Ford Explorer Budget Lift 101, How to lift your Explorer or Ranger cheap. Helpful hints for making your project go smooth and get your Ford Explorer off road.
My experience lifting my 2000 Sport has been about the same. I manufactured the extended shackles myself, expecting 1.5" of lift, but they actually lifted it almost exactly 2.0" in the rear. Then I had to crank the front torsion bars up to match, but did not experience any bottoming out/etc. To anyone looking to do the torsion bar twist lift, I would highly suggest buying new 'isolator' bolts (what Ford calls them, if I remember correctly) which are the bolt you tighten to move the torsion bar adjusting arm. As mentioned in the video, they can be very rusted and seem to be an extremely tight fit by design. I think that I even read in a Ford service manual that they are to be replaced any time they are removed. The only downside to 2" of torsion bar lift that I have really encountered is that the lower control arm tends to rub the rubber boots on the lower ball joints (due to the increased angle), tearing them open and causing the grease to leak out. Then the ball joint fails more frequently than it should. There used to be torsion bar "keys" (the adjusting arm that the bolt pushes on) that had the hexagonal hole cut in a different orientation than the factory ones, which would allow the torsion bar to be twisted without having to 'bottom out' the adjusting bolt. I don't know that they were ever offered for the Explorer specifically, so I bought a set for a Ranger. Unfortunately, they are a little too thick to fit in the original location so I was never able to install them. I will probably mill the thickness down a bit, then get new isolator bolts and try again someday. For such a simple, inexpensive lift, it improves the capabiities significantly! I never went to 33" tires, just run a 31x10.5-15 (BFG all-terrain) with no rubbing. I drove mine for 18 years with the shackles and torsion bar twist with virtually no problems, other than the lower ball joints wearing out. Sadly, the transmission failed at 265,000 miles but I am rebuilding it (and likely the engine as well) and will be happy to get it back on the road again. None of the newer Explorers really compare to the versatility of the gen1/gen2 (in my opinion).
I can’t believe how GREAT, this SUV was built, mine was a 97 and that thing took so much punishment it did rarely give up on me, 😢but had to let it go because I needed a 4door for my family. It was the 4.0 Litter V6, if you find one of these jewels get it.
That was the best explanation of an easy way to get a lift on an explore. I picked up a pretty mint condition O2. And planning on doing the same thing. Appreciate it be safe out there.
I got mine from a 93 F150 2wd, use the main leaf from the Explorer so you just remove the center leaf bolt and the leafs come out (clamp the leafs together first) do the same on the F150 leafs and clamp them onto the Explorer main and bolt back together. The F150 second leaf is longer than the Explorer one so it supports the main leaf better.
Hello awesome video!! You literally gave me the motivation to begin lifting my 97 sport 5 speed. The spare tire holder. Any input in where you got that? Or how it was made?
my '93 eddieB 4.0 blew up at 299,640. now drive '01 4.0 with 240,sum (bought w/157thou)been thru wet muddy creek farm crossings and bean stubble field shortcuts in blizzard cruises. Hope You the Best Fun without the $$👍🏼
Everyone is so enthralled with Toyota SUVs but I think ford invented SUVs. I own a 05 Ford Escape Hybrid!!!! Don't overland but I just love owning a Ford SUV.
hey man, came across this video, and i love it. i drive a 1999 explorer eddie bauer awd myself and have been interested in lifting it. is there any pointers you could give, any products specs etc?? i have been struggling trying to figure out how to lift my suv considering the all wheel drive. Shoot me a response if possible. thank ya!
Crank your front torsion bars but not too much, I did a leaf spring rebuild using f150 leafs, your can buy lift shackles too. Adding big tires requires pretty major front fender and even body tub cuts and hammering. I did a 4406 transfercase swap to get a low range. The 5.0 and that t-case works incredible. Unfortunately the Explorer doesn’t have very many parts available so making them the only option. When you crank the front bars you can go too far and your ride quality will be bad. The suspension will top out over ever bump and that’s not fun. Buy Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and adjust to full hard to slow the suspension to make it top out less.
I have a 98 Ford explore Eddie Bauer and wanted to do something similar to mine. Just took the running boards off and trying to figure out what to do about the holes. What did you use to cover yours? Could you post links?
I understand the second gen explorers with a V8 only came with awd, how's that system worked for you?? there is a 4x4 conversion but it seems like a hassle to do.
@@starksexpeditions121 Nice, i'll do more research but on the forums some guys upload pictures of the process and it does seem like a lot of work but maybe a looked up the wrong swap, the end result in your explorer is awesome, very proper look.
Hey man! Loved the video. I’m not sure if I missed it but what size lift kit did you put on it and what were the size of the 33” tires? I’m new to car mods. Thanks!
Thanks! I was running BFG 33/10.50-15 tires. I had about 2” lift in the front and 4” in the rear. To get that size tire without a body lift takes a lot of sheet metal trimming. A friend of mine put a body lift to get that clearance.
you talked about the f150 leaf swap are you still planning on doing that vid i am getting ready to start lifting mine and am curious how that works thanks
Sorry, had my laptop hard drive fail and I lost a bunch of files. If you do a search there are write ups on the Explorer Forum, I got the info from there. It’s not hard, finding the right truck for a donor is the hardest thing.
Awesome to see an Explorer mod for off-roading. You see a lot of Jeep and 4Runner stuff, but it's nice to see the Ex get a little attention.
Thanks!
I have a 2000 xlt 3 in body lift , shackles, did the torsion, 33' in toyos and much more , in the process of doing my bumpers now
@@starksexpeditions121 what year was this?
It’s a 2000
@@starksexpeditions121 I have a project 96 I want to lift but can’t find anything on torsion keys and spring leaf riser of that makes sense
My experience lifting my 2000 Sport has been about the same. I manufactured the extended shackles myself, expecting 1.5" of lift, but they actually lifted it almost exactly 2.0" in the rear. Then I had to crank the front torsion bars up to match, but did not experience any bottoming out/etc.
To anyone looking to do the torsion bar twist lift, I would highly suggest buying new 'isolator' bolts (what Ford calls them, if I remember correctly) which are the bolt you tighten to move the torsion bar adjusting arm. As mentioned in the video, they can be very rusted and seem to be an extremely tight fit by design. I think that I even read in a Ford service manual that they are to be replaced any time they are removed.
The only downside to 2" of torsion bar lift that I have really encountered is that the lower control arm tends to rub the rubber boots on the lower ball joints (due to the increased angle), tearing them open and causing the grease to leak out. Then the ball joint fails more frequently than it should.
There used to be torsion bar "keys" (the adjusting arm that the bolt pushes on) that had the hexagonal hole cut in a different orientation than the factory ones, which would allow the torsion bar to be twisted without having to 'bottom out' the adjusting bolt. I don't know that they were ever offered for the Explorer specifically, so I bought a set for a Ranger.
Unfortunately, they are a little too thick to fit in the original location so I was never able to install them. I will probably mill the thickness down a bit, then get new isolator bolts and try again someday. For such a simple, inexpensive lift, it improves the capabiities significantly! I never went to 33" tires, just run a 31x10.5-15 (BFG all-terrain) with no rubbing. I drove mine for 18 years with the shackles and torsion bar twist with virtually no problems, other than the lower ball joints wearing out.
Sadly, the transmission failed at 265,000 miles but I am rebuilding it (and likely the engine as well) and will be happy to get it back on the road again. None of the newer Explorers really compare to the versatility of the gen1/gen2 (in my opinion).
I can’t believe how GREAT, this SUV was built, mine was a 97 and that thing took so much punishment it did rarely give up on me, 😢but had to let it go because I needed a 4door for my family.
It was the 4.0 Litter V6, if you find one of these jewels get it.
Mine has 116k on it. I love it. It's a great vehicle
That was the best explanation of an easy way to get a lift on an explore. I picked up a pretty mint condition O2. And planning on doing the same thing. Appreciate it be safe out there.
I like the stop shot of your dog looking at you when you look like you made a mistake😂
👍
I really like your Explorer! Well done.
Thanks!
Really interested to learn on which year f150 leaf you used for it. Loved your video by the way gave me alot of more ideas for mine.
I got mine from a 93 F150 2wd, use the main leaf from the Explorer so you just remove the center leaf bolt and the leafs come out (clamp the leafs together first) do the same on the F150 leafs and clamp them onto the Explorer main and bolt back together. The F150 second leaf is longer than the Explorer one so it supports the main leaf better.
Hello awesome video!! You literally gave me the motivation to begin lifting my 97 sport 5 speed.
The spare tire holder. Any input in where you got that? Or how it was made?
I built everything, here is a link to the build.
www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/starkmans-explorer-build-thread.391609/
my '93 eddieB 4.0 blew up at 299,640. now drive '01 4.0 with 240,sum (bought w/157thou)been thru wet muddy creek farm crossings and bean stubble field shortcuts in blizzard cruises. Hope You the Best Fun without the $$👍🏼
Thanks!
How did you fill the holes on the side wheres the steps were? I gotta figure it out for my explorer. Also what fender flares did you use.
My 2000 Ford explorer 5.0 V8 4×4 needs to be a beast
16 years with my 2000 Ford explorer 4×4 V8 5.0 leather, moonroof, 2 pipes like flow master
Everyone is so enthralled with Toyota SUVs but I think ford invented SUVs. I own a 05 Ford Escape Hybrid!!!! Don't overland but I just love owning a Ford SUV.
Thanks for watching!
Great job good tips overall awesome video!
Thanks, nice Explorer!
@@starksexpeditions121 thank you I spent a lot of time on it so far and still have a long ways to go going to make some videos too soon.
Love what you've done. I have an 01 I'm currently doing the same to. Where did you get your bumper and running board/rock sliders
I made them myself. If you do a search in the forum Serious Explorations look for my write up. My name on there is “Starkman”
4:40 rancho shocks are meant to accommodate 2" lift.
hey man, came across this video, and i love it. i drive a 1999 explorer eddie bauer awd myself and have been interested in lifting it. is there any pointers you could give, any products specs etc?? i have been struggling trying to figure out how to lift my suv considering the all wheel drive. Shoot me a response if possible. thank ya!
Crank your front torsion bars but not too much, I did a leaf spring rebuild using f150 leafs, your can buy lift shackles too. Adding big tires requires pretty major front fender and even body tub cuts and hammering. I did a 4406 transfercase swap to get a low range. The 5.0 and that t-case works incredible. Unfortunately the Explorer doesn’t have very many parts available so making them the only option. When you crank the front bars you can go too far and your ride quality will be bad. The suspension will top out over ever bump and that’s not fun. Buy Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and adjust to full hard to slow the suspension to make it top out less.
@@starksexpeditions121 i appreciate your help man, glad to see someone had the same interest as me
I have a 98 Ford explore Eddie Bauer and wanted to do something similar to mine. Just took the running boards off and trying to figure out what to do about the holes. What did you use to cover yours? Could you post links?
I have a build thread in Explorer Forum
www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/starkmans-explorer-build-thread.391609/
I have 05 Escape Hybrid. Would love na explorer.
I understand the second gen explorers with a V8 only came with awd, how's that system worked for you?? there is a 4x4 conversion but it seems like a hassle to do.
I did the 4406 transfercase swap. It was very easy to do as all the parts are from another ford. It was the first modification I did.
@@starksexpeditions121 Nice, i'll do more research but on the forums some guys upload pictures of the process and it does seem like a lot of work but maybe a looked up the wrong swap, the end result in your explorer is awesome, very proper look.
Here is a link to my build. www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/starkmans-explorer-build-thread.391609/?amp=1
@@starksexpeditions121 Thanks :D
Hey man! Loved the video. I’m not sure if I missed it but what size lift kit did you put on it and what were the size of the 33” tires? I’m new to car mods. Thanks!
Thanks! I was running BFG 33/10.50-15 tires. I had about 2” lift in the front and 4” in the rear. To get that size tire without a body lift takes a lot of sheet metal trimming. A friend of mine put a body lift to get that clearance.
you talked about the f150 leaf swap are you still planning on doing that vid i am getting ready to start lifting mine and am curious how that works thanks
Sorry, had my laptop hard drive fail and I lost a bunch of files. If you do a search there are write ups on the Explorer Forum, I got the info from there. It’s not hard, finding the right truck for a donor is the hardest thing.
@@starksexpeditions121 👍
Those are either Pro Form Fabrication or Warrior lift shackles...
Warrior IIRC
is your back bumper a smitybilt also? great build n vid!
No, I made it myself. Thanks!
What runs on average withstand a Ford Explorer 1996 r with a 4.0 engine?
Where did you get the front bumper from? Was it welded?
It’s a Smitybilt for a TJ Wrangler. I made mounts to bolt it on.
Try billstien 5100d for your next set of shocks they are also adjustable
I'll take a look.
Que le pusistes donde va la defensa delantera
Es un parachoques Smittybilt para un Jeep Wrangler personalizado para adaptarse.
It's a limited edition explorer 5.0 V8 special edition
Where did you get your rear tire mount been looking for a while cant find one
Made it myself
What bumper/carrier are you using in the rear ?
Home made.
I would totally buy the cad/ blueprint to that!!
@@georgekerr7771 Wish I had one.
How did you do the 5th wheel frame
I built it myself.
Is this 2WD? And if so, what shocks would you recommend for the front ?
No 4x4, Rancho 9000xl turned to the hardest setting.
Is it awd?
It was, I did a BW4406 transfer case swap.
Can i get the links to all the parts in the video?
Most of the parts are made by me, link to build thread.
www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/starkmans-explorer-build-thread.391609/#post-3190632
2nd generation is the only one worth anything. Add a leaf helps keep it tight.
Thanks for watching