Budget lowering kit

[bathtub.toaster]

I've got a 98 4-cylinder that I've been fixing up for a little while. I've upgraded a few odds and ends to get the truck running with a bit more pep, it runs really well but cuts corners like, well, a truck. I'm looking into changing out the suspension and overall lowering the truck for better handling. I'm not looking for anything extravagant, I just want some decent budget recommendations.
Looking for a kit that's 2" off the front and about 4" off the rear, also some tips on widening the stance a bit.

 

[superj]

The back is free to lower if you drill the rivets golding the rear spring hangers and then flip them over and bolt back in place. I did that already to my 04.

You have coil springs so you will have to lowering springs for the front, or cut a loop off at a time to get to the height you want. That

 

[JoshT]

Shackle flip is cheap if you have the tools, but it isn't free because you still have to buy the hardware to reattach the hangers. Problem with shackle flip for OP is that it is only going to get you about 2" in the rear suspension.

To get 4" on a budget, the cheapest answer if you have the tools (grinder, welder, and angle finder) is to remove the spring perches, relocate the axle over the spring, weld the perches back on. Instead of doing all of that, your best budget option will probably be a set of axle flip brackets from Amazon or eBay. That will get 4-5" drop, then install a longer shackle to raise it back up some if needed.

Front, 2" drop springs. You can try cutting stock springs, but usually results in pro ride quality. If you want to try cutting, only do about a quarter coil at a time and drive between to let it settle, don't try to cut more than 2".

A 2/4 drop can probably be aligned with stock control arms, but you will likely need camber adjusters in the front. You'll definitely want an alignment after, so it'd go ahead and install them while changing the springs.

You may need/want shorter shocks as well. That should be in range of stock shocks, but still be more likely to bottom out and cause a harsh ride.

I know you are looking for budget, but DJM probably had a drop kit for this. Will have everything you need (except the adjusters) and be better quality parts than you are likely to piece together from Amazon or eBay. Might be a little more expensive, but might also be worth it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, if your truck doesn’t have a rear sway bar, I’d put one in. If it doesn’t have a front one, you need one. If it does have one, you need a better one. 98-01 Explorer front sway bar is a bolt-on upgrade. Traction bars on the back axle help too.