Educate me please...

[TheGuyWho]

Hi guys. Can you steer me in the right direction (parts, companies, etc...)

I just got a 2002 4x4 XLT Expedition. I had some questions about lifting it. I don't want a monster truck, I want safe, actual off-road capable suspension. I just want to slap some bigger tires on it (maybe 33inchers). This is my first off-roading truck, so Im a total noobie when it comes to this stuff. I own an 04 Lightning, but they are no where near close in comparison. Trying to learn as I go...

What should I look into? Like I said I want it mild. Maybe just a shock change? I don't know... There's so much information on here I get lost in the search bar.

 

[panda24619]

so since yours is an 02 if you want 33s you dont need a lift. you can fit 33s just fine. if you want a good lift do a torsion crank and spacer in the rear. get you anywhere between 2-3 inches. at the cost of about $75 for the spacer. TC is free. you can fit 35s with minor trimming if you want a good not too pricey lift any bigger go rancho or rcd. they make good lifts. you can fit 35s under there with no rubbing. or you can do a 6" lift and go with fabtech. then theres body lifts. what im going to do is get the spacer to finish my lift put 35s on and do a body lift. giving me about 5" of lift. a lot of people have done that on here. but since you want basic just do torsion crank rear spacer and put 34s on it. that way you wont have to do trimming. and youll be ready to go. any more questions just ask.

 

[treycool94]

if you got the $$$ get the rancho 4in that will fit 35"s

 

[walnuts4x4]

pssshhhh rancho..... LOL go fabtech...

yeah what has been said is the basics for lifting a expy... most common lift configuration is a 3" Body lift and coil spacer with torsion bar crank and run a set of 315/75r16 on stock or 8" wide rim....

then a few have the 4" rancho suspension lift and 35s... some also add a body lift....

or if your brave or crazy go with a 6" fabtech + 3" Body lift + 2" coil spacer/torsion keys... then you could fit up to a 40" tire... but I am running 37x12.5 so I dont have to worry about rubbing even during hard flex...

If you want bigger you'd have to go with whiplash or fullthrottle which are "show only" lifts or go with a solid axle swap

 

[TheGuyWho]

Very helpful. Thanks guys!

Like I said I don't want a monster truck. All I knew of was FabTech and Rancho anyways… Haha, but I like what Im hearing. Minimal costs to achieve the results I want. Looking for no more than 4" of lift, but 1-2" of lift would be ideal.

This might be the wrong place to ask this, but does anyone have pictures of an Expy with 33's and 35's so I could see the difference? Thanks.

Also Im planning to put an 18" rim on it. I think 20's might just be too big for what I want...

 

[TheGuyWho]

Curious… Is this what you guys were referring to when you said "TB"??


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SJA-F301KE/

Thinking I may pair this with a set of Rancho RS5000 shocks.

 

[TheGuyWho]

By the way, I emailed "Rancho" last night about their lift kits, specifically the 4" lift kit... They replied this morning and said they no longer produce the 4" lift kit for the Expeditions 02 and older... Its discontinued!


Will a 34" tire or 35" tire fit with just a two inch lift or do you have to go to 4" to fit those bad boys?

 

[panda24619]

thats a torsion key. you have stock ones. your better off just cranking the stock ones. i did this. but mark the bolts before you turn them so you can do it evenly on both sides. http://www.ehow.com/how_5100584_crank-torsion-bar.html your better off cranking the stock ones too b/c for the price of those its not worth trying to get those in. and rancho dosen't make them but sites still sell them if they still have them. theres a couple sites out there that have them. and you can fit 34s or 35s on just a 2" lift. you will have to do some trimming on the plastic bumper and or step side. but a body lift will help that out.

 

[TheGuyWho]

Trimming??? As in cut pieces of the truck off?

So the Torsion keys I don't need because I can just crank the stock ones? How will this affect the ride? Stiffer? I mean Im planning to do new Rancho RS5000 shocks anyways, but I don't want to make the ride super stiff. If there is a better option Im all for it. And I would still need the spacers in the rear correct?


Do you know of any websites that are still selling the Rancho 4" lift kit?

 

[panda24619]

trimming like grinding the plastic piece off the bumper. nothing metal. its easy to do. some people have it done and could pics if they want. haha it will make the ride stiffer but the new keys will make it stiffer too. but new shocks should help. just make sure you get 2" longer shocks. and idk a site. i cant find it anymore. walnuts might know. he knows everything! haha

 

[TheGuyWho]

Hahaha, ok. Well as far as grinding things down, especially the bumper, I actually wanted to get a full replacement bumper. Something like an ARB bumper with a winch, etc.. Heavy duty…
Well I was looking at the Rancho shocks because it seems like a lot of people on here and other site go with them as stock replacements. Is there another shock that is just as good or better, but around the same price? I know I have Bilstein shocks on my Lightning and they're absolutely awesome!

So where does everyone shop around here? eBay? Hahaha Or is there a preferred website?

 

[panda24619]

ebay. thats about it. haha or amazon. and bumpers there arnt to many out there but there are some heavy duty ones! and winch compatible too. i like bilsteins but pricey. still good though. i want to get Fox shox on mine.

 

[walnuts4x4]

cranking the TB will cause the ride to be a little stiffer but I really don't feel the difference especially after putting on heavier tires....

For shocks... I would just shop around for the best deal.... I have had Procomps, fabtechs and ranchos and they have all done the same thing... reducing ocilation (sp?) basically they stop your springs from bouncing... otherwise you would ride like a slinky without the shocks...

as for finding a lift kit.......

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/fd4_expedition.htm

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/rancho-lift-kit.aspx

http://offroadwarehouse.com/product.../year/1999/make/Ford/model/Expedition/sfID1/4

http://www.desertrat.com/categories/?id=4499

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...uspension-w-Shock.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=38&t_pt=5491




a few that I can think

 

[jacks3am]

who cares about lifts,all the clearance in the world wont help if you dont have traction, i would suggest sinking 700 bucks into an auburn gear ECTED locker/limited slip. you will have a limited slip for regular/snow/mud and a selectable locker for extra traction when you need it.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetra...=5589&t_pl=9664&Axle_PQ=Ford+8.8in.+31+Spline

 

[panda24619]

the works if you have the 8.8 axle. not if you have the 9.75. were limited. detroit arb lsd open. thats about it. im getting a detroit rear and arb front eventually!

 

[TheGuyWho]

who cares about lifts,all the clearance in the world wont help if you dont have traction, i would suggest sinking 700 bucks into an auburn gear ECTED locker/limited slip. you will have a limited slip for regular/snow/mud and a selectable locker for extra traction when you need it.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetra...=5589&t_pl=9664&Axle_PQ=Ford+8.8in.+31+Spline

Wait, what's in there now? Is it that typical crappy Ford one wheel spin slip differential?

On the other hand it seems like it would be overkill really. I mean if I knew I was going to be trail driving or going to the sand all the time I definitely agree and think it would be worth it. But if I'm not planning to do any of that on a frequent basis it seems like a waste of money to me.

 

[panda24619]

well for snow/ice you dont want a full locker. you want the one wheel spin if you hit black ice. so a LSD is what you want in ice. works great and not that much to buy. i dont think. and the LSD that ford has put in the rear of these things kinda suck. i went on a trail with a 2wd expo and he had a lsd. didnt do crap for traction for him! wht ever!

 

[jacks3am]

well for snow/ice you dont want a full locker. you want the one wheel spin if you hit black ice. so a LSD is what you want in ice. works great and not that much to buy. i dont think. and the LSD that ford has put in the rear of these things kinda suck. i went on a trail with a 2wd expo and he had a lsd. didnt do crap for traction for him! wht ever!

swap in an 8.8 and get that locker! i want it bad its a limited slip until you switch on the locker now thats awesome!

you should probally just focus on getting some good offroad shocks, and some good all terrain tires, the biggest size you can fit and you should be fine

 

[nvycrmn]

locking it should be the least of your worries. unless you plan on doing some serious offroading, lockers will be a waste of money. get a 3" body lift, throw on some good 35" mud tires and call it good. you dont need to replace the bumper, you can get a hidden winch mount from warn (like i have) and mount the winch behind your bumper. if you look close at my sig you can see it. I will try to post up some pics, if i can find them.

 

[Canadian Expy]

I've got 2" keys and 2" rear spacers + 3" body 35" tires
I got pics of mine here http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=6869