Spacer Lift Problem

[brtime]

Hi all, new to the forum.

I recently installed a 3" spacer up front on my '03 and I lost all "droop" due to my upper control arms now pointing down so much the ball joint is maxed out. I read countless threads about guys putting spacers on their expy's but I never see anyone complaining about this. Is something jacked up with my setup or what?

 

[Gruz7]

Hi all, new to the forum.



I recently installed a 3" spacer up front on my '03 and I lost all "droop" due to my upper control arms now pointing down so much the ball joint is maxed out. I read countless threads about guys putting spacers on their expy's but I never see anyone complaining about this. Is something jacked up with my setup or what?

To my understanding based on what you explained there is nothing wrong with your setup... The spacer type (lift/level) kit is designed to fit on top of the coil spring/strut and thus causing the coil and shock to compress while at the same time adding a higher stance to the vehicle... So since you claim your suspension is about maxed out (to me) that makes sense and the that's how it is supposed to fit...


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[brtime]

To my understanding based on what you explained there is nothing wrong with your setup... The spacer type (lift/level) kit is designed to fit on top of the coil spring/strut and thus causing the coil and shock to compress while at the same time adding a higher stance to the vehicle... So since you claim your suspension is about maxed out (to me) that makes sense and the that's how it is supposed to fit...


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Thanks for the quick reply. Has anyone looked into some sort of uniball set up to provide for some increased down travel? I'm sure it is made for the F150 but I wonder if it would work on the expedition. Or does everyone with a spacer just put up with zero down travel?

 

[Gruz7]

Thanks for the quick reply. Has anyone looked into some sort of uniball set up to provide for some increased down travel? I'm sure it is made for the F150 but I wonder if it would work on the expedition. Or does everyone with a spacer just put up with zero down travel?

I know from the people on here there really isn't much for the Expeditions and as far as I know the majority or guys on here just deal with the little amount of travel provided by adding the spacer... I didn't have much problem with it on my old Expy and it preformed pretty well off road and I plan on going with the same 3/2 level on my newer 2006 so we'll see how it goes... I'll be running 35s too but that won't be for a while... Hopefully you can figure it out and don't regret the lift! Makes the truck look a lot better IMO


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[brtime]

I know from the people on here there really isn't much for the Expeditions and as far as I know the majority or guys on here just deal with the little amount of travel provided by adding the spacer... I didn't have much problem with it on my old Expy and it preformed pretty well off road and I plan on going with the same 3/2 level on my newer 2006 so we'll see how it goes... I'll be running 35s too but that won't be for a while... Hopefully you can figure it out and don't regret the lift! Makes the truck look a lot better IMO


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It doesn't ride too bad actually and it most definitely improves the look 200%. I just hate when I go over a dip and the arms bottom out on the upper ball joints and I just cringe thinking one of the times one of the ball joints will snap.

 

[Gruz7]

It doesn't ride too bad actually and it most definitely improves the look 200%. I just hate when I go over a dip and the arms bottom out on the upper ball joints and I just cringe thinking one of the times one of the ball joints will snap.

Maybeeeee, Price you have to pay for good looks? Haha I don't know, it is what it is unless you can afford the rize 9 inch lift system for the Expy then you really get some quality.


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[brtime]

Maybeeeee, Price you have to pay for good looks? Haha I don't know, it is what it is unless you can afford the rize 9 inch lift system for the Expy then you really get some quality.


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Good looks always seem to come at a cost... lol

That Rize lift is super nice but it costs as much as my expy is worth!

 

[Gruz7]

No kidding lol
This is best looking lifted second gen I think I have ever seen and that it's been my ultimate goal for mine ever since


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[brtime]

No kidding lol
This is best looking lifted second gen I think I have ever seen and that it's been my ultimate goal for mine ever since


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That thing is gorgeous! Those must be 37s?


I may have stumbled onto something on trusty old eBay for the ball joint problem...

Blue Upper Control Arm for 2 4" Lift Ford Lincoln 2WD 4WD FX4 2004 2008 | eBay

 

[Gruz7]

I believe 37s since the 38s are much much wider and they aren't even close to 40s but I don't know what those controls I would contact the seller and ask about the fitment of Expeditions and Navigators


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[EVILTOW]

I just ordered this kit. Im waiting for it to arrive. I got the 3 inch rear lift and 2.5 inch front lift with the blue control arms.

Black Front 3" Rear 2 5" Lift Kit with Blue Control Arm Expedition 03 | eBay

 

[brtime]

I just ordered this kit. Im waiting for it to arrive. I got the 3 inch rear lift and 2.5 inch front lift with the blue control arms.

Black Front 3" Rear 2 5" Lift Kit with Blue Control Arm Expedition 03 | eBay

That's awesome! Please come back on once you get it installed and share your results and some pics.

 

[Skauber]

Sorry for a hijack, but does anyone know if there are a 2/2 lift kit? I don't like the 3/2 one, if I were to lift my truck, I want the same lift front and rear, and I feel 2 inches is enough without stressing the stock suspension too much...

 

[Gruz7]

Sorry for a hijack, but does anyone know if there are a 2/2 lift kit? I don't like the 3/2 one, if I were to lift my truck, I want the same lift front and rear, and I feel 2 inches is enough without stressing the stock suspension too much...

I think the Truxxx lift for be Expy is pretty close?


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[2004XLT]

Sorry for a hijack, but does anyone know if there are a 2/2 lift kit? I don't like the 3/2 one, if I were to lift my truck, I want the same lift front and rear, and I feel 2 inches is enough without stressing the stock suspension too much...

They are available on ebay..you may have to buy the front and rear separate. My front spacers measured 1.125" and gave right about 2" of lift, however it was listed as a 3" spacer. Something to consider.

brtime, what was the thickness of the spacer that got you 3" of lift?

 

[Skauber]

Thanks, I'll go ebay-hunting.

So what you're saying is that if I order a 2 inch lift kit (front or rear), the spacer will not be 2 inches, but a little over 1 inch, which gives 2 inch lift when installed?

 

[brtime]

They are available on ebay..you may have to buy the front and rear separate. My front spacers measured 1.125" and gave right about 2" of lift, however it was listed as a 3" spacer. Something to consider.

brtime, what was the thickness of the spacer that got you 3" of lift?

Looks to be about 1.75" maybe 2". Didn't measure before install unfortunately.

 

[EVILTOW]

That's awesome! Please come back on once you get it installed and share your results and some pics.

I took some pics today. Ill post them tomorrow when I install them and get an alignment

 

[EVILTOW]

Bad news. The hardware won't fit the stock spindle on the expedition. The control arm kit comes with 2 bolts and 2 special washers that allow the arms to connect to the stock spindle on the expedition. But the washer they provide is too large for the hole on the expedition.





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[EVILTOW]

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