Blacksheep Josh
Slinky+Escalator=Fun
- Joined
- July 31, 2006
- Messages
- 3,659
- Reaction score
- 15
- City, State
- Statesboro, GA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01 Ford Ranger, RIP 93 X
Okay, well... the time has come. I will soon be entering the world of the lifted.
I am not speaking of "Thunder", or my current Explorer, in fact, I don't even own the Explorer I'm planning on lifting. This thread is merely to iron out questions and get the planning underway. So here's what's up:
I've decided that I'm tired of being one dimensional, meaning just the 'lower' end of suspension. Yes that is a pun, and yes I just "LOL"ed at myself for it. So come Spring, I'm going to buy, yes BUY, a 4x4 Explorer and lift it. It will pretty much be the opposite of my Explorer now. Meaning nothing stock and out of this world.
What my goals with this project are:
1. Be able to still drive on the road, meaning either as a daily driver, and keep it road legal, at least in Georgia, North/South Carolina, and Virginia. I understand that a lot of SUVs are technically breaking the law, but I'd like to stay within as much as possible. But depending on what it is I might break it. Like I'm sure a cop isn't going to pull me over for being 6" lifted instead of legal 4" for instance. Minor/un noticeable stuff really...
2. This truck will mainly stay at my Dad's place so he can use it to haul stuff back and forth, meaning a light trailer for pine straw or backyard stuff, heaviest being a riding lawn mower. He owns a Jaguar, and my Stepmom drives a Lexus SUV, so both are impractical for trips to and from Home Depot and Lowes.
3. Be able to do some light offroading with this. I'd like to go out to the mudpits and not struggle to much, but I"m not expecting to be the best. Mudpits to me are just big puddles, not the behemoths you guys take on.
So in short, I want it to be a daily driver if need be (mostly Home Depot trips and short trips, like up to McDonalds and back), be able to offroad a little, mostly mild/medium type stuff (like offroad camping trips). I just want a vehicle that's meant for messing around in... I'm not expecting it to be a gas sipper, but I'd like to get a solid 14-15 miles per gallon if possible.
So this is what I know I want...
-31" tires (at the minimum), I'll probably keep the stock rim, I actually like how they look. Possible beadlock, but not sure if I really NEED them.
-302 V8 conversion. I figure with the lifts I'm installing I shoudl have room. I have no problem losing A/C, as long as I can keep the heater.
-Maybe a SAS, but not sure. I'm still reading up on the SAS's that've been done.
-I'll most likely do a SOA, as it's cheapest and fastest for the rear. Along with the F-150 leaf swap.
So the reason I'm posting? I want to know what works and what doesn't pretty much. Do you know of a lift that doesn't work so well? Or a lift that does work well? Any pointers for a first time "lifter"?
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading everything, and thanks, it means a lot to me. I know it's a lot of information at once, but those that do read it this far will be those that help me out the most. I'm new to lifting, but I hope to keep everything contained in one thread instead of a bunch.
-Josh
I am not speaking of "Thunder", or my current Explorer, in fact, I don't even own the Explorer I'm planning on lifting. This thread is merely to iron out questions and get the planning underway. So here's what's up:
I've decided that I'm tired of being one dimensional, meaning just the 'lower' end of suspension. Yes that is a pun, and yes I just "LOL"ed at myself for it. So come Spring, I'm going to buy, yes BUY, a 4x4 Explorer and lift it. It will pretty much be the opposite of my Explorer now. Meaning nothing stock and out of this world.
What my goals with this project are:
1. Be able to still drive on the road, meaning either as a daily driver, and keep it road legal, at least in Georgia, North/South Carolina, and Virginia. I understand that a lot of SUVs are technically breaking the law, but I'd like to stay within as much as possible. But depending on what it is I might break it. Like I'm sure a cop isn't going to pull me over for being 6" lifted instead of legal 4" for instance. Minor/un noticeable stuff really...
2. This truck will mainly stay at my Dad's place so he can use it to haul stuff back and forth, meaning a light trailer for pine straw or backyard stuff, heaviest being a riding lawn mower. He owns a Jaguar, and my Stepmom drives a Lexus SUV, so both are impractical for trips to and from Home Depot and Lowes.
3. Be able to do some light offroading with this. I'd like to go out to the mudpits and not struggle to much, but I"m not expecting to be the best. Mudpits to me are just big puddles, not the behemoths you guys take on.
So in short, I want it to be a daily driver if need be (mostly Home Depot trips and short trips, like up to McDonalds and back), be able to offroad a little, mostly mild/medium type stuff (like offroad camping trips). I just want a vehicle that's meant for messing around in... I'm not expecting it to be a gas sipper, but I'd like to get a solid 14-15 miles per gallon if possible.
So this is what I know I want...
-31" tires (at the minimum), I'll probably keep the stock rim, I actually like how they look. Possible beadlock, but not sure if I really NEED them.
-302 V8 conversion. I figure with the lifts I'm installing I shoudl have room. I have no problem losing A/C, as long as I can keep the heater.
-Maybe a SAS, but not sure. I'm still reading up on the SAS's that've been done.
-I'll most likely do a SOA, as it's cheapest and fastest for the rear. Along with the F-150 leaf swap.
So the reason I'm posting? I want to know what works and what doesn't pretty much. Do you know of a lift that doesn't work so well? Or a lift that does work well? Any pointers for a first time "lifter"?
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading everything, and thanks, it means a lot to me. I know it's a lot of information at once, but those that do read it this far will be those that help me out the most. I'm new to lifting, but I hope to keep everything contained in one thread instead of a bunch.
-Josh