1st gen lift kits

Thank you! I remember using bolts a bit longer than stock because that’s what was available at the Quality Fasteners store at the time. But the hardness was greater than stock so I don’t know how the alignment would have possibly broken it. Unless the lift point made contact with the excess length.

Stock length torsion bolts should work fine using lift keys. Grinding the rounded dog points on the bolt ends is recommended so the bolt tips seat into the torsion key "dimples" properly. IIRC, rotating one 60 degree "flat" of the torsion key will give around 3 inches or more of lift or drop.

I believe the biggest mistakes some make when tightening the torsion bolts is leaving the tires on the ground with the front suspension loaded and also not heating the bolt heads to soften the overused factory blue threadlock compound with a torch. Same applies to the body mount bolts. Had a difficult time with the four heavily threadlocked bed bolts. They should not be heated because of the composite bed.

As far as body lifts there is a few makers, there was a time you could drill out hockey pucks and longer bolts but the compound in some are a tad softer now, most poly based are preferred, every truck i have been in has a smoother ride from worn stock mounts and some were resting on frame from wear. Over the years a few guys on here talked about the fun of rusted stock bolts removal and how factory bushings were no longer present. there should be a few threads on here for kits installed.

daninflag said:

I may be out of luck, 2004 could be different.

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https://performancelifts.com/performance-accessories-ford-sport-trac-3-body-lift-kit-70023.html
According to their site, kit fits all 1st gen

I got to serious thinking, I do tow a small camper (18') and a 10' trailer with 2 full size touring bikes, and raising the center of gravity may not be a smart move on my part. There are lots of switchback roads out here, like 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona. Sure would "LOOK COOL" though!

From what i can see your truck already looks cool,,tracs look cool to me with their shape, not just straight and flat and with your shell on it, takes it up a notch.

curtis james said:

From what i can see your truck already looks cool,,tracs look cool to me with their shape, not just straight and flat and with your shell on it, takes it up a notch.

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Thank you Curtis! My Power Wagon has 31s and was thinking it would be nice for both trucks to have the same tire size. I didn't think about the fact, the reason I put 29s on the Ford was to lower the gear ratio slightly to make it more tow worthy! Well neither truck needs tires right now, so I will hold off until they do. I may buy wheels and tires that fit both trucks for playing around in the cinders and romping around. I have a half lift so changing tires is a breeze to do.

daninflag said:

Hi James! I got some Monroe air shocks for 58 bucks (Rock Auto) Since air bags are hard to find that are in my budget these were the deal for me. What do you think about extended shocks and longer shackles? A lift kit might be nice, although I haven't tried cranking up my torsion bars, but saw a 3" lift kit on e-bay I'm considering but wondering if the ride might be harsh,,,,

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Hi James, putting on the air shocks, I noticed the airline can point at the spare or away from the spare. I'm thinking they need to point away, but maybe there is a reason to point them at the spare. What you think?

Hey Dan, back when i used air shocks i ran mine on inside to trunk so it was a location of fill line, but it was on a 68 rs camaro back in the day,,they worked great for larger tires, on my air ride i have a on board compressor so they run up front but principle is same. i do remember that i had leaks and had to tighten the nut with the o ring a few times so ease of access would be another factor. i am interested in how they work for ya so please update..

curtis james said:

Hey Dan, back when i used air shocks i ran mine on inside to trunk so it was a location of fill line, but it was on a 68 rs camaro back in the day,,they worked great for larger tires, on my air ride i have a on board compressor so they run up front but principle is same. i do remember that i had leaks and had to tighten the nut with the o ring a few times so ease of access would be another factor. i am interested in how they work for ya so please update..

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I'm guessing that I don't want the airlines facing the spare, that could cause the air lines to be at a sharper angle as to possibly kink, and lowering the spare could be tricky.

What is the point of an add-a-leaf on the rear axle when the axle is mounted on top of the leaf spring?

As the rear leaf gets weighed down it stiffens the spring so you do not get added sag, it will put more pressure on the arch and it will lift it upwards and the weaker the springs with age etc, it will sag more. it does stiffen the ride but very little feed back.

curtis james said:

As the rear leaf gets weighed down it stiffens the spring so you do not get added sag, it will put more pressure on the arch and it will lift it upwards and the weaker the springs with age etc, it will sag more. it does stiffen the ride but very little feed back.

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Thanks. That is what I thought. I had an old Bronco II, and used an add a leaf to give it a little lift, but that was a spring over axle setup. I just don't understand why I see these front end torsion key lifts kits coming with rear add-a-leaf kits for a 2001 with axle over leaf.

Yea it does get confusing for sure depending on truck,,back in the day it was so easy to lift or lower with a block, jeeps you throw some shackles on and a add a leaf and for 100 bucks you were 3 inches and could get 33s on it but my last jeep was a few grand to lift.

How did the torch kit work out for your buddy? My torch kit arrived today.

He said it rode way nicer, he did tires and bushings etc, he has lifted trucks and for the money it was way cheaper, no issues last i heard, i asked how it handled after all aligned and on freeway and he said it was better then stock.

daninflag said:

I may be out of luck, 2004 could be different.

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I have a 2003 XLT 4WD, and I ordered a Performance Accessories 2001 - 2005 Ford Sport Trac 3" Body Lift Kit # 70023 (PER70023) from Performance Lifts. What I received was exactly the kit linked above, which Performance Accessories claims works for 2001 - 2002. Performance Lifts claims:

This Performance Accessories # 70023 body lift kit fits the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Ford Explorer SportTrac SUTs. Yes, we have verified this 3" Body Lift Kit works on all 2001-2005 SportTrac models and fits both the 2wd and 4wd chassis. PerformanceLifts.com has sold literally hundreds of these lifts over the years and our customers are proof this 70023 kit fits a wider range of model years than the manufacturer states!

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I just posted a question on this exact topic. One way or another, I am going to find out if this kit is compatible.