Why No LIFT for 1997 Explorers????

[97X]

Does anyone have a 4" superlift on their 95-97?
I have a 97 Sport and I am either going with a 3" BL or the superlift. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each? Any sugestions of which one to go with?

 

[Texplorer]

If you can afford it go with the superlift. Suspension lifts are always better, always more expensive but better.

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by 97X
Does anyone have a 4" superlift on their 95-97?
I have a 97 Sport and I am either going with a 3" BL or the superlift. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each? Any sugestions of which one to go with?

Yes. I used to so check out the 97 Sport link in my sig, search for lift and SSIKORA (he is a user here he has the superlift on now)

 

[97X]

Is a replacement front drive shaft required for the superlift? (I haven"t found a yes or no answer)

I also read somewhere that some brackets for the torsion bar are required (they are not included with the kit), is that true?

Also today my 4WD High and 4WD Low lights on the gauges started blinking on and off (when it is on 4WD Auto), no lights come on when it is in 4WD High, and it won't even engauge into 4WD Low. Any suggestions? I hope I don't have to spend the lift money on fixing the 4WD.

 

[taxx]

As for your 4lo problem I would put money on it being the shift motor or a connection to it.

For the torsion bar parts YES. On a 97 or earlier you need a torsion bar isolator for each side. When you go to ford fr it tell them it is for a 98 or they will never fid it. The part number may be in the writup in my sig. i can't stress enough that you read my writup. I am no expert but it highlights the problems I ran into and can save you some time. For the shaft, probably on a 97. On SSIKORAs 95 we were able to use the stock shaft, but it was longer than the 97 stock shaft and had a double caradine joint, looked just like the superlif tshaft. I would not recomend runnignt eh stock 97 shaft with it. THe flange at the t-case sucksand is weak. But don't buy the $400 superlift one, got to a pro shaft shop and have them modify yours.

 

[97X]

taxxman2k,

I've read your write up about 4 times today. It has given me more info than anything else. I'll have to take it to the ford garage and have them look at it b/c i dont have the time. (I hate not doing it myself)

BTW, is there any offroad shops around Indy.? I am working in Warsaw for a little bit, and I would rather see what I am going to buy before I fork over the $.

 

[taxx]

Yes 4 wheel parts is on the east side

But I doubt they have one in stock. If you are north. PM SSIKORA, maybe you can hook up with him and take a look at it installed. Just a thought.

 

[97X]

Ok the 4WD is fixed. Took about 15 min. to do it myself. I've decided, for now, that I am just going to go with a 3" BL, shackels, TT, and new rims and tires. I just can't drop the $3000+ right now on the 4" lift and rims and tires. The 4" suspension lift will come after summer.

Will 32's on 15x10's fit with the 3" BL, TT, and shackels? Any other suggestions on rims and tires?

 

[Alec]

I would use 15x8 rims with 32s or 33s, and you might be able to fit 33x12.50 with a bit of trimming with 5" of lift.

 

[97X]

Will the 15x10"s with 32's hit when at full turn?

 

[97X]

what do you guys/gals think bout these rims?

http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=2026&occlass=PCW&cat=WHE

 

[taxx]

I think they look good. But work of advice, stay away from polished aluminum if you plan to get this truck dirty. It takes a weekend to get them clean again. If you plan to wheel it get steel rims. Cheap and can be bent back into shape. As for wheel size 15x10s should be ok. The tires will perform better on 10" wide rims off road.

 

[97X]

thanks for the advice, but the rims are going to be for both show and go, so ill probably go with the polished.(i don't mind cleaning)

Also I just want to clarify the parts necessary for the BL.
1) 3" BL for a 95-97 ranger
2) shifter extension for a 95-97 ranger
3) brackets 883-1 and 883-4 could someone tell me what these are. i just read that they were needed
4) some longer bolts, size?

 

[Yomie]

Originally posted by 97X
thanks for the advice, but the rims are going to be for both show and go, so ill probably go with the polished.(i don't mind cleaning)

Also I just want to clarify the parts necessary for the BL.
1) 3" BL for a 95-97 ranger
2) shifter extension for a 95-97 ranger
3) brackets 883-1 and 883-4 could someone tell me what these are. i just read that they were needed
4) some longer bolts, size?

1. since you have a '97 yup
2. Yup, if you ahve a manual (not needed with an auto)
3. Thoes are the front bumper brackets that are needed to raise your front bumper. You have to make the rear ones.
5. It would be harder to find bigger bolts, you'd be better of drilling out the threads on the bushings and buying M12x1.75 nuts for the end of the bolts (thats what i did)

 

[97X]

so thats it?

I plan on taking off the body lift when I get the suspension lift (or sizing it down) so would I be able to go back to stock if I drill out the threads? Are the threads on a part from the kit or are they on a stock part? If it is a stock part can the part be replaced for little $?

Where can I find shackles? I am having trouble finding them online.

 

[taxx]

If you drill out the threads you will be able to go stock but you will have to have longer than stock bolts to be able to get doze nutz on them.

The threads are in the stock body mounts and to replace them all is $$$$ I would just do a search here and youy will find what size bolts you need to track down for the body lift. Don't drill them out.

Also you might find out where to get the shackles by hitting the search button.

 

[97X]

I found the part # for the shackles and had to call 4 wheel parts to order them. I couldn't find a site that had them to order online. So thats taken care of, now to order the BL, rims and tires. I'll probably just order the bolts from McMaster-Carr.