4" lift

[joethefordguy]

I think it comes down to the state of the existing suspension components along with replacing them with the best you can find.
For example, when I did my lift, I replaced all four strut assemblies, inner/outer tie rods, end links, and upper/lower control arms so yeah... My shit isn't wearing out prematurely.

hmmm... I had always assumed "all things being equal" would take existing problems into account. I'll try to check for that in the future. I think my assumption was always that the OEM front end is nearly eternal, so anything less would be due, in varying degrees, to suspension lift.

 

[CertusExpo]

hmmm... I had always assumed "all things being equal" would take existing problems into account. I'll try to check for that in the future. I think my assumption was always that the OEM front end is nearly eternal, so anything less would be due, in varying degrees, to suspension lift.

They most definitely are not. Warranties vary from 90-days to one million miles. I went with the 1,000,000,000 mile warranty parts.

Also, especially in cases where the Expy was purchased pre-owned, the suspension could have been beat hard and put away wet, a bad/cheap repair, even the region of the country with exposure to snow/salt on a yearly basis.

These are just a few examples but no, suspension is Wear and Tear just like brakes and tires.

 

[joethefordguy]

They most definitely are not. Warranties vary from 90-days to one million miles. I went with the 1,000,000,000 mile warranty parts.

Also, especially in cases where the Expy was purchased pre-owned, the suspension could have been beat hard and put away wet, a bad/cheap repair, even the region of the country with exposure to snow/salt on a yearly basis.

These are just a few examples but no, suspension is Wear and Tear just like brakes and tires.

thanks. you seem knowledgeable. I've been researching replacement components with this goal in mind:
I'll be lifting my 04 4WD expedition less than 6"; I already have some front end work to do. I want to replace affected components - suspension, steering, drive - with the aftermarket parts that will be at least as durable as OEM before the lift.

what parts/brands, etc., would you go with?
thanks
jg

 

[CertusExpo]

thanks. you seem knowledgeable. I've been researching replacement components with this goal in mind:
I'll be lifting my 04 4WD expedition less than 6"; I already have some front end work to do. I want to replace affected components - suspension, steering, drive - with the aftermarket parts that will be at least as durable as OEM before the lift.

what parts/brands, etc., would you go with?
thanks
jg

I primarily went with ProForged components as much as they manufacture for our rigs. Anything HD or Extreme Duty made by a reputable manufacturer. I went further, taking my lowers to my fab guy and having weld on gussets.

Edit: Thank you for the compliment.

 

[joethefordguy]

hhhmmm so I'll have to get a "fab guy"... what kind of shop is that? a machine shop or what? what would I be looking for?
thanks
jg
I actually do a know a fab guy, but he does other work (petrochemical plant supervisor); he lives about 5 hours away, and he's busy.

 

[CertusExpo]

hhhmmm so I'll have to get a "fab guy"... what kind of shop is that? a machine shop or what? what would I be looking for?
thanks
jg
I actually do a know a fab guy, but he does other work (petrochemical plant supervisor); he lives about 5 hours away, and he's busy.

A good welder with tenure.

 

[Jb14]

I don't understand the different answers. some folks have issues with parts wearing out (ball joints, etc.) other's don't. What is the difference that causes premature wear in come cases, but not in others?
Please don't respond with the obvious "the greater the lift, the greater the wear". Duh.
I'm talking about conflicting posts about lifts in the 2-3" range, meant to allow for not more than 35" tires. My truck is a 2004 SSV XLT 4WD with the OEM locker.

I do not know either I can just state from my experience. I did a mix of OEM and Moog parts where I could not find a part of higher quality (unfortunately high-quality aftermarket products are for our trucks are not being made like other vehicles) When I did my lift I replaced all the steering and suspension components at the same time, Aarms, ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, springs etc. For me I think it has contributed to a long life, being the parts were new and quality and were not working against older bushing and so on. I also rotate and rebalance my tires plus alignment at regular intervals and I do not drive my truck hard but can when needed.

P.S. 4 wheel parts are horrendous I agree with you. Used them once never again

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I'm sure there's also a certain amount of generalization going on... someone reads an article about someone that put a 12" lift on their truck and had component failure due to the sever change in geometries (suspension, drive shafts) then assumes all lifts of any type will yield the same results and openly shares that opinion .

I haven't had any problems. 3.5/2.5 with original control arms.

 

[joethefordguy]

I do not know either I can just state from my experience. I did a mix of OEM and Moog parts where I could not find a part of higher quality (unfortunately high-quality aftermarket products are for our trucks are not being made like other vehicles) When I did my lift I replaced all the steering and suspension components at the same time, Aarms, ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, springs etc. For me I think it has contributed to a long life, being the parts were new and quality and were not working against older bushing and so on. I also rotate and rebalance my tires plus alignment at regular intervals and I do not drive my truck hard but can when needed.

P.S. 4 wheel parts are horrendous I agree with you. Used them once never again

beginning to wonder whether 4WP ever gets repeat business....

 

[CertusExpo]

Update:

I am going to add Limit Straps to the front. Our trucks don't have bump stops and while catching some air, the end lins blew out and grease was spat everywhere.
I feel that limit straps will control that while not allowing the weight of the entire front end just whack everything to full drop.

We'll see and I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[Sparkss]

Been considering a modest lift to be able to get some bigger tires on our '05 EB 4X4 Expy. I am the original owner and it only has 75k miles on it. I did replace the factory struts about 9 years ago (at maybe 35k miles) with Bilsteins. I would prefer to keep the same rims and just go with larger tires, as I have read others have done. What is a safe lift "size", or range, for our truck that would still give the ability to go with a larger tire? and have the least amount of risk for the remaining suspension parts? Ours came with the HD Towing package, although I realize that is more about radiator and transmission than about suspension, but I figured better to mention it.

TIA!

 

[scoot0073]

3.5 / 2 5 with 35's will get u there

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[CertusExpo]

While what scoot0073 is true. Going to max has the opposite effect of ending the upper ball joint life MUCH QUICKER than if you went a little more modest with the lift.

To maintain some semblance of dependability, I'd go 2.5/2 inch lift.

I have the max lift and just ate my end links and the ball joints are close behind after almost 2 years for the ball joints and maybe, 6 months for the end links.
I am going to try to mitigate that via doubled-up limiting straps but we'll see if it does the trick. And, the max lift gets you into trimming, modding, and fabrication.

You'll be able to fit 33's.

 

[scoot0073]

Now granted a year after I did my leveling kit I did do brand new upper control arms not that I needed to but with a 250 something thousand miles I knew it needed to be done

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[scoot0073]

While what scoot0073 is true. Going to max has the opposite effect of ending the upper ball joint life MUCH QUICKER than if you went a little more modest with the lift.

To maintain some semblance of dependability, I'd go 2.5/2 inch lift.

I have the max lift and just ate my end links and the ball joints are close behind after almost 2 years for the ball joints and maybe, 6 months for the end links.
I am going to try to mitigate that via doubled-up limiting straps but we'll see if it does the trick. And, the max lift gets you into trimming, modding, and fabrication.

You'll be able to fit 33's.

Yes doing the 3.5 /2.5 leveling kit with 35's will require you to do some trimming to the valace and the pinch welds in the inner fender..
But I wanna run 38's so I need to do a 3" body lift .
I have been lazy bc it is some work but I do wanna go bigger in tire size [emoji106]

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[CertusExpo]

But I wanna run 38's so I need to do a 3" body lift .
I have been lazy bc it is some work but I do wanna go bigger in tire size [emoji106]

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38's! WHOA!!!

Are you doing any work to the transmission and swapping out gears?

The 35's placed a noticable amount of strain on my 250k mile transmission.

 

[scoot0073]

I did the gears last year to 4.56 front and rear. And now my 250, something mile rig will burn them 35's.
But yes I want to run 38's which is is at the top end for my 4.56 gears but I need at least a 3" body lift atm then who knows from there.

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[scoot0073]

38's! WHOA!!!

Are you doing any work to the transmission and swapping out gears?

The 35's placed a noticable amount of strain on my 250k mile transmission.

The transmission is still stock

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[Jb14]

Yes doing the 3.5 /2.5 leveling kit with 35's will require you to do some trimming to the valace and the pinch welds in the inner fender..
But I wanna run 38's so I need to do a 3" body lift .
I have been lazy bc it is some work but I do wanna go bigger in tire size [emoji106]

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I run 35's did have to trim the edges of the valance (very minimal) but never needed to do any pinch welding. No rub no touch

 

[scoot0073]

I run 35's did have to trim the edges of the valance (very minimal) but never needed to do any pinch welding. No rub no touch

If u go trail riding trust me you will have to trim and cut bend the pinch welds in the front fender.
Now if u keep it street only then NO

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