Ford Explorer Lift Kit Install - Fix Spring Sag [E21]

In this episode I tackle my Ford Explorer lift kit install.
Start by disassembling the rear suspension on Project Exploder and then install Procomp add-a-leaf springs and Warrior Lift Shackles to correct the sagging rear springs.
Warrior 153 Lift Shackles: amzn.to/2PsGFbn
Procomp 13120 Add-A-Leaf: amzn.to/2w6O3lS
Instagram: @enginuityofficial
Email: [e-mail]
Merch: enginuity.mysp...

[@Str8sixfan]

Love it man. Your style I believe is built for the long haul. I don't know what that means, other than it shouldn't take you 5 years an 11 months to hit 2500 subs like me! I guess that's my prediction... You'll at the very least get to 2500 faster than me!

[@Enginuity]

Thanks man!!

[@pocoyo915]

Has someone had to change the bushing that goes in the body frame!?

[@TheKingOfHalo]

Nice video. I have lift keys and lift shackles on my 2000 XLT and it’s on 32’s. I’m probably going add a leaf and maxing the torsion bars. I want to convert to coil overs on the front in the near future and maybe SOA for the rear.

[@Enginuity]

Nice! I had originally planned to run coils on the front but got back burnered to the crx project

[@shiftwrenchrepeat]

This was a great video, I’m a mechanic with a similarly sized channel, (2,692 at this time) great content man as a fellow small channel don’t give up! I just picked up a 2000 mountaineer which brought me here, Subscribed and will be watching!

[@Enginuity]

Cool thanks man!

[@bradmccoy4006]

What year is your explorer?

[@darrinsiberia]

Man this video is awesome I'm doing the same thing on a 1997. I am also replacing the eyelet bushing on the leaf spring where it bolts to the shackle. Also my shackles are a 2" lift but not as cool as those Warriors G*! damn!

[@Enginuity]

It’s great how easy these trucks are to lift!

[@dustinwhaley8677]

Hey there, love the videos! I'm a big fan of these ford explorers, and frown upon the too common "exploder" comment.. Anyhow, I'm curious, these are old leaf springs on this explorer of mine should I just buy new leaf springs? Just put in brand new ones? Would it be stronger? Does that one extra leaf spring make all the difference? I also haven't found that extra leaf that you added. I love my car and want the best for her.. Thanks for the videos!

[@Enginuity]

Thanks! I dubbed it the mighty exploder as a means of empowering an insult into a badge of honor. My truck is a survivor and no one can take that from it regardless of the model’s history 👊 So springs... you could certainly replace the springs if you wanted. I used the add a leaf and shackles as an experiment and it worked even better than I had anticipated. Here’s a link to Summit for the add-a-leaf: www.summitracing.com/parts/exp-13120?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiAo5qABhBdEiwAOtGmbj4uNcQyKYnlpKGGBXTypn_1ShJ5vKiVad-ouGENHEsTyzdbNJVfIRoCSPkQAvD_BwE

[@parkerbethke]

Im confused why no one has done this, though I was just thinking about it. How come people don't just flip the axles on these explorers? They come as spring-under axle, if you convert them to spring over with the factory parts (assuming they would work, I don't see why not) then you could get 2.5-3" of lift for completely free. And it would help with clearance in terms of hitting the leafs or shackles.

[@Enginuity]

To flip the axle you’d need to weld spring seat plates onto the axle tube which most people aren’t able or want to do. It also doesn’t cure the sag explorers suffer from the factory springs being soft. But to your point, yea that would net a couple inches of lift. Lot of Explorer guys swap Ranger rears in since they’re axle over but only come drum brake. So there’s really no straightforward “swap”.

[@parkerbethke]

@@Enginuity Did more research and found that a there a lot of spring perch kits for the ford 8.8 rear end, especially bolt on ones. That eliminates the need for welding, so maybe no one does it since its just so unorthodox i assume. I also did not know that the factory springs had a sagging issue, I always figued that was due to shocks or some other factor. Good to know! thanks.

[@Enginuity]

Cool! Most kits I saw were weld on. Good to know, thanks!

[@Chronno81]

UGH~!!!! Could have saved $90! Bought those leaf spring shackles/risers for my 01 sport trac Awhile ago & never used them. Because tightening the torsion bar made the front end too unstable on Pa's shitty roads. took my 05 sport trac for an inspection & they had to replace the rear leaf spring shackles........ If I remembered thats what I already had, could have just given those to them to install instead of stock replacement ones :( At least they are brand new & will come out easily now IF I ever choose to swap them. ty

[@Enginuity]

At least being new they’ll come out easily! I only tweaked the front torsion bars slightly so the truck has a slight rake to it - I haven’t had great luck with lifting trucks on PA roads so didn’t want to go crazy. With the wider wheels and tires the truck feels a lot more stable too. Might be something to try if you haven’t already

[@wtfnetown5049]

I wanted to see before and after from side of vehicle. Good job though

[@Enginuity]

my bad

[@darrinsiberia]

why do you have to take out the shocks to do the add a leaf?

[@Enginuity]

The shock mounts to the lower plate on the leaf pack

[@darrinsiberia]

Nevermind U just loosen the lower half of the shock. I thought you said u took the entire shock out and was confused for a bit.

[@mikecarroll9110]

I have the exact same truck with the exact same issues I already did the spark plugs and I put a new fuel filter and new shocks I just need the leaf springs done, I also had a ball joint issue that needed to be greased and also small exhaust leak , This must be very common for this make and model

[@Enginuity]

Yep, all pretty common stuff for these trucks. Good news is that you take care of that and they’re pretty much bulletproof 🤘

[@mikecarroll9110]

@@Enginuity Yeah my Ford Explorer always starts right up, it has 260,000 miles it runs great just needs that other work done, I appreciate your response

[@Enginuity]

@@mikecarroll9110 hell yea man! They just don’t quit

[@darrinsiberia]

Final question. I noticed when you hammered out the center pin... the leaf springs just kind of fell out when you released the clamps. U think I could get away with doing it without the c clamps? Like whats the worst that would happen. I knock off the center pin and they fall to the ground?

[@Enginuity]

They’re under tension so if you don’t clamp them they can kinda jump on ya. I’d definitely recommend clamping them but if you have room to stand back it’s your call man

[@Enginuity]

How’d you make out?

[@darrinsiberia]

How much clearance / thread did you have left? I want to get this job done today but Im hearing its bad to re use the old u bolts.

[@Enginuity]

Which bolt? The one that held the leaf spring together had to be cut up and couldn’t reuse but the new one I ended up cutting about 2” off of

[@Enginuity]

If you’re talking about the u bolts i reused mine yes. Had about 1/4” stick out past the nuts

[@darrinsiberia]

@@Enginuity yeah the u bolts... mine are pretty clean so i am just gunna re use them. I have that exact same add a leaf it should be fine.

[@Enginuity]

Yea you’re good man to reuse them

[@javiervillegas7105]

Where Did You Get The Lift I Got A Explorer That I Want To Lift

[@Enginuity]

Summit Racing stocks the leaf and shackle kits 🤙

[@jloggins9944]

Can you make a video to show how to max out torsion bars ?

[@Enginuity]

Yep, sure can. Would you prefer something like “let’s try this” or just straight to the point like “step one, step two” 2-3 mins long?

[@jloggins9944]

@@Enginuity I think straight to the point from some who’s educated like yourself will do the job.

[@Enginuity]

You got it - I’ll try to get that put together for ya soon

[@jloggins9944]

@@Enginuity any update on this brother ?

[@Enginuity]

Yep! Will have it out asap. Sorry for the delay

[@Cougracer67]

What was that horrible noise at the beginning?!

[@Enginuity]

You’ll have to be more specific haha