Lifting 99 Expo! Need advice!

[bryce541]

Hey guys. I've done some looking around on this forum and have seen quite a few nice lifted Expeditions. I just got mine (first vehicle, I'm 16) and i am really interested in lifting it.

I think i have decided on a 7.5 inch Fabtech suspension lift. I have a '99 XLT. Does anyone have experience with this lift? Any problems? Also, will i need anything other then the lift kit itself? I plan on getting wheels first so that is already out of the way.

Sorry if they are stupid questions. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Canadian Expy]

Hey guys. I've done some looking around on this forum and have seen quite a few nice lifted Expeditions. I just got mine (first vehicle, I'm 16) and i am really interested in lifting it.

I think i have decided on a 7.5 inch Fabtech suspension lift. I have a '99 XLT. Does anyone have experience with this lift? Any problems? Also, will i need anything other then the lift kit itself? I plan on getting wheels first so that is already out of the way.

Sorry if they are stupid questions. Thanks for all the help guys!

IS the Expy 2wd ? cause that kit is for that . if it's 4wd then 6" kit

 

[Lane24]

Don't do it inside your garage.lol.... You'll never get out.

 

[bryce541]

It is a 2WD. And I wouldn't dare try it in my garage. I barely have clearance now!

I also had a question regarding body lifts. Everywhere I look there seems to be mixed feelings on body lifts. Some people like it just fine an others say its awful. But most lifted vehicles I see have both suspension AND body lifts. Can body lifts have a bad effect on the truck?

I appreciate the feedback guys. Hopefully I can get this going about Christmas time

 

[Lane24]

Had my body lift on for 4 or 5 years now. No problems except how awesome it looks.

 

[Canadian Expy]

No problems with my Body lift , I've bought Fabtech's 6" lift for my 4wd and kit looks good, it would look better if I'd find time to put it in

 

[whowey]

First.. check your state's lift laws. You don't want to put a ton of work into it and run afoul of Johnny Law your first day out of the driveway.

With body lifts many times the 'kits' aren't complete. When you lift the body away from the frame, you may need to extend anything that goes into the body from the frame/running gear. Wires, cables, shifter levers, EVERYTHING may need to be extended.

With a body lift also you now have all the weight in the body now being carried by only the body mounts and the handful of bolts holding them in place. This is a much larger issue with a pick-up truck rather than an Expy, but the idea remains.

Then there is the gap between the frame and body after a body lift. They can look pretty tacky if its large. Some folks will put fillers into the gap to cover it up.

 

[Lane24]

If you buy the Performance accessories Body lift... all extensions are included. They also make gap guards to hide the gap ... about $80.


Body lift Without gap guards




Body lift With gap guards

 

[Thermo]

Bryce, I have installed the 7.5" kit on an F-150. The kit was pretty completely. Nothing left out that I could tell. But, if you are doing this yourself and it is your first kit, plan on having the truck down atleast 2 days. If you know what you are doing, you can get the lift done in 12 hours. If not, you are looking closer to 18 hours to install. Also, the driver's side rear is going to make you cuss up a storm. In short, the factory installs 1 bolt such that you can't get it out unless you drop the gas tank. Option 2 is to cut the head of the bolt off (but now you are buying a new bolt). Your call. When I did the lift on my truck, I cut the head of the bolt off as my kit came with new grade 8 bolts (but that was a Rancho kit for a 4x4).

Something else to ponder is finding a truck with a lift on it already. I am looking to sell my Expy and it would sit as tall as what you are looking at doing and I am already running 37x12.5" tires. Mine is also 50 state legal (used to do a lot of moving around, so, I ensured I would be good).

 

[bryce541]

Lane24, what body lift do you have? Looks good! But if I'm planning a suspension lift also should that be done first?

Whowey, thanks for the info, it helped!

Thermo, thanks for the install info. Would it take up to 12 hours if I take it to a shop? But I'm sure the cost to have someone else put it in will be absolutely ridiculous. Should I just dive in myself? Considering I have no idea what to do other then the instructions.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I picked the right forum to join!

 

[bryce541]

This is what I'm working with. Everything is stock. Besides a Kenwood head unit and two Rockford Fosgate P3 12's

 

[Lane24]

Lane24, what body lift do you have? Looks good! But if I'm planning a suspension lift also should that be done first?

!

It's the Peformance Accessories 3 inch body lift. I also have rear coil spacers and a torsion crank on the front.. Here's a link to the Body Lift and gap guards. Lots of places you can buy them. This is just the first place that came up when I googled it. . http://www.4-wheel-drive-lift-kits.com/873-pa-1997-02-3--ford-expedition----body-lift-kit.html

 

[bryce541]

Okay thanks.

Would you mind explaining to me rear coil spacers are? And a torsion crank?

 

[Lane24]

Check out this link to a thread where we are all talkin about it...

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f47/...on-twist-tomorrow-i-need-clarification-15931/

There are tons of threads on the subject...

 

[Thermo]

bryce, a shop will get it done in 10-12 hours since they have a lift and all the necessary tools and have done a few lifts. You can plan on them charging you about $800 to install the lift (the lift would be up and above that).

I did my first lift based off of directions only. But, I also had access to a full garage with tools like a tranny jack and whatnot. I did the lift install myself. But, if you don't have the full garage, you will need a second person there with you. TRUST ME!!!!!! Balancing the rear axle is no easy trick on a jack. Granted, for $4000, you can get my truck that is all done, 4x4, and has a bunch of power mods added to it too. Been regeared and the whole 9 yards.

 

[bryce541]

Sounds like a great deal for your truck, unfortunately I must remain with the one I have. It has been in the family to long to get rid of.
If I plan on having a suspension and body lift, which should be done first? Or does it not matter?

 

[Thermo]

bryce, you can do either first. It doesn't matter. They are completely independent of each other. The body lift will get you some height for little to no money. But, then you may find yourself doing 2 sets of tires if there is some time between the two.

 

[whowey]

Florida Lift Laws | Vehicle Modification Rules

quickie look at the florida lift laws

 

[bryce541]

Thanks for all the great info and input guys! I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to post before and after pics when I begin!
One more quick question!
Will 35's look small on the expo with 7.5 suspension lift and 3 inch body lift? I've seen them on expo's with just 3 inch body lift. I'm just not sure to go bigger or not.
Thanks again guys.

 

[Lane24]

10.5 inches of lift may make 35's look small. They look perfect with 5 inches. Look up Walnuts4x4 's gallery. Just do a member search on this forum for him. I think he has about 11 inches I think and runs 37's. Looks about right.