Lifting a Explorer
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba Canada
Lifting a Explorer
Searched around seems they dont make much for lifts for explorer's seen guys are running 3'' body lifts off Rangers and also found they make torsion keys. Was wondering if you have or no anybody with a explorer preferable a 3rd gen 2001-2005 explorer sport or 4-door with any kind lift let me no what you have done. Would a susp lift for a sport trac work on a explorer ? thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
3rd Gen would be 2002+
Those vehicles are Ind. Front & Rear Susp. Lifting one takes some creativity. A body lift can be made to fit, as adapted from the Ranger.
Strut spacers are your other option, but they will only gain you 2" of lift. BTF Fabrication and TRUXXX make spacers for these years. Check them out online
A true suspension lift hasn't been developed for these yet due to low demand and the need for some serious fab. Plus you have to lift the vehicle 6-8" just to get the axle half shafts under the frame and you're still limited on flex.
As for the 2dr Sport. The Sport retained a solid rear axle throughout its life. It uses the same kits as the 95-01 4 doors.
The Sport Trac was a solid axle from the start until 2006 IIRC. It then went to an IRS after that.
Those vehicles are Ind. Front & Rear Susp. Lifting one takes some creativity. A body lift can be made to fit, as adapted from the Ranger.
Strut spacers are your other option, but they will only gain you 2" of lift. BTF Fabrication and TRUXXX make spacers for these years. Check them out online
A true suspension lift hasn't been developed for these yet due to low demand and the need for some serious fab. Plus you have to lift the vehicle 6-8" just to get the axle half shafts under the frame and you're still limited on flex.
As for the 2dr Sport. The Sport retained a solid rear axle throughout its life. It uses the same kits as the 95-01 4 doors.
The Sport Trac was a solid axle from the start until 2006 IIRC. It then went to an IRS after that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 62
From: Raytown MO
Superlift makes one and runs for 1996-2001 4 door and later for the Sport and Sportrac and runs $2000 US. Then there is the Dixon Brothers that replaces the front torsion bars with coil overs, all new longer upper & lower control arms and I believe knew steering knuckles too. It requires some welding and runs around $6000 US.
Torsion keys are a waste of money. You can twist the bars and gain about 1-1/2 front lift ad only coat an alignment. For the rear you use Warrior shackles and an add-a-leaf. This allows for a 32" max tire. Anything bigger and you have to do a body lift or break out the sawzall and start cutting.
Torsion keys are a waste of money. You can twist the bars and gain about 1-1/2 front lift ad only coat an alignment. For the rear you use Warrior shackles and an add-a-leaf. This allows for a 32" max tire. Anything bigger and you have to do a body lift or break out the sawzall and start cutting.
New User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: North Ogden, UT
Searched around seems they dont make much for lifts for explorer's seen guys are running 3'' body lifts off Rangers and also found they make torsion keys. Was wondering if you have or no anybody with a explorer preferable a 3rd gen 2001-2005 explorer sport or 4-door with any kind lift let me no what you have done. Would a susp lift for a sport trac work on a explorer ? thanks
A lot of the guys I know run a body lift 1.5" or 3" with a strut spacer from BTF. Me, I'm currently working on getting a 1.5" body lift on and eventually a 1.5" spacer in the front and 1.25" in the rear.
--BTF actually is trying work on a upper control arm replacement to create a longer traveling suspension on the front, but they need a test vehicle first to create the designs.
--You don't want to go over a 2.25" spacer in the front as that will cause too much stress on the upper ball joint. A limiting strap is suggested as at full droop the upper control arm will hit into the spindle, and at full droop the ball joint will be under a tremendous amount of stress and may rip out (which very rarely has happened). On the rear a limiting strap maybe necessary as at full droop the axle shaft may hit into the frame loop and cause scoring on the axle shaft.
Hope this helps,
Nate
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
relli843
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jan 24, 2016 08:44 AM
Explorer Freak
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jan 10, 2011 10:45 PM
Brown Beast
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jul 29, 2005 08:14 AM
