New 2 me 1999 Ex 4x4

SkyJumper said:

Well I got the lift installed today. Took me about 3.5 hrs to complete it. Looks pretty good, and I achieved 2" in the front and 2" in the rear. I could of gone more on the front, but I will need to get longer new shocks. I took it for a test drive, and I can say that I will be buying new shocks as it is a bit bouncey in the front due to the shocks almost maxed out. So that wil be next. The rims will be in on Tuesday, and Wednesday I get the dual exhaust installed. It is coming together pretty good and rapid.

Tell me what you think,

Before lift,
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After
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What lift did you get?

Jay87LX said:

What lift did you get?

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3" indexed Torsion keys, and 2" coil spacers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250882896266?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I know that with Explorers there is a recommended 2" lift limit, or somewhere around there, with the torsion bars. Exceeding that places the axles at too extreme of an angle and it induces wear on the CV joints.

I haven't read anything about this for the Expy's but I would think that the same thing would hold true. My stock 97's axles are already angled some due to the factory setup since it sits higher than later years and part of it is due to the torsion bars. I guess just be aware of what you have and that you may be replacing axles sooner than normal with the higher torsion twists.

jrjr said:

I know that with Explorers there is a recommended 2" lift limit, or somewhere around there, with the torsion bars. Exceeding that places the axles at too extreme of an angle and it induces wear on the CV joints.

I haven't read anything about this for the Expy's but I would think that the same thing would hold true. My stock 97's axles are already angled some due to the factory setup since it sits higher than later years and part of it is due to the torsion bars. I guess just be aware of what you have and that you may be replacing axles sooner than normal with the higher torsion twists.

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That holds true for all IFS. Angles are a very important factor to take in consideration when doing a TT. That is why I only went 1.5" in ht up front, even though the indexed keys can gain you 3" if desired. And not only that, but the shocks can also max out and causes a very bouncey ride limited from itself constantly. I am still going to buy new 1-2" longer travel shocks for this setup. I will eventually buy a full suspension setup once I get more involved in this vehicle. Or at that, may do a SAS up front with a D60 as there is plenty of room under there to accommodate a SAS. But time will tell, and my overall liking for the Ex. Even at 1.5" TT, it is alittle bouncey as it is now. Before I started the lift, I had 37.5"s from ground to edge of center fender up front, after the TT, I was at 39"s, that is a net of 1.5"s. Which should be plenty for the 305/70/16's going on tomorrow or Wednesday.

Well I got the tires mounted on the rims. But when I went to mount the tires on the front, the rims are laying against the calipers and that is not good. So I oredered a set of billett 1" spacers to mount on the rotor to bring them out enough to clear the calipers. Should have the set of 4 spacers by Weds of next week. UGGHH!

Well I bought 4 new Rancho RS5000 shocks all the way around at the 4" lift style. The stockers were extended to the max with the lift I put on, so that is why it was so bouncey. They feel and work great.

Still waiting for the wheel spacers to come in, should have them by the end of the week.

looks gewd

I also took off the side door moldings and also took the brown pinstriping off and installed black pinstriping. I will post pics tomorrow. I thing the black pinstriping looks awesome.

Here are some pics of the door moldings taken off and waxed and the new black pinstriping. I am not a fan of pinstriping but I took the brown stripes off and thought it took away from the body line seperation. So I got some black stripes and added them and they look great. They will also go with the black rims going on this week. I also took a few of the new Rancho shocks and tail pipes.

And here is the tires mounted on the rims. Also got the frontend aligned on Wed.

Well with the only blemish on the interior at all I fixed. The airbag on the steering wheel had some paint chips as Ford seems to have painted the airbag cover to match interior color. But the paint had come off in several spots and was a eyesore to see the black spots on it. So I wiped it clean with alcohol and taped it off and painted the airbag with primer and then the original color and sealed it. It came out beautifully and looks new again. Here is a pic beofre and after.

Before


After

Any progress pics with the tires on? I have the exact same truck as you
I've purchased the same lift as you but plan on running 315 75 16 on 16X8
wheels and i'm nervous they might be too big.

Ed

I received the lugs and center caps in today. I am still waiting on the billet 1" spacers to come in. They should be here tomorrow. Then I can mount them and see if any trimming is needed. I will post pics up as soon as I mount them, hopefully tomorrow.

cant wait to see this thing all done.

Well I got the tires and rims on with the help of the 1" spacers I received today. Only trimming needed was on the plastic step rail at the very front edge and on the front valance. So all turned out good.

Here are a couple of night pics, will get better ones up tomorrow in the daylight.

Here are the spacers, I had to trim the original lugs down to prohibit any interference with the rim mounting on the spacer flush, and that was pretty much it.

Looks great!

it looks like I will have enough room for my tires, I'm thinking mi tire won't stick out near as much as yours.

Great job!

Ed

Thanks,

First of all, I may be missing the boat here, but why is all my pics small in size and have to be clicked on to enlarge them. That to me is annoying. How can they be original size when posted?

The Nitto advertises these 305/70/16 tires at 32.8"s tall, but after I mounted them, they measured at 33.2"s tall. The measured height from ground to fender lip is now at 41.5"s, that is a additional 2" of lift just from the tires alone. I am at a total of 4.5"s of lift. Not bad for all invested so far.

Here is a list of what I have in it so far.

1) 99 Expedition- $3,500.00
2) 4 Nitto Terra Grapplers (305/70/16)- $950.00
3) 4 Pro Comp Series 98 Xtreme Black Rims (16x10)- $400.00
4) Center caps and lugs- $115.00
5) 4 Rancho RS5000 shocks- $225.00
6) ****** Aero Chamber Muffler- $65.00
7) 2 Magnaflow exhaust tips- $65.00
8) Exhaust installed- $275.00
9) Heater core- $60.00
10) CAI- $129.00
11) Camo Seat covers, mats and steering wheel cover- $90.00
12) Euro Smoked tail lights- $100.00
13) Frontend alignment-$65.00
14) Tires mounted on rims- $45.00
15) 4 1" Billet T6016 Spacers- $150.00
16) 3/2" lift kit- $190.00

Grand Total- $6,424.00

Not bad for 2 weeks work. I really think it turned out good so far. I am still waiting on the tail lights to arrive. And I plan on getting a DeeZee full 3 pc black brush guard, and a Lund Moon Visor, and also get the 3.55's out of there and put 4.56's in front and rear. I can not beleive that these trucks came with 3.55's..

I tell you, after the numerous Broncos and other 4x4's I have had over the years, this Expedition is hugh right out of the box, now it feeld even bigger and it does not fit in my garage any longer as it is now.

SkyJumper said:

Here are the spacers, I had to trim the original lugs down to prohibit any interference with the rim mounting on the spacer flush, and that was pretty much it.
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looks good

Here is some daylight pics of the wheels installed.