4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Ford Escape

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Expert: - 6/17/2011


Question
Carl
I have an older (2003) Escape. Last vehicle inspection I was told it needed new shocks.
Is it possible to get shocks that would raise the height of the vehicle without doing other modifications? Also, can a major chain of repair shops dp this? I live in Canada so I was thinking Canadian Tire. Now that its older I plan on using it more as a 'beater' and taking it on fishing and hunting trips and on rough roads, etc. I also just like the look of a higher SUV. Thanks!

Answer
Bud,
You may be able to get heavy duty/overload shocks that will help the suspension, but this will not really lift the vehicle.  

I would contact some of the shops in your area and see what the cost of a body lift or cheap insert type suspension lift would be.  You may be able to get a 2" or so lift fairly reasonable.

Many repair shops can install simple lift kits as most of the small lifts are quite simple and only require basic tools.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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