i would like to put a 3" body lift on my explorer. what would i have to do other then just raise it and put the steering extender on??? would i have to move/adjust brake or gas pedals?? what about brake lines? a/c? heat? is it a simple bolt on kind of thing or do i need to modify a lot of things?

suspension lift....much easier...better performance effect as well. and can be made very cheap.

how cheap are we talking? now i know that i have to look past the high center of gravity a little bit because it is an explorer but if i got a suspension lift would that be better for the center of gravity or would a body lift be better?i dont want anything for serious off roading. just something i can go through the trails with after work on a sat. another question how large of tires should i go??

Suspension lift DOES increase the center of gravity a bit more than a bodylift, but the performance gained I think is worth it, even on a not-so-serious wheeler, but will still have a tire on dirt occasionally.

No suspension lift is anywhere near the cost of a bodylift though. The cheapest suspension lift (thats actually GOOD, anyway) is about $500, whereas bodylifts run through the $100 range.

With a 3" lift you can fit a 32x11.50. You MIGHT be able to squeeze a 33x12.50 if you pay careful attention to wheel size & offset.


You might want to ask a Q like this on www.therangerstation.com or www.explorerforum.com. ;)

What year explorer is it? There are a couple cheap suspension lifts for 1st and 2nd gen explorers good for around 2"s. I'd rather have a cheap 2" suspension lift than a 3" body lift.

I've got both on mine... But I don't lift suspensions any more than I have to with the TTB suspension. That is partly why so many people think they suck. Once you lift them, you loose almost all the potential flex. Instead, shoot for travel, and cut away the sheetmetal that gets in the way. Install long shocks and clearance stuff that hits when the axle moves.

Are body lifts the best? Probably not, but in the case of a low-slung vehicle like the 'Sploders, it is probably a good idea.

I have a combination of lift springs, homemade brackets, shock mounts brake lines, AAL, shackles, etc., that are all figured out for good flex, and it works.

http://www.rrorc.com/gallery/data/500/medium/2270waterline.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/2/15014Explorer_Flex_2.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/500/15014Front_flex.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/500/15014Rock_Hill.jpg

its a 94 explorer. if i was to get a 2" suspension would it be a straight bolt on or would i have to get other stuff other then the kit? if i got the 2" how large of tires can i put on it using the origanal wheel. could i raise the inside panel to eliminate rub?

I've got both on mine... But I don't lift suspensions any more than I have to with the TTB suspension. That is partly why so many people think they suck. Once you lift them, you loose almost all the potential flex.


:confused:

You dont loose potential flex when you lift it....you've just got to make sure when you do lift it you lift it right (IE replace stock steering linkage to avoid the massive toe change as seen in your second pic, extend the radius arms, etc....)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/702000-702999/702959_10_full.jpg

While it's not an explorer, it's a damn good example of a TTB rig that is lifted flexing (sorry junkie, but it was the best example I knew of on the web:smokin: ) You can make TTB perform, it just takes some engineering if you're cheap and dont want to bolt on parts.....

A 2" lift isn't going to get you a ton of clearance, but it's a start - the only thing you'll need is longer shocks and an alignment after your done (maybe brake lines as well)....that with a 3" body lift would be a decent start for some mild wheeling

:D What he said ^^^^^^

With a 4" kit, you'll need brake lines (I use F350 Superduty lines -- bolt on and long enough for any lift), and shocks if they don't come with the kit.

You'll also probably need a pitman arm.

About mine -- I live with the steering issues because I mostly see them on the trail at full droop. Otherwise its no big deal -- drives down the road fine. If I continue working on that platform, I'll make some version of the super-runner steering setup, but for now, that's my daily driver. I'b building an SAS Ranger for the big stuff. :D

i just looked on ebay and i found a 2in suspension and a 3in body if i put both on would tht get me to about a mid level trailing with the right tires on it of course.

any ideas?? anybody?

That's all I have in the pictures of mine. You be the judge.

Of course, I also have a few other things besides mere lift to make that truck as capable as it is... Lift is just the way you get tires under sheetmetal. That really does nothing much for your overall wheeling ability. It also takes controlled flex, traction, gears to match tire size, etc.