Changing Lifts - looking at Fabtech Zone kits -

[Captain Morgan]

with free shipping!

But seriously, the current lift is a 3" spacer under the read coils and the TB cranked all the way up. The ride is abysmal.

I want to do it right, but not the "$3,000" right. The two kits mentioned are in the $1800 range, and I may not be able to do these myself.

After searching the forum for lift kits, then Fabtech, Zone etc and all those type posts in the suspension sub forum, it looks to me like either kit would be ok.

Would you chose a 4" kit over a 6" kit?

Are there other shocks\components you would go with? I'm open and shopping so feel free to throw some suggestions, just maybe provide a link etc as I may not understand the abbr and nomenclature.

Thanks!

 

[panda24619]

i personally like the 4" rcd lift. allows you to run 35s and it looks good. nvycrmn has that set up and it looks great!

 

[Thermo]

Morgan, lets first start with asking how big of a tire you want to run? That will help with the decision of whether to go wtih the 4 or 6" lift.

From there, you need to be cautious. WA has a bumper height law (lived in Bremerton for 12 years). For the Expy's, it is 29" in the front, 30" in the rear. If you modify the bumpers (ie, lower them), then the state starts measuring from the frame, not the bumper. The frame is even higher than the bumper from the ground. So, modifying the bumper really is not an option if you are attempting to be legal. I ran a 4" Rancho kit with 35x12.5's. I was really close to the bumper height as I measured it. Granted, the only time anything was ever said about the truck was when my 16 year old son was driving the truck. Then once my son explained that I had measured it and it was good, nothing more was ever said or done. I have been since back in WA with the truck on 37's and the 4" lift. Again, nothing was ever said to me about the truck. So, not sure how the cops are in your area.

As for installing the lift, it isn't hard. I have done a few in the driveway. This is what I will tell you though, the higher you can get the truck, the better off you will be. Also, having 2 floor jacks is going to make things a lot easier. The only "stumbling" block you will more than likely run into is the upper bolt for the rear suspension. When the bolt was installed at the factory, it was done with the gas tank out of the truck. This allowed them to install the bolt from the inside, leaving the nut on the outside of the frame. Unfortunately, to do the lift, you have to pull this bolt out. This leaves you 2 options. You can: 1) drop the gas tank to get the bolt out, or 2) use a sawzall to cut the head of the bolt off and then install a new bolt in its place, putting the bolt in from the outside, putting the nut on the inside (this was the option I took).

If you need more assistance, let me know. By the way, if you are contemplating 37's, talk to me first. Installing those tires is by no means a simple "bolt them on and you are good to go". There are a lot of modifications that I had to do to make it work so that I didn't get any rubbing when out 4x4ing.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Thanks Thermo!

I have the 35's on there now and intend to stay that way. I wasn't aware of the bumper law so I will measure it on a flat area and see what the height is. A 4" lift wouldn't probably be ok and less strain on the CV angle etc, and any lift done right has to be better than the way it is now.

I need the ground clearance for the off road and snow, but I also would like a smoother ride as this is my DD in the city for 99% of the time.

This sounds like it would easily be a 2 day job, or maybe a Friday night - Sunday evening job.

 

[Captain Morgan]

i personally like the 4" rcd lift. allows you to run 35s and it looks good. nvycrmn has that set up and it looks great!

Thx Panda. I am not familiar with the RCD stuff and a search doesnt mate up the 4" with an Expedition. I think I'm missing something. I saw one 4" for under $1000 but it said it was for a Jeep.

Do you have a kit number or seller reference that can put me spot on? I'll have a look at nvycrmn's profile.

Much appreciated!

 

[Thermo]

Morgan, for $5000, you can buy my truck and have the lift, bigger tires and new gears all in one shot. LMAO. I have even corrected the engineering flaw with the 5.4L motors since I have sleeved all 8 spark plug holes. I am looking to get out of an expedition and into something a little lower or faster. We will see. I have a few options I am pondering at the moment.

Yes, there is a lot of benefit to doing the actual lift vice the torsion bar tweak. The big one being the reduction of the angle on the CV shafts in front. The only "downside" I have found with all of the lifts is that they drop the support for the back side of the torsion bars. This creates a low point in the center of the truck that I have found is a hang up point. But, if you are looking to just get through deeper snow, then that won't be an issue.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Wow, if only we could have had this conversation 2 weeks ago!! I may have bought your truck.

I didn't know about the issue with the spark plug holes, I may need to research that.

Thx for the info, much appreciated.

 

[mindgame]

Morgan, for $5000, you can buy my truck and have the lift, bigger tires and new gears all in one shot.

NNNOoooooO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nukie is NOT for sale!!!!!

 

[Thermo]

Morgan, the plug issue only seems to be a problem about 5000 miles after a plug change or if you are running an engine with boost. If you ever do have some issues, let me know. I have the kit that I will send out your way. All I ask is you pay for shipping both ways. You would also have to pick up the sleeves. But, they can be had for $13 a hole.

What part of WA are you in? I am getting ready to head out to Bremerton here the end of the month to see the grandkids.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Thx Thermo,

I live in Bellevue. Smack dab in the middle of nowhere if you like camping because it takes a good 2.5 hours to get to anywhere remote from here.

The rig's not boosted and I don't know when the plugs were changes last. I'm going to scour through the service records and see if I can find that done last.

If you pass within orbit of Seattle\Bellevue I'd be happy to join you for a brew or two.

 

[Expeditionary]

i personally like the 4" rcd lift. allows you to run 35s and it looks good. nvycrmn has that set up and it looks great!

the RCD is a 5" panda
navy has the rancho 4"

 

[catmaster25]

Your style

I hope you get a good kit bro, I'm looking into the same for my Expedition. I saw a 5" lift kit and it was like $1400 with shocks. Since its my first project toy. I wanna go 6 inch suspension and would try to install the kit with my cousin.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I'm not shopping ATM, but if you guys do down this path, please documents 9 ways from Dallas