Build (or Have Built) a Lift Kit? Maximum Height?
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2024
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Build (or Have Built) a Lift Kit? Maximum Height?
Hello,
I bought this lift kit, but the inch measurements confused me. I thought the 3.5" and 2.5" referred to the lift height, but they were actually the diameters of the spacers.
Now I want to have a lift kit built. I already have a template. What do you think—how high could the lift kit be without causing issues? What potential problems could arise?
Thanks a lot.
Best regards,
Lexenlewax
I bought this lift kit, but the inch measurements confused me. I thought the 3.5" and 2.5" referred to the lift height, but they were actually the diameters of the spacers.
Now I want to have a lift kit built. I already have a template. What do you think—how high could the lift kit be without causing issues? What potential problems could arise?
Thanks a lot.
Best regards,
Lexenlewax
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
Not sure what you bought, but 2.5" - 3" is pretty much the highest you'll find on the market because of the independent front and rear suspensions. The lift is usually achieved by bolting a spacer to the top of the strut assembly. Years ago there was a company named Rize Industries that sold an 8" lift kit for 03-06 Expeditions. It was very expensive and very involved, many pieces. If you want to go higher than what's commonly available, then you'll have to get a custom build similar to what Rize offered and that would be very expensive. It would actually probably be cheaper and more reliable to swap to solid axles front and rear with a custom lift. The challenge then would be what to do about steering because the rack and pinion would no longer work.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Not sure what you bought, but 2.5" - 3" is pretty much the highest you'll find on the market because of the independent front and rear suspensions. The lift is usually achieved by bolting a spacer to the top of the strut assembly. Years ago there was a company named Rize Industries that sold an 8" lift kit for 03-06 Expeditions. It was very expensive and very involved, many pieces. If you want to go higher than what's commonly available, then you'll have to get a custom build similar to what Rize offered and that would be very expensive. It would actually probably be cheaper and more reliable to swap to solid axles front and rear with a custom lift. The challenge then would be what to do about steering because the rack and pinion would no longer work.
Thanks.
Lexenlewax
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
The discription was 2.5" and 3.5". But it was referring on the diameter and not on the additional hights. In fact, I would gain only 1.8". Now I want let built some for me and would like to know, what is the technicla max I can go for? Also, who has experience with a 3 oder 4" lift kit? How is the behavior on the highway?
Thanks.
Lexenlewax
Thanks.
Lexenlewax
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Due to the suspension geometry, the spacers will be shorter than the lift they provide. I'm sure what you bought is correct to give 3.5" front lift and 2.5" rear lift. The truck body will sit level, but if you look at the gap between the wheel well and the tire, the front will look higher than the rear. I didn't like that look on my Expy, so I added a custom 1/4" spacer to my rear suspension to level the gap. I've also added Rancho Quicklift struts that advertise 1"lift, so I guess I have 4" lift total. I get some interesting bump steer on the highway at 80 MPH, but I think that's primarily due to some other worn out steering and suspension parts. With 180k miles, the steering rack is definitely ready for replacement. I can't remember the last time I replaced the tie rod ends, but they're ready again too. I've had mine lifted for over a decade. Overall, I'm happy with how it rides and drives, but suspension and steering parts do wear out quicker. You can not go higher than this without doing an expensive complicated lift like the Rize lift.
Thank you!
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Will Chiello
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