Lifting an Explorer

[WNY964x4]

Ok guys , forgive me if this makes me sound like an idiot , but what is the easiest way to lift an explorer.

i am used to the springs over the axles with the rangers , this spring under axle thing is new to me.

so any advice that you could give me is much appreciated.

thanks alot

[mongoose289]

i would guess add a leafs or maybe shackles

[BlackBII]

Shackles, lift springs, or, you can swap the axle to leaf over, rather than leaf under.

[Sunk]

Shackles, lift springs, or, you can swap the axle to leaf over, rather than leaf under.

Yep. Keep in mind that a spring over should put you at around 7" of lift so plan accordingly for the front... Or you could always pull a leaf out of the packs.

[WNY964x4]

i figures i would want about 6 inches of lift since i want to fit a set of 33's on it , so the spring over swap should work for me , maybe i could get the right height if i put a different set of blocks in when i do the swap , what would be the easiest way for the front , just try and find a set of radius and beam drop brackets ?

[4x4junkie]

Use a Ranger lift for the front (get one with rear blocks or something cheap, you won't be using the rear stuff).

Then swap the rear to SOA using your stock leafs. Should give you closer to 5-6" lift.

[WNY964x4]

Use a Ranger lift for the front (get one with rear blocks or something cheap, you won't be using the rear stuff).

Then swap the rear to SOA using your stock leafs. Should give you closer to 5-6" lift.


ok , i was thinking i could get a ranger 8.8 from a friend of my dads , when i was down there with my ranger , he had , including his cousins ranger , 19 rangers and 2 bronco 2's , plus he has a barn full of parts

[mjonesjr]

swapping in a Ranger 8.8 is a down grade to an Explorer; there are reasons people swap the Explorer 8.8 in their Ranger. The Explorer 8.8 is also wider than a Ranger 8.8.

[Sunk]

Yeah I meant to say 6" of lift... Of course it'll vary a little though I guess.

And while swapping in a Ranger 8.8 would technically be a downgrade, if you don't want to deal with spring perches and shock mounts it's easier. Plus if you get the Ranger rear for cheap, you could the Ex rear to make back some $$.

[mjonesjr]

your amount of lift depends on which perches you get.

If you don't want to mess with the perches, get yourself an axle flip kit; it will work in reverse of the normal way. Then you would only have to weld on shock tabs.

[WNY964x4]

swapping in a Ranger 8.8 is a down grade to an Explorer; there are reasons people swap the Explorer 8.8 in their Ranger. The Explorer 8.8 is also wider than a Ranger 8.8.


well the only part of the ranger axle that would go into the explorer is the casing , the running gear and axleshafts out of my exploder would go into it , and how much wider is the axle

[mjonesjr]

well the only part of the ranger axle that would go into the explorer is the casing , the running gear and axleshafts out of my exploder would go into it , and how much wider is the axle
That won't work. The Explorer parts won't fit in a Ranger housing.

The Explorer axle is about 1.5" wider.

[metalmacguyver]

And the bearings are massive compared to those in the 28 spline housing.

[WNY964x4]

well then i guess i will attempt to put the perches on top , i will wait till christmas break , since i am spending the next 3.5 weeks doing nothing but welding

[bombsquad]

I would juss put bigger coils in the front and add bigger leafs in the rear. I have a 1993 2 door ford explore 4x4, 4.0 v6. its a beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WNY964x4]

well hopefully this truck will be made road legal and if it is done in time , i will drive it to the 10th anniversery , but that is just a hope , i may go with a skyjacker or bds front lift and then just do the spring over axle in the rear

[mjonesjr]

Go with the Skyjacker front, you will be sorry if you go with any other kit.

Remember, you can't just stuff larger coils under the front and be done.

[WNY964x4]

these are pics of the truck as it looks now , the first is of the trucks "good" side , the second is of the interior showin the shifter , and the last is when i trailered it to college
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/Blue00Ranger/1108080805.jpg
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/Blue00Ranger/1108080845a.jpg
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/Blue00Ranger/1108080845.jpg

so hopefully this truck will be getting some new parts and a 6 inch lift , 33 inch mudders , a carr light bar and some other goodies

[Xploda]

I got the skyjacker kit " I KNOW SHOULDNT HAVE BOUGHT IT" lol but mine is huge got 33s rear ext shackles. got the supper runner stearing kit but havent installed got a full width dana 44 now lol woot. im hapy I went with an explorer riding in my buddys bII isnt for me maybe cause he has mastercraft seats you cant adjust lol. but think of it like this 4.0 vs 2.8 I think the xplorer wins huh :P you'll like it change the hubs out and you're game the 4 low is pretty good but I hear we can get teh atlas 2 speed for like 1700

[fordmandan87]

for the soa in the rear use the explorer shock mounts on top of the ranger axle or explorer axle. also you reverse the side that they're on left to right and vice versa now you can still use a stock length shock in the rear and have approx 5.5 in lift

[kerchie1]

for the soa in the rear use the explorer shock mounts on top of the ranger axle or explorer axle. also you reverse the side that they're on left to right and vice versa now you can still use a stock length shock in the rear and have approx 5.5 in lift

This quote just verified a couple of my questions, I had decided to try the shock mounts just as described but was concerned weather or not all would come together as planned, now I know it will. The only other concern is the driveshaft. I'm thinking that with the leaf mounts being in front right where they are that the radius of the swing ought to be just about right to where as the truck lifts and the axle/leafs drop they will also get closer to the trans. I've had a couple of people tell me that it will not work without adapting driveshaft, I still am willing to put money on it to fit just right. Can someone whos actually done the job verify this for me.
Thanks
I have to ad this, What the _____ was ford thinking when they said OK
to production with the springs on bottem? Has to be the stupidest thing I've
ever seen. My shock mounting plate which is also the spring U bolt mounting
plate split dead center of bolt holes from front to back both sides. Needless
to say you know where that left me, Dragging my ass down the frwy till I got stopped thankfully safe. Stupid design. Sorry I had to get that off my chest.
Kerchie1

[fordmandan87]

the sua design was introduced in order to reduce the center of gravity. and i have never heard of that happening that sucks balls, glad to hear your ok