Shocks for a leveling/spacer lift?

[reece146]

I wasn't going to do this right away but I need to get tires and an alignment to get my new to me Expedition fully licensed. I'll be buying new Lightning wheels and 305/65-18 tires (~34") right away.

Since I need an alignment, I'm looking to buy a levelling kit / spacer kit to get some room in the wheel wells and since that'll need a re-alignment as well. I'm a big fan of "do it once". Can you tell?

The looking around I've done to date seems like no one bothers with new, longer shocks?

I probably need new shocks and was going to find some Bilstein 51XX to install.

Anyone have part numbers for shocks from any brand to work with a 2" - 3" levelling/spacer lift so I can cross-ref to Bilstein part numbers?

Thanks.

 

[AbbadonTD]

When you lift, its more than just longer shocks. In a 4x4 you have to worry about the change in the angles of both driveshafts coming out of the transaxle. If you lift, you need to make this distance longer (to do it right). You also need longer pieces around the control arms and other parts, maybe even for steering.

Albeit, if its only going on paved roads, and its only for look, you are probably fine, but dont plan to 4x4, you you may just slip your driveshaft right out of the differential, or at least find yourself replacing a ujoint.

I have had bad luck (not personally, I have WITNESSED bad luck) with spacers if you plan to go offroad or hit big enough bumps. better to buy new springs than spacers.

 

[AbbadonTD]

oh yeah, and make sure your tires clear the trim 305 may be too big for you to turn [I cant confirm, I am on 265s

 

[reece146]

I would much rather buy new springs but no one makes a 1"-2" lift spring as far as I can tell.

I basically want to lift a touch to clear larger tires but keep the CVs and such within serviceable working angles. Spacers basically move the suspension to a stock location within the working range of the suspension but the additional angle at the CV causes wear to accelerate.

I'm not terribly worried about the propellor shafts. ~2" on a 119" wheelbase is negligible and also within the working range of the OEM suspension. We aren't changing the geometry, just the steady state location of the running gear.

I think the wheels I have in mind will move the tires out far enough to mitigate steering clearance issues but it still requires research to confirm. There's not a lot of choices in wheels - the popular truck wheels are so horrendously ugly nowadays and after 20 years of building up 4x4s I'm done with black steelies on my rigs.

 

[AbbadonTD]

What are you saying about my black steelies? They are hand Spray Painted.

 

[reece146]

Nothing wrong with black steelies. Just tired of them on my rigs.

 

[69Hcode]

The further your wheels stick out, the more sweep they will have. Which will cause them to get closer to the bumper and fender when you turn.

 

[reece146]

I've been looking around and it is a mod that has been done on F150s without issues. Worst case I'll need to massage/cut the inner fender and bumper.

 

[AbbadonTD]

Should work and look good then, you seem to have all the bases covered and you are not lifting too much. I have an Air Lift now, that may help with leveling without replacing the springs. Just a suggestion, since you are not having luck finding springs.