View Poll Results: should i lift it or not?
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93 ford explorer
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93 ford explorer
looking for some advice on whether or not to lift my 93 ford explorer. it has 142,000 miles on it, but the engine and transmission seem very sound. no leaks, no engine ticking, seems to run great. has anyone lifting an older vehicle like this on the original engine? if so would you reccomend it??
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From: Phoenix
What are you engine concerns due to a lift kit? Are you assuming bigger tires and gear changes for perfomance? mine - 2.5" front, 4" rear. Motor stock but I did add a bigger MAF, cold air intake and headers...
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update
i was looking for some reassurance before i sand the money into having it done. i don't want to kill it with the change and bigger tires. i had a set back this past weekend after coming back from mudding i noticed my front differential is leaking. i know there isn't a gasket, just a silicone sealant but it's going to be a pain none the less.
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From: Phoenix
My front diff has leaked for years. Not a lot. Everytime I gunk it clean, a month latter it's covered with oil again. Doesn't drip on the ground, just gets oily. I am not looking forward to fixing that one since the entire front end has to come apart. You are right that there is no gasket. The pumpkin mounts into the I-beam and the I-beam is the front cover to the diff.
As far as the motor - if you've got it maintained and it's running right, it'll go a long time. I have 170K on mine and I just put a performance chip in the PCM - custom EFI tuning. I'm not worried at all about any long term negative affects. It's actually running better now with the chip and custom tune.
As far as the motor - if you've got it maintained and it's running right, it'll go a long time. I have 170K on mine and I just put a performance chip in the PCM - custom EFI tuning. I'm not worried at all about any long term negative affects. It's actually running better now with the chip and custom tune.
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diff.
the bad news is my differential is dripping. if i go with the lift i am having new wheel bearings put in at the same time. doing the lift and the wheel bearings, does that require cracking open the differential anyway?? could i have it resealed then??
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From: Phoenix
No. Depends on your lift kit what changes. Mine was just new springs and resultant camber bushings to get the wheels straight up and down again. If you go with a 4" or 6" lift, the kit comes with new springs but also drop brackets for the affected suspension components (i-beam pivot mlunts, radius arm mounts, sway bar links extended...). but you don't have to pull the pumpkin out of the I-beam to do the lift.
But to get the diff out, you have to pull the axels which means pulling the front hubs, wheel bearings and all. So if you are going to pull the diff, that's when you change the bearings since they are already out anyway. At that point, might as well change the ball joints too since it's just another nut to get it off.
Damn, this got me thinking. I might as well do all this this winter too. Since I was going to change the ball joints, wheel bearings and do a brake job. I might as well go all the way and pull the hubs and axels and reseal the diff.
But to get the diff out, you have to pull the axels which means pulling the front hubs, wheel bearings and all. So if you are going to pull the diff, that's when you change the bearings since they are already out anyway. At that point, might as well change the ball joints too since it's just another nut to get it off.
Damn, this got me thinking. I might as well do all this this winter too. Since I was going to change the ball joints, wheel bearings and do a brake job. I might as well go all the way and pull the hubs and axels and reseal the diff.
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hmmm...I guess I'll have to see what the shop is going to rip me to have that done at the same time. If it wasn't actually dripping I would be concerned with it, but I am out off roading with it every weekend. I don't want the front end to bind up on me in the middle of no where! Thanks for your help, I'm sure I'll be checking back in from time to time, so if you have any other thoughts let me know. Thanks again.
OOH. Here's another topic. Is it possible to put the leaf springs on top of the rear axle instead of being under?? i have seen it done a few pick ups to get lift, but I haven't seen it attempted on the Explorer yet.
OOH. Here's another topic. Is it possible to put the leaf springs on top of the rear axle instead of being under?? i have seen it done a few pick ups to get lift, but I haven't seen it attempted on the Explorer yet.
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From: Phoenix
Well for sure keep checking the diff fluid level.
I have seen some posts on spring over conversions - gets about 4". But you have to weld new spring perches on top of the tube and probably make new shock mounting brakets.
Check this site for more ideas. http://www.4x4central.com/
I have seen some posts on spring over conversions - gets about 4". But you have to weld new spring perches on top of the tube and probably make new shock mounting brakets.
Check this site for more ideas. http://www.4x4central.com/
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From: Phoenix
Yeah here's a blurb I found on that page:
Spring over Axle Conversion
I've been running a spring over conversion for three years now with no problems relocating your springs to the top of the axle will give you about 4. 5- 5.5 inches of lift using the stock Explorer leaf springs. I recommend having a new spring perch welded to the axle rather than use the Superlift adapter. The Superlift adapter has been known to be noisy as it shifts forward and back in the stock spring perch. If you have new pads welded to the axle you will also have to make a new lower shock mounting point which can be incorporated into the spring mounting plate.
Spring over Axle Conversion
I've been running a spring over conversion for three years now with no problems relocating your springs to the top of the axle will give you about 4. 5- 5.5 inches of lift using the stock Explorer leaf springs. I recommend having a new spring perch welded to the axle rather than use the Superlift adapter. The Superlift adapter has been known to be noisy as it shifts forward and back in the stock spring perch. If you have new pads welded to the axle you will also have to make a new lower shock mounting point which can be incorporated into the spring mounting plate.
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From: CANADA
I lifted my 91 EX at home in the front drive. put on 31's and all is the same a stock really. just get an allignment done :-)) I even saved a bunch and got my lift fromt he wrecking yards it was still good and by taking it off the truck myself I Took pics all over so I had reference points when doin it to my truck. dont forget the spacers to drop the transer case lol
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From: Phoenix
What are you a Jeep guy or something?
Good point though is to watch the brake lines on top of the rear diff. A 2" lift is OK but when I wen 4" I had to add a spacer to not strech the flex line too much. Same might be the case on the front if you go 4" there too.
Good point though is to watch the brake lines on top of the rear diff. A 2" lift is OK but when I wen 4" I had to add a spacer to not strech the flex line too much. Same might be the case on the front if you go 4" there too.