Why wouldnt this work???

[diego]

How different is the suspension on the 1997 compared to the 1999 to 2003
Why wouldn't these work for the 1997 2wd explorer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Li...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[gijoecam]

I'm not entirely sure they'll work on any Explorer. The ones as pictured appear to be designed to accept the hub assembly from a 4x4, but the 2wd 2nd-gen Explorers while the 2WD Explorers use a conventional spindle firmly attached to the knuckle. Unless there are some extra parts needed that they're not telling you about, I don't see how they would work.

 

[diego]

Well thats what I was wondering but if you look at the sellers other items for lift spindles they show the same pic as if they dont post the actual picture

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lift...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

-and-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lift...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

EF member thegaffney posted his write up on his X here

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249108&page=2

Check out post #32... I assume these are the same spindles?
and post #42 the picture of the spindle

I was just not sure if the design of the spindle changed between 97 and 99 really...I doubt it did though

 

[IZwack]

I'd ask the seller for a picture of the actual product.

 

[diego]

Good idea I asked them if they knew if it was the same for a 97 and they had no clue. I will ask for a photo and will post it up here

 

[diego]

Will these spindles work?

http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/products/sfID1/4/sfID2/960/sfID3/963/productID/40558

Well I have waited a few days now and heard no reply from the guy on ebay, but I did find these and I am pretty sure they will work after hearing ranger edge and 2nd gens have the same suspension. Any input would help a lot thanks

About a year ago I order ranger spindles but it turned out the guy selling them didnt know what he was talking about and told me they were for ranger edge but they were not and he wouldnt let me send them back...I am just trying to make sure I dont put my self in the same situation.

 

[bcburlette]

I used these spindles on my sport:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-9...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

however I had to downsize brake rotors for them to fit properly.

 

[diego]

Hmmm... I thought about it but I think it would just be cheaper to by edge spindles since the rotors are the same size.

The same ebay seller has this item

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-0...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

But the blocks are useless to us unless we did a SOA in the rear and what is killing me it always says 99-03 explorer. I have a 97 and I can seem to see what the difference is in the 96-98 as compared to the 99 and up????

Only thing I can think is liability reasons???? The whole Firestone thing???? Or just never tested on those year... Im lost

 

[bcburlette]

I have used edge spindles on my ex before(reason here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243223 )
my brothers 01 edge spindles had smaller rotors than my 01 sport.
however, I believe that the difference may with your 97, very well may be that it uses the smaller rotors, so I would say go for it, if you have a problem you can always put them back on ebay...

 

[diego]

So edges use smaller rotors too??? I thought edge was the same as the explorer and regular rangers had the smaller ones, reason for having to get smaller rotors.

What would you recommend doing? I just was hoping to buy some spindles that just bolt right on with no changes except maybe longer brake lines.

 

[bcburlette]

My sport had larger rotors than an edge from the same year, that's all I can be sure of. But if you are set on doing this lift than I would say, just buy the spindles and see if they fit, if the rotors are too big go to the junkyard/auto zone and pick up some new ones. rotors usually don't wear the way pads do and your probably fine with used(at least I am), and your existing caliper/bracket setup wont need to be changed, the biggest risk is that you will have the wrong size rotor.

(If possible I would take your old rotor with you when you get new ones, to make sure the new ones are smaller, if not than take measurements. I believe they only made 2 sizes on explorers)

 

[77'cj7]

Sports and sport trac's have larger front rotors than other ex's and rangers, at least in the 99-01 era.

 

[diego]

Yeah I just have a regular 4 door 97 X. Im just looking around till I find the right info since I only have so much money put away for this project and want to squeeze as much as I can in...buying new rotors is just one extra thing i am looking to avoid buying. So mainly I just want to buy spindles that I can just bolt right on, grab some shackles and maybe....maybe some tires, but i have new 31s just dont know how weird they would look with a 3" spindle lift

 

[bcburlette]

well you can probably fit 31s with just TT and shackles, and it wouldnt look bad, here is a pic of mine with 5 inches of suspension lift and 31 mud tires(I would have gone bigger but we already had these laying around):



so judging from this pic, it would probably look fine with 31s on 2-3 inches of lift, at least IMO.

 

[diego]

Thanks for the help bcburlette

Well I am saying I dont know how weird it will look if I throw spindles and shackles on and keep the 31s I have right now. I bought 31s a few months ago and get did a slight TT to clear them but I want to have more clearance, reason for shackles and spindles. I thought about a BL but I hate the gap plus it would just be easier IMO to steer away from a BL.

If anyone has done spindles and havent replaced their rotors could you please post the site you purchased them, not fabtech im on a small budget hoping to stay in the area or 250 to 350 for spindles and 50 to 80 on shackles. I was also looking at 2in spacers for the front and new shocks all the way around but have that all picked out already. Just so hard to find info on the spindles because when I search on the EF all the links are no longer available to view.