Why no late model lifts?

[RUNNER]

I installed a PA body lift on my 91 explorer and did not use the steering extention and have not had any problem on/off road

 

[RUNNER]

3" lift.

 

[thunderhorse]

Okay guys I found a place in southern Califorina to get a 4" lift on the 95+ explorer the company is, CMS (CUSTOM MOTORSPORTS)it's located in the city of Riverside north of the 91 freeway between McKinley and Magnolia ave.s. They say they don't realy have a kit but they have done several of these lifts. Cost is about $2000 installed Phone # 909-549-1740 fax # 909-549-9157.
Address is 12152 Severn Way, Riverside Ca 92503
If you try this shop please let me know how customer frienly they are, so far they have been very helpful.

 

[Cameron]

I to am interested in a lift kit for my ’97 Sport. I have searched many manufactures and all I could find was cheap body lift kits not true suspension lifts.

 

[ExplorGM]

Rick,
How about a "Forum" specifically for Late Model Lifts"? It seems that there are new members inquiring about the topic all over the message board that are unaware of this thread. If they all replied to the same forum, you would have a much better list to present to the lift manufacturers in the quest for a late model lift. Also... Three of us have posted procedures for the torsion lift in various places that together might be more helpful to everyone in one forum.
Thanks again for a great Explorer Site!

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RickG
95 Explorer Sport Expedition

 

[Keith]

I think what we should do is e-mail these companies and tell them to come and look at this page. Then they can see what we are saying.

 

[JASONESQUIVEL]

I just called SUPERLIFT 1 800 551-4955 today, My response was "not enough interest" as for the Ranger mod, Terry said the knuckles are different. The bottom line is, they do not have any plans for a lift. He also said they did not sell enough of the older Explorer lifts and that is another reason why they are not even considering a 95+ lift.

All this madness should also be sent to :
TUFF COUNTRY
RANCHO
trail master
SKYJACKER
PRO COMP
DICK CEPEK
Genuine SUSPENSION
DOWNEY
ROUGH COUNTRY
FABTECH (FOR THE 2WD EXPLORER)

How can I help???

 

[mav]

Thanks to thunderhorse for the info on CMS he posted on 4-19-99. I have a '99 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4x4 and I'm dying to get a lift kit. I get pissed off every time I pull up next to a lifted Jeep Grand Charokee or Chevy Tahoe. I called every place I could think of, and no one had a lift kit. The best selling SUV, and no lift kit. The stock ground clearance of 7" and 31" tire size limit really hampers an Explorer's ability to get serious off the road. I may luck out because I will be visiting CA in a month. If everything works out, when I get back to TX I will be the only person I know of with a 4" suspension lift along with some 35" BFG A/T's. Wish me luck!

 

[Paul Gagnon]

mav,

you will want more than 4 inches of lift if you plan to run 35s.

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Paul Gagnon
Dead Link Removed

 

[mav]

Paul,
Would I need a 6" lift to run 35" BFG's. I have heard bad things about lifting an Explorer more than 4". If you have a lift on your Explorer how big is it and what size tires are on it. If I am able to but 35" BFG's, how wide of a tire can I get to fit on the stock rim. Since it is a '99 EB it has 16" rims with 255/75/R16 Firestone Wilderness AT's. Also, how bad will it slow me down. I can do 100MPH now with the 255's and a 4.10 rear differential. I have the 4.0L SOHC engine and would like to increase the performance. I was considering a Borla exaust system, a K&N open element air filter, a new throttle body, and a larger mass air sensor. Will this be a noticable improvement?
By the way TRAILMASTER will be making a 4" Suspension Lift Kit for 95+ Explorers. As a matter of fact I talked with John at Trailmaster today, and he said they were currently testing it on the 4dr Explorers. John told me the ETA on the kit was about a month. This is the best news I have heard in a while. We should contact Trailmaster to let them know that there is a demand for this kit. Only then can the Explorer truely live up to its name.

 

[ExplorGM]

Great news from Trailmaster! I have 16x7" stock rims and 32x11.5/16 Mickey Thompson Baja Belted tires on my 95 Sport. With 2" of lift it only rubs at full lock on the sway bar on the driver's side. Good luck with your trip to CA and the lift!
Rick

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RickG
95 Explorer Sport Expedition

 

[GJarrett]

RickG: where did you get the rear shackles to lift the rear 1.5"? I got info on another thread to try James Duff and Con-Ferr but both were no help for a 99 EB. About two inches is all the lift I want for now and I need those shackles for the back before I crank up my torsion bars up front.
Gerald

 

[81WG]

RickG: I like GJarrett would like to do a 2" lift. I'd like to know where to get extended shackles for the rear. I checked mine out and could modify them or fabricate some replacements but if ready made ones can be had I'd probably opt for those. Thanks.

81WG
96XLT

 

[bachelor25]

In response to the last couple posts:

You can always do what I did on my '96. Took it to a suspension shop where they re-arched and added a helper leaf to the stock rear leaf pack. Gained 2.5" and almost 2" front from the torsion-bar adjustment. Ride is firmer and handling is much improved. Also my load carrying capacity is much higher.

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Cheers,

Andrew B.
1996 Ford Explorer 4x4 (slightly modified)
BC, Canada

 

[GJarrett]

Yep, I'm aware of that option too, but I just want the shackles since the ride is already plenty firm on my '99 as is, and I have no desire to add a leaf or do anything else that would stiffen it more. So I'm just looking for the simple solution of shackles to raise the back up. Can ANYONE help with knowledge of a source?

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 05-11-99).]

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 05-11-99).]

 

[ExplorGM]

GJarrett, & 81WG,
Just head down to your local auto parts store and pick up a generic shackle lift kit. The type that they sell for "muscle cars". The ones that I found fit outside my stock shackles and then I had them tack welded together for strength and rigidity. They cost about $25.00 for the pair and the welder did the tack for a 6 pack! They are just as rigid as my Con-Ferrs on my jeep. They are powder coated gloss black and match my truck's colors. For a picture of my truck with the new Mickey Thompson's and also of my matching lifted WWII trailer, go to Dead Link Removed
I have 4 pages with several pictures. The publishing process has been sketchy so hopefully soon I'll have a complete description of the lift process with part numbers and some clearance pictures showing the tires closeup. For now, there are some holes in the pages!
I'd love to get a picture of my truck on Rick H's site!? How about it?
Rick


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RickG
95 Explorer Sport Expedition

 

[ExplorGM]

Another picture at Dead Link Removed

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RickG
95 Explorer Sport Expedition

 

[Parker]

Rick, Thanks for the pics. That's the inspiration I needed. Great lookin' truck!
Those web sites can be a pain! Keep up the good work.

 

[Rick]

I would be glad to put your Explorer on this site. Any chance I could get some Hi-res photos to go along with the small shots? It;s nice to be able to see the details. Also try and get some shots on the trail.

Thanks,
Rick

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
www.4x4central.com

 

[felsmann]

Has anyone had any experience with the above mentioned Company? (Custom Motor Sports) They said it is about $1800 for a 4" Lift kit on my '97 Sport 4x4. They said that the lift is made by themselves. I just want to make sure this is a good kit and it's worth my $$.

Thanks!