Suspension Lift

[Kody Budinger]

This is for all you that have done a lift to your ST's. I have a 2inch torsion lift but I am really wanting to do a suspension lift but I can only find one lift made for ST's which is made by Superlift. Im just looking for some extra clearance. Whats ya'll input?

 

[Tim Thackston]

first, are you running a 4x4 or 4x2? determine your end game, what type of use ect/ for example,my 4x2 is set up and built specifically for fast desert trails, sandy washes little roller type of roads ect. Take a peek of a couple quick pics I tossed up in my library.

Do your homework, ask us a ton of questions. Safety first always. IMO Body Lifts are a last resort, not a first choice for big tires. Big tires and wheels are much heavier than the little bologna skins which came on our rigs. Body lift with large tires and stock suspension parts like shocks ect were not meant to handle the new heavy tires and wheels. While it may look nice, its going to handle like crap and wear parts much quicker. Suspension first, beef it up according to your needs, no more! then if tires don't fit, that's ok for the body lift because your new suspension can and will handle the weight and height of your rig, plus it will handle great! Good luck and ask away!:haveabeer:

 

[Johnny O]

Assuming you have a 4x4 Trac, then Superlift is about your only option, it's pricey (around $2k) and availability is iffy. That would be my first choice if money were no object.

There IS the Dixon Brother Racing long-travel coilover kit but it costs about $6k and figure another $1k to install unless you're a very competent welder. Then another grand or so for wider fiberglass front fenders and paint. The components are more heavy duty though.

I would just do the TT/shackle lift and add a body lift. That will fit 33's, and call it good. Cost a bunch less.

 

[Johnny O]

Assuming you have a 4x4 Trac, then Superlift is about your only option, it's pricey (around $2k) and availability is iffy. That would be my first choice if money were no object.

There IS the Dixon Brother Racing long-travel coilover kit but it costs about $6k and figure another $1k to install unless you're a very competent welder. Then another grand or so for wider fiberglass front fenders and paint. The components are more heavy duty though.

I would just do the TT/shackle lift and add a body lift. That will fit 33's, and call it good. Cost a bunch less.

 

[H D]

Extra clearance will only come from bigger tires, no matter what "lift" you add to the truck. How much clearance do you need? Or rather, Tim asked the first and most important question: what are you using it for?



Do you want to impress high school girls at the theater parking lot?

Do you want to drive fast over rough terrain?

Do you want to crawl rocks and tight trails?

 

[Kody Budinger]

High school girls aren't on the radar anymore...haha. I am looking not exactly crawl but I do a lot of hunting and spend most my time in the woods so I tend to get into some rock and rough terrain but nothing crazy.

 

[Kody Budinger]

Tim I noticed your shocks aren't made for ST's so what did you get that fits? I have a 4x4 by the way as well as your camburg I couldn't find anything for ST's

 

[H D]

Tim is against body lifts for obvious reasons; he likes to go fast. If you're doing more slow off road driving, a body lift is fine, IMO. If you think you may ever run dunes, DO NOT add a body lift.



Adding a Superlift is adding a weakness and costs a whole lot more. I'd rather risk one of those fabled body lift failures (still yet to see evidence of the scary stories that circulate) than the bent bracket/crossmember stories you can read all about on ExplorerForum. Superlift just didn't do a good job with their lift for the 2nd generation Explorers. They're also getting really hard to find. You also still would have the torsion bars hanging way down there unless you switch to coilovers.



Again, you can add whatever cheap or expensive "lift" parts you want, but you won't gain ground clearance without bigger tires. A Superlift with 33s has the same ground clearance as a TT/shackled truck with 33s.



I have 35x12.5 tires with a body lift, 1.5" torsion twist and an add a leaf. Works fine. I upgraded the suspension before I had any issues. You can read about the upper control arms I used in the link below. Here's my ground clearance.



<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/hughdarnley/media/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3500.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3500.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3500.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/hughdarnley/media/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3510.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3510.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3510.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/hughdarnley/media/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3489.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/IMG_3489.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3489.jpg"/></a>

 

[Travis Stevens]

i have the 3" body lift TT and shackles with some add-a-leafs and the superlift... i havent had any problems with it but i also havent done any hardcore off-roading either just mostly to and from hunting spots... im running 35 12.5 15s so i dont have any more ground clearance than hugh but i like the look of lifted trucks... i spent about 2k on the superlift kit and installed it myself... i also re-geared my axles to 4.56 to help with the 35s



heres the front end torn apart

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[H D]

Add some coilovers to get rid of those torsion bars and you'll have more ground clearance.:grin:

 

[Travis Stevens]

its in the works now lol

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

Travis you gonna go to Roastin' the Rocks in Windber, Pa. next weekend? I'd like to see how your truck does offroad, a couple members from here and EF are going. It's one of the biggest offroad event in western/ central Pa. Let me know.