More upgrades to the Explorer!!

[Evan]

I haven't actually done any work yet, as I'm still waiting for all my parts to come in, but I figured I'd start the thread and let you guys know what I'm up to.

I'll be removing my progressive body lift that starts at 3" in the front and goes to 0" in the rear. It's going to be leveled out to a uniform 1.5" all around. Then I'm going to ditch my F-150 spring front for a Superlift 5.5" kit with extended radius arms. I'll be adding Skyjacker Nitro shocks, 4" pitman arm, swaybar disconnects, and SJ stainless brake lines all around. I'm going to add a power steering cooler as well, since the longer pitman arm will tax the steering a bit more.

Should be sitting around 7" for lift then, and flex MUCH better than it does now, as well as drive better on the road. I have a set of Jeep coils I was going to use up front, but decided against it. From searching around it appears that many people have issues with those coils on the road, and this truck gets driven as much as 4 hours one way to the trail.

Brake lines, pitman arm, and shocks were purchased from TRS fab, for some pretty good prices. Thanks Jim!

I bought the 5.5" lift used for only about $400, and the previous owner, mtwheelin, has already done a great job beefing up the weak points on that system.

Pics and progress to follow...

 

[86ford]

someone needs some jeep coils........


86

 

[Combs Customs]

just letting you know. I had the Skyjacker extended lines. 2nd trip out, drooped the passenger front tire, snapped the line right off. Not long enough. Ended up going to a custom line shop, got some lines 32" long now.

 

[Evan]

just letting you know. I had the Skyjacker extended lines. 2nd trip out, drooped the passenger front tire, snapped the line right off. Not long enough. Ended up going to a custom line shop, got some lines 32" long now.

Hmmm. I'll be sure to check the max down-travel on each side and make sure I have enough line.

 

[Combs Customs]

Yea i would. Mine broke 300 miles from home, and i had to drive it with 3 brakes. Almost as much fun as driving 110 miles with just rears, but thats another story.

 

[Todd]

lookin forward to the build!!

 

[swiperfoxx]

Sounds Like Fun!

 

[CheapThrillB2]

awesome look forward to seeing pics of the upgrades or the possibility of seeing the upgrades being used in person

 

[Evan]

F-150 coil vs. 5.5" Superlift coil. 4.5" ZJ springs rear.

Does anybody know the best way to get the balljoint out of the pitman arm, and the pitman arm off the steering gear?

 

[CheapThrillB2]

big hammer or a pickel fork thing on the tie rod and a pitman arm puller on the gear boc for the arm.

 

[Evan]

I beat the crap out of that ball joint....maybe I'll try some heat.

I have a jaw puller, maybe that will work on the pitman arm.

 

[dude772]

they take ALOTof force to get off most times. i suggest paying the $20 to get the proper tool to get the pitman off.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

ACE has cheap gear/bearing pullers. Did me well on my many visits to the junk yard.

 

[Destroyer000]

hit the pitman arm with a hammer sideways.. should pop right off couple good blows as far as removing the arm i would suggest a pitman arm puller so that nothing gets messed up

 

[crawlin91]

I need to get my superlift brackets gussetted like that before they break.

balljoint-use a pickle fork, but it may destroy the boot which only matters if youre reusing it...or try hitting both sides of the pitman arm where it attaches to the balljoint with hammers while pulling on the steering assembly. just use your third arm

pitman arm-get a pitman arm puller, tighten puller till its tough to turn whack pitman arm with a BFH "hammer" where it attaches to steering gearrepeat. 3-4 times should do the trick.
plenty of pb blaster never hurts either