Spacer Lift Fronts 2nd gen

[tallsville]

Yesterday i tried installing a 3.5/2.5 spacer lift by myself. Its possible but not recommended. Could of used an extra pair of hands a few times. The instruction that came with the front spacers kind of suck. Had pictures and said do this do that but weren't all that helpful. Luckily the rear spacer instructions were nice and gave bolt measurements, which was helpful. a list of tools used
1. 30mm(bottom strut bolt), 21mm(steering shaft and top antiroll bar), 19mm(bottom antiroll bar) all 1/2in sockets
2. 14mm(top strut bolts) 10mm(used to hold bolt from spinning) 1/4in socket
3. crescent wrench(also used to stop bolt from turning and to tighten spacer to strut)
4. vice grips(used to turn bolt once the inside bolt started to turn)
5. 2 3ton jack stands
6. 2 ton floor jack

Not going to give a play by play, since must of it is common knowledge(like placing jack stands, loosening lugs on ground before lifting, etc.). Most of the process is fairly easy. I took me like 2hrs on first wheel and about 35minutes on the second wheel. So I'm just going to list the problems that i had.

One major problem was trying to get the anti roll bar loose. I was able to get the nut off but couldn't get the bolt loose from the knuckle. So i had to try and get the bottom bolt that goes through the bottom control arm. That nut came loose to certain point than the bolt started to turn, and since it is in a small area a little bigger than the socket could use other tools to keep from turning. Got it as loose as possible.

The spinning bolt problem happened on several bolts. The upper control and the steering shaft(which i removed just make it easier to deal with strut). It is a simple fix. i used a 10mm socket and with wrench or a crescent wrench to hold the bolt as i used a vise grip to loosen or tighten the nut.

Can use the jack to lift the suspension when trying to put the bolt back into upper control arm.

I tried to do the back suspension as well yesterday but couldn't break the 30mm lower strut nut loose. So its going to my mechanic tomorrow to be finished up. So right now i have a 2nd gen expy with a cali lean/ pre runner look.

Pic 1 is right before beginning
Pic 2 is upper control apart and can see jack stand in background holding up other side of truck
Pic 3 is strut out
Pic 4 is spacer installed on strut
Pic 5 is strut with spacer reinstalled.

 

[tallsville]

Here are some pics before and after.
Pic 1 before
Pic 2 After with cali lean
Pic 3 side view

 

[panda24619]

about damn time. i like it like that though. haha for as much hassle this lift has givin you i bet you could have just called a shock company and they could have custom made you shocks to your specs. haha once you get the rears put together you should come down. i want to do one last horah before selling this thing for good.

 

[mindgame]

hmm... When I installed my truxx 3/2, it was a piece of cake.. All I need to do was to make sure to remove the front sway links, and everything dropped and popped right in...

All in all... You did it

 

[tallsville]

that was the problem mindgame i couldn't get the antiroll/swaybars to let go. otherwise the install would have been easier. i wonder if the extra spacer height made it more difficult since my spacers are a little bigger than the truxx, mine is lifting about 3.5 in were as the truxx is lifting about 2.75. and as far as the back i guess 10 years of build up on made it not want to break loose. but my truck will be done when i get back from vegas. Got to go help rent out gf mothers house. so if any one in vegas knows someone who needs to rent a house.

and btw still jealous of the rize lift you have. hopefully i can find one hidden somewhere when i am able to afford it.

 

[mindgame]

btw still jealous of the rize lift you have. hopefully i can find one hidden somewhere when i am able to afford it.

Thanks... Love it.. but it is starting to become a huge money pit... Due to the increase in height, Rise state that it is ok to use the rear stock shaft... Well over time, the increase in shaft angle stressed out both ujoint and reverse slip yoke on the transfer case side.. I've ordered another shaft with a double cardan....

The price to pay to feel good... bad enough I'm already filling 2x a week..
*sigh*

 

[tallsville]

Got back from vegas last night. and went over to mechanic and picked up the expy. he cursed me because he had trouble getting the rears on. The lower control wouldn't drop down far enough for easy install and when doing it by yourself it is a struggle. But it now has the lift on it. So now im part of the lifted club.

 

[mindgame]

So now im part of the lifted club.

Woohoo!!!! Success!!! Next is tires, maybe lockers, Rize... Should be.. Welcome to the money pit club!!

 

[tallsville]

mindgame already have the tires. im running 285/70/17 or 33" got them in February. Now with lift no rubbing on the inner fenderwell plastic. Now i have my full turning radius back. here is a pic of it lifted. in a small mound on the dirt so doesn't look that lifted.

added a photo so you can see the difference on the street. same place as with the cali lean photos.

 

[Dib52]

Looking good talls, although the Cali lean was unique. Now remove the running boards and make it look taller.

 

[mindgame]

Now remove the running boards and make it look taller.

+1 to that!

 

[JeRsEyReDnEcK86]

hey guys new to the site i wanna lift my 97 expo the cheapest and the right way. any advice on what i can do i have 31s on it now stock

 

[tallsville]

cheapest way is torsion twist on front with 2" spacer lift in rear. and a 3"body lift depending on how high you want to lift it. or find a used lift on ebay or craigslist. if you use the search function on top of page and type in torsion twist plenty of info will come up for you.

 

[tallsville]

adding pics so you can see the progression(i know not same angle, but i hope gives you idea of the amount of lift)
1. original
2. with 285/70/17 stock height
3. with front 3.5in lift installed
4. with with 3.5 front and 2.5 rear

 

[ZeusGT]

Totally agree with removing the running boards! Looks great.

 

[rescuer3]

Anybody got pics of a 2nd gen lifted and running boards removed, been thinking of removing mine.

 

[mindgame]

Anybody got pics of a 2nd gen lifted and running boards removed, been thinking of removing mine.

Just get under and remove the bolts.. Its a piece of cake to remove..

Make sure to use a jack to prop the board so it does not fall onto you... Plus it makes removal/re-installation a snap.. I've done this countless number of times..

 

[tallsville]

look at this link there are some pics of some

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f51/lifted-expeditions-ef-com-picture-post-12903/index13.html

 

[HolidayJones]

Tallsville, what's the deal with rotating the strut 180 degrees? That's what my instructions told me to do

 

[tallsville]

i dont remember my instructions telling me that. But a 180 degree turn would not work. there are 3 studs 120 degrees apart. So if turned 180 it wouldn't line up with the bolt holes.