to HEEP Cherokee & Grand Cherokee.
Not Explorers. What a bunch of dumb *****.

And yes the PA883 is the one you will want.

 

[Thermobulk]

Dumb *****! Yes!

Thanks, that's what I thought. He said you can't even separate the frame from the body with the Sport models. Stupid head.:thumbdwn:

Ok, I'm going to order the PA 883...and it looks like it should be FAIRLY smooth sailing...

 

[Thermobulk]

Dumb *****! Yes!

Thanks, that's what I thought. He said you can't even separate the frame from the body with the Sport models. Stupid head.:thumbdwn:

Ok, I'm going to order the PA 883...and it looks like it should be FAIRLY smooth sailing...

This is important to me because for the Holy Grail of off-roading - clearance vs. wheelbase, apparently the best medium is 100 inches.

Stock Sports come in at 101 inches.

 

[exsport1211]

i have an 02 sport also the sport trac body lift fits but has two blocks leftover

 

[Thermobulk]

Interesting...what kit did you use? Apparently the issues people have with the PA 883 kit are:

1)Steering extension
2)Bumper brackets

 

[ramren16]

i will be installingthe sport trac kit on mine as far as i have come up with and asked around is there is no problem with the front bumper is it is the same as the sports i have even heard the rear bumbers brackets work to for me i would rather spend the extra money and get something that doesnt have to be modified i dont have tools or materials to get the bumper brackets fabed up bolt on is what i always go for

 

[99ex22]

Here is a link on how to install it on a 2001 sport so this will probably be perfect for you....
http://mudmarine.tripod.com/3bodyliftinstall/index.html
Hope that will help you a little bit.

 

[Mutineer]

Interesting...what kit did you use? Apparently the issues people have with the PA 883 kit are:

1)Steering extension
2)Bumper brackets

EDIT: This is what I did, It may be different on a newer Sport... The kit I used was for a 1st Gen Explorer (91-94) I thought the part number was PA883 though... EDIT: Part number on mine was a 793...

I used the Performance Accessories Kit on mine and yes

1. I took out the TMH part... dont see you putting those on a 4L...lol
2. No Bumper brackets (that fit)
3. The body bolts are different. I had to go get bolts to work for mine... Ill see if I can get measurement and thread pitch for you...But I just took all the bolts and matched them up with ones that were 3" longer. Each bolt is a different length so make sure you dont generalize your measurements.
4. There is also an issue with one of the brackets on which the wiring harness for the engine is on attached to the firewall... but I was able to "modify" it enough to work...
5. OH! and dont forget the re-positioning of the fan shroud! I just installed electric fans, but if you dont want to do that, look at making some brackets for that too cuz the ones in the kit dont work...

I ended up leaving off the front bumper, chopping the frame on the front and welding on a Westin Bull Bar...It worked great after I protected the AC condenser, but it didnt look as nice as if I had brackets and such... but then I wasnt going for "pretty... :

I welded in a bumper bracket from a 96 Dodge 1500's bumber for the rear and used it to tow and extract, but again it wasnt pretty.

This is with the TT, RR Shackles, BL and 33" BFG's.:

Im sorry but I had to: I just love these pics... (some motivation for you )

Its worth it if you got the patience and skills to square it all away, but dont expect a quick 1 day install, my truck was down for a week when I did it and it was my daily driver...

Word to the wise, not discouragement, and DONT FORGET THE PICS!

Remember tthat to run 33's you will have to trim the fenders and the pinch weld behind them. You will need a TT (dont forget the longer shocks or shock exenders)and a Spring over or shackles in the rear.

I wasnt a member back when I did mine so I dont have any pics or threads for that but Im sure someone does...



I felt the same way you do when I went out to start the mods...We are very lacking in representation in the aftermarket.

THATS WHAT FABRICATION IS FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this helps you out somehow, if not I was just rambling again...

Good Luck! :biggthump:

 

[99ex22]

All the brackets and bolts in the 883 kit worked perfectly fine. radiator was a breeze, steering extension was a breeze. everything went smoothly except I had to use the factory bolts out of the very rear of the cargo area for the mounts driectly behind the 2 front seats and the rear bumper brackets I had to turn upside down and switch sides. took me 14 hours to do by myself in my driveway with only basic tools.

 

[99ex22]

Also the 1st gen 3" body lift part number is 793.....883 is for the 98-00 ranger/explorer. Thats probably why yours was so difficult mutineer because the 883 kit comes with everything you need. Not 100% about for the sport but im pretty darn sure.

 

[Mutineer]

All the brackets and bolts in the 883 kit worked perfectly fine. radiator was a breeze, steering extension was a breeze. everything went smoothly except I had to use the factory bolts out of the very rear of the cargo area for the mounts driectly behind the 2 front seats and the rear bumper brackets I had to turn upside down and switch sides. took me 14 hours to do by myself in my driveway with only basic tools.

Yeah I remember that about the rear bolts tot he front behind the seats...

Did you use the supplied extension for the steering? the one I had was still too short... so I just welded in the ext. I have.

Guess I wasnt patient enough to find flipping the brackets...lol but I wanted to get rid of the rear bumper anyway...

Most of the week in the driveway was from needing bolts and figuring out the fan install and such...

the shroud was still a bit low afterwards and hit the fan under load...

But then I have the 5.0 also so... Glad to hear it doesnt have to be as difficult as it was for me... I wish I had been on here when I did it. maybe it wouldn't have been :biggthump:

 

[Mutineer]

Also the 1st gen 3" body lift part number is 793.....883 is for the 98-00 ranger/explorer. Thats probably why yours was so difficult mutineer because the 883 kit comes with everything you need. Not 100% about for the sport but im pretty darn sure.

I guess I was off on the number then... it was 2005 when I did it. Matter of fact thats the reason I found and joined this board. its been great ever since, always someone to help you or let you know your jacked up and how to fix it...lol oh well I hope all my B.S. helped anyway

thats good, Im glad it wont be so hard for others

 

[wrigley_1285]

summit also sells their brand of body lifts for less than a PA. i talked to someone at summit they said the only difference is the box that it comes in.

i know i've kind of been whoring out summit but i want to see if i can get some one else to use it before i do mine.

 

[99ex22]

Yeah I remember that about the rear bolts tot he front behind the seats...

Did you use the supplied extension for the steering? the one I had was still too short... so I just welded in the ext. I have.

Guess I wasnt patient enough to find flipping the brackets...lol but I wanted to get rid of the rear bumper anyway...

Most of the week in the driveway was from needing bolts and figuring out the fan install and such...

the shroud was still a bit low afterwards and hit the fan under load...

But then I have the 5.0 also so... Glad to hear it doesnt have to be as difficult as it was for me... I wish I had been on here when I did it. maybe it wouldn't have been :biggthump:

Yeah I used the supplied extension-wasnt a problem. yeah If I wasnt a member on here my truck would probably still be in pieces from when I started the body lift in oct. But luckily I found a member on here that was nice enough to pretty much walk me through it. Anyway I was able to get it finished in 1 day with his help.

 

[Thermobulk]

Holy Crap Guys...

Mutineer, 99ex22, wrigley_1285, exsport1211, Dan Whitaker and CDW6212R.

Huge. Thanks for all of your help.

Interestingly, my front end sits pretty high stock. The rear is a little bagged out though, so my re-arc and AAL this saturday will (level + 1") sort that out.

My front has never been TT'd...I bet if I do an inch of TT and get the re-arc and AAL + 2" - 2½" plus the BL, I'll clear 33's without rubbing (and even if they do, I'm happy to carve some of that nasty grey plastic out of there).
The dog's the most high maintainance car alarm $$ can buy, but he's worth it
Side view of saggy rear

200 lb car alarm

First light set up

eventual light set up

 

[99ex22]

shackles and aal will take care of that sag. Most sport members on here swap the mono leaf springs out of the sport and put the 4dr leafs on.

 

[uefear]

Prepare for a very stiff ride. I underestimated the stiffness.