Shocks with lift?

[Retto4]

Hi, new to the forum. I was thinking about lifting our 2004 EB Expedition. 3.5" in the front and 2.5" in the back. With this lift will I need new shocks or will the factory ones be ok? Thanks

Here is a link to the lift: Lift Kit Nylon B Front 3 5" Rear 2 5" Expedition 03 11 2WD 4WD | eBay

 

[FordandPolaris]

Kind of depends what you think of when you say shock. If you mean coil and strut together, then no it should be fine. The spacers just go on top of the strut against the strut tower. If you mean will the stock shocks inside of the coils be ok, then it depends if you go with bigger tires. Never hurts to replace them, but I imagine they would be ok for a while depending how worn they are now.

 

[mindgame]

Hi, new to the forum. I was thinking about lifting our 2004 EB Expedition. 3.5" in the front and 2.5" in the back. With this lift will I need new shocks or will the factory ones be ok? Thanks

Here is a link to the lift: Lift Kit Nylon B Front 3 5" Rear 2 5" Expedition 03 11 2WD 4WD | eBay

You will be fine... However... I am more partial to Steel spacers vs. Nylon.

 

[tallsville]

+1 with mindgame Im running the 3.5/2.5 steel spacers with the stock struts/shocks

 

[Retto4]

ok thanks. It has a 133k on so i'll probably just replace them but i seems like the factory ones will be ok until I can get new ones under there. and yeah I found one on there last night that was all steel; i'd much more prefer that.

as for tire size, I read a post where I guy put 285/75/17 (34x11.50) on with the same amount of lift and said it rode well but felt a smidge top heavy. If I put 305/70/17 which is a 34 but is 12.3" wide, will it eliminate that feel?

 

[FordandPolaris]

ok thanks. It has a 133k on so i'll probably just replace them but i seems like the factory ones will be ok until I can get new ones under there. and yeah I found one on there last night that was all steel; i'd much more prefer that.

as for tire size, I read a post where I guy put 285/75/17 (34x11.50) on with the same amount of lift and said it rode well but felt a smidge top heavy. If I put 305/70/17 which is a 34 but is 12.3" wide, will it eliminate that feel?

I doubt it, you are still sitting just as high. The top heavy feeling comes from the suspension being compromised from stock. Any lifted truck is going to have a little more suspension roll and therefore feel more top heavy than before.

I would still go with the 305's anyways. Wider is better in my world.

 

[Retto4]

One more question? Will this kit put too much stress on the suspension components? for example, ball joints, tie rods, ect? I have a 1997 f150 2wd and it has a 2" level coil spring spacer kit on it. And reading on f150 forums they said not to go over 2" or you'll need aftermarket control arms and longer shocks. Even on the 04-08 model f150's which I think use the same lift method as my expedition, they advised not exceeding 3" for f150's. So is 3.5" too much or is it safe on everything?

 

[mindgame]

In the past when I had the 3.5/2 spacers with 305s, the only thing that got out of wack was alignment..

After I realigned the wheels, never had CV, tie, or ball joint issues.

When I went to 8", I'm eating the upper controllers like chocolate.. Then again, I'm hitting the trails much harder than normal

 

[Retto4]

Oh that's good. But I think I've decided on getting just the 3" front 2" back and putting some 33x12.50 Toyo M/T mounted on 18" XD Monsters. I think that would look pretty sick. But will I regret that .5"? Too many choices. Lol

 

[xtamer]

did your alignment go out often? like if you hit it hard off road or just after you put the spacers in?

 

[mindgame]

But will I regret that .5"? Too many choices. Lol

Not sure if you'll regret it.. But I would have, knowing I could have tweaked it .5 more... After all.. If you are going to lift, might as well go big or go home

 

[mindgame]

did your alignment go out often? like if you hit it hard off road or just after you put the spacers in?

Nope.. Alignment was solid after installation of the spacers... After initial installation, you'll see as slight positive camber. Atleast in my Gen2 there was..