Raising a 2014 Expedition

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

J Ski

3.5plati
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
1,019
Reaction score
485
Location
VA
Nope they arent supposed to be torqued tight anyway
Really?, you should stop giving people suggestions. I guess they are supposed to be loose so they unthread and fall off
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
The mechanic offered to put the spacers in next weekend for $200. I'm going to think about it. I feel a thousand times better right now than I did 2 hours ago. I'm debating trying it myself again. This time I might get new shocks. Preferably a set that doesn't have those bolts flared on.
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
So did you get the spacers in?
Nope. Maybe next weekend.
I'm glad you know what I was talking about with the bolts on the shocks. Very frustrating. Do the aftermarket shocks have those bolts seperate?
 

J Ski

3.5plati
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
1,019
Reaction score
485
Location
VA
Nope. Maybe next weekend.
I'm glad you know what I was talking about with the bolts on the shocks. Very frustrating. Do the aftermarket shocks have those bolts seperate?
unfortunately no, they come pressed in as well
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
unfortunately no, they come pressed in as well
That sucks.
Ok. So what was your method for hammering them out?
If I get new shocks, I think I'll go with oem, but upgrade the rear to self leveling shocks. I'll have to look at pricing since I'd have to replace the rear coils.
 

J Ski

3.5plati
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
1,019
Reaction score
485
Location
VA
That sucks.
Ok. So what was your method for hammering them out?
If I get new shocks, I think I'll go with oem, but upgrade the rear to self leveling shocks. I'll have to look at pricing since I'd have to replace the rear coils.
got a piece of wood and drilled out a hole a little bit larger than the top of the shock. set the top of the shock into the hole and held on tight while my dad hammered them out. several heavy blows from the hammer knocked them loose. and I mean heavy blows. make sure you thread the nuts on backwards to cover the tip of the bolt which gives you a better surface area to strike. 10 minutes to take out all 4
 

Adieu

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
3,717
Reaction score
798
Location
SoCal
Really?, you should stop giving people suggestions. I guess they are supposed to be loose so they unthread and fall off

Strut tower torque specs on most vehicles are 15 - 30 ftlbs


....vs 300+ ftlbs on the bottom, HELLS YEAH that's loose.

And in other news, that's so loose that you really don't wanna use power or air tools to tighten them
 

Plati

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 4, 2016
Posts
2,781
Reaction score
1,367
Location
.
OK ... I have to ask this question. I bet it sounds pretty dumb but I dont know. WHY do people "lift" their Expy's? Is it to get more ground clearance for off road? Is it because they want to run bigger diameter tires? Is it because they find that it makes the truck look better?
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
OK ... I have to ask this question. I bet it sounds pretty dumb but I dont know. WHY do people "lift" their Expy's? Is it to get more ground clearance for off road? Is it because they want to run bigger diameter tires? Is it because they find that it makes the truck look better?
My '14 is lower to the ground than either of my previous first generations. I got used to being higher up and I want my 3rd generation to match it. Right now the running boards are pretty much useless for me.
 

J Ski

3.5plati
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
1,019
Reaction score
485
Location
VA
OK ... I have to ask this question. I bet it sounds pretty dumb but I dont know. WHY do people "lift" their Expy's? Is it to get more ground clearance for off road? Is it because they want to run bigger diameter tires? Is it because they find that it makes the truck look better?
Bigger tires and looks for me. Only “off roading” I’ll ever do with it is the beach in OBX
 

Adieu

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
3,717
Reaction score
798
Location
SoCal
OK ... I have to ask this question. I bet it sounds pretty dumb but I dont know. WHY do people "lift" their Expy's? Is it to get more ground clearance for off road? Is it because they want to run bigger diameter tires? Is it because they find that it makes the truck look better?

Fronts often also lifted a bit because of the "factory rake" (truck leans forward/downward an inch or two up front)
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
Fronts often also lifted a bit because of the "factory rake" (truck leans forward/downward an inch or two up front)
I'm pretty sure my 97&01 was completely level. I can really feel the rake on my '14.
 

sjwelds

Full Access Members
Joined
Feb 19, 2016
Posts
838
Reaction score
383
Location
Kansas
Thought about lifting mine a bit, but really just not a fan of how the rear wheels swing forward when these rigs are lifted. Not knocking those of you with a lift, just personal opinion.

Plus, for whatever reason, mine sits pretty much level. Guessing the rear springs are beat down a bit after 150k+ miles.
 
OP
OP
oldpaddy

oldpaddy

Full Access Members
Joined
May 1, 2012
Posts
355
Reaction score
76
Location
Cape Cod
Got her raised!
Felt at home once I got behind the wheel. Much better.
20180421_142520.jpg

They didn't have to take the bolts off the shocks, but they did have to remove the front calipers and rotors. At one point there was three guys doing one wheel. The front took them a while.
20180421_112848.jpg
 

J Ski

3.5plati
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
1,019
Reaction score
485
Location
VA
Got her raised!
Felt at home once I got behind the wheel. Much better.
20180421_142520.jpg

They didn't have to take the bolts off the shocks, but they did have to remove the front calipers and rotors. At one point there was three guys doing one wheel. The front took them a while.
20180421_112848.jpg
Calipers and rotors for a spacer? Must’ve been here first one. Thts sad
 
Top