Well, you can just call me Keybo.........I have a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT Super cab, 3.0 V6 (2 Wheel Drive). It is fully stock and plain jane! I need to do some "low cost" upgrades to it or get rid of it and I do not want to do that!

Now, call me crazy......but I love the look of a lifted truck and even though my Ranger is only a "2WD", I want to lift it! I will never take it in the mud, just want the look! My Fiance's family all have lifted trucks, including her........2005 Hummer H3 (she has a 3 inch suspension lift with 37 x 12.50 Dick Cepek's, needless to say it is gorgeous!)

Anyways, I am not "knowledgable" when it comes to this kind of stuff and will have friends or professionals do some stuff to it..............I just need some advice. I have seen alot of gorgeous Rangers on this site today and know that this is what I want!

Question 1: How should I lift it? Suspension, body or both?

Question 2: How high should I go with it? I am thinking just 3 inches, but would like to hear your thoughts!

Question 3: Then, what size tires do I need? I was thinking something like a 31 to a 33?

Question 4: Does anyone know anyone or where I can get a cheap toneau cover?

That's about it for now, Thank you all for any opinions or help that you can offer!

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It's Stock......

2003
3.0 V6 2wd
XLT Package
Super cab
Black and Basic

"I have got to Lift it!"

welcome,,no body lifts go a 3" leaf or shackle and coil or spindle up front, tires 33 inch will fit nice. as for a good price on a cover try craigslist a lot of guy get a used truck and hate the cover or trade in a pull the cover you can get a soft for under 100

curt

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lots of ranger parts for sale leftovers from my 94/96
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custom billet parts by me intake adapters and billet steps for the step sides

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Thank you for responding..........so you don't think that a body lift is a good idea? Cool....... about how much would it cost for someone to install a suspension lift?

__________________
It's Stock......

2003
3.0 V6 2wd
XLT Package
Super cab
Black and Basic

"I have got to Lift it!"

Since you are not wheeling it, a body lift is fine, just get gap guards. I prefer the 3" spindle as it is easy to put on, did mine in about 4 hours on my last truck. Then toss on some lift shackles in the back for about 1.5 in back, if you want more lift in the back then go with an AAL since you already have a lift block in there from the factory. With your suspension you can get 33s in there with the 3" spindle nicely. And definitely check craigslist for the tonneau, you will find them for more than 50% off retail for the most part.

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

Oh post up some pics too so we can suggest some low cost add-ons that will give it a better look.

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

Although body lifts are definitely not for looks, that still might be your best option, and will be the least expensive. If you're not going to be wheeling, I would not recommend a suspension lift That would cause unneeded stress on your suspension components and driveshaft, which would be hard to justify if you're not wheeling the truck. There are quite a few drawbacks to a body lift but it does the job - and keeps your stock suspension happy. But for the record I'm personally not a big fan of body lifts.
Any 3" lift will provide room for 33" tires. I'd go with 33's because that will give you some extra lift, and if you're going to get bigger tires, you might as well go as big as you can.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ dılɟ

Are you looking for a hard or soft cover?

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ dılɟ

Thank you for your help and yes, I will post some pics soon........Please forgive my ignorant self, but I am kind of confused.......I guess it is "to each his own" but putting a spindle lift under it is not the same as a body lift, right? or is it? The first guy that replied, suggested to do a spindle lift and then you suggested a body lift.........so I am really confused! Once again, I am new to all this stuff........this would also be my first truck and I love it, I have had it for 3 years now and I am starting to get bored with it, which is why I want to modify it!! But is a spindle lift different than a body lift? or with a body lift, do I need to change the spindles?

Here is a question, I know that body lifts are significantly lower in cost than a suspension lift, right? If I took it to a local "truck" guy, who does this stuff for a living.........how much do you think it would cost me?

I am sorry for being so "truck dumb", but I am just trying to figure some things out!!

Thank you for your help!

__________________
It's Stock......

2003
3.0 V6 2wd
XLT Package
Super cab
Black and Basic

"I have got to Lift it!"

Preferrably a hard, but if I can not get that I would not mind finding a "good" soft cover!

__________________
It's Stock......

2003
3.0 V6 2wd
XLT Package
Super cab
Black and Basic

"I have got to Lift it!"

Spindle lift is a suspension lift. It will not hurt your suspension as the spindle is the same size as the stock spindle, the only thing that changes is the snout that the rotor mounts to is 3" lower giving 3" of lift. Body lift needs nothing changed other than what comes in the kit, the mounts and hardware.

Body lifts tend to get charged a lot as it is more labor intensive. I did the spindle lift in my buddy's garage in a few hours. THe body lift takes about a day with muiltiple people.

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

Oh ok, thank you for clarifying! I think a spindle lift then sounds like the way to go!!! I appreciate your help! I took some pictures of her, but have yet to get them on here.........I will have them by tomorrow!!

__________________
It's Stock......

2003
3.0 V6 2wd
XLT Package
Super cab
Black and Basic

"I have got to Lift it!"

welcome