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  #1  
Old 05-20-2009, 10:23 PM
beaujt beaujt is offline
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Join Date: May 2009
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Default Sticky please! :)

Ok, so i figured i'd start a quick run-down... as there have been TONS of questions about lifting for cheap and how to do it(this is for 4x4) Any input is helpful! especially for the 98-up rangers as i don't know much about them besides the torsion bars, and the 2wd rangers.

the rangers pre-97 have a twin-traction beam system(ttb) thus you can put coil spacers under the coil springs to level it. This can be done with an actual "leveling kit" or go to your hardware store and get some washers. also you can put a block in the back to pick the back up as well. The front can be lifted about 2" max without messing with your brackets. As far as i know, these rangers come with a stock block, so keep that in there too!

the rangers after 97 (98-up) are as far as i know coverted to an Individual Front Suspension(IFS) system. This can be lifted about 2" at max as well by cranking your torsion bars. once again, you can also put a block in the back to pick the back up. The IFS systems are SUBSTANTIALLY more exspensive to lift than the TTB system with regards to actual lift kits. When you crank torsion bars just be sure to not OVERCRANK them. (hence the 2" max on stock suspension)
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93 ranger ext. cab 4.0L auto 6" SJ/custom lift--37" super swamper truxs M/T tires--lock rite locker w/ 4.56 gears up front--warn hubs--exploder 8.8 w/ disc brakes 4.56 gears and detriot locker--one-piece driveline--bushwacker cut-out flares--Bilstein 5150 shocks--2 10" xcite subs w/ 1600W Crunch amp-- tinted windows

waiting for: dual steering stabilizer, put on 3" body lift(in my room), dual shock setup, electric fan, possible SAS with a waggy D44
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  #2  
Old 05-20-2009, 10:35 PM
RangerJustin RangerJustin is offline
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98+ 4x4:
Torsion Bar Crank, 1-2"
Body Lift, 1-3" (1" is custom)
Superlift, 4"
RCD Coilover, 5.5" (discontinued, but may be able to find used)
Dixon Bros LT Kit
Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

98+ 2wd
Torsion Bar Suspension (EDGE, Sport)
Torsion Bar Crank, 1-2"
Body Lift, 1-3" (1" is custom)
Spindle Lift, 3."
Coil Suspension (XLT, XL)
Body Lift, 1-3" (1" is custom)
Coil Spacer, 1"??
Spindle Lift, 3"
Coil Lift + UCA, 2.5-3"
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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.

Last edited by RangerJustin; 05-22-2009 at 09:22 AM.
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  #3  
Old 05-20-2009, 10:48 PM
beaujt beaujt is offline
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rangerjustin you know your stuff about the 98+ haha... i know the 97 and older

TTB system
James Duff Inc.--possibly the best, only rivaled by Skyjacker(SJ) make a 3" and just started a 5.5" lift, very expensive! Make virtually anything you can think of for rangers/bronco II
Skyjacker-- QUALITY, and pretty reasonable, have 2", 4", 6", and 8" available in complete coil(no spacers) with a "stage I or II" kit for 4" and 6" kits. Stage II have extended radius arms and new transmission crossmember. MUCH MORE FLEX! but also pay for that. Also makes an extreme drop pitman arm(spendy) but drops it 4" instead of 2"... i mean a true drop over the stock pitman arm. also has a dual shock set up available
Rough Country-- cheap, but less quality. Very stiff suspension, doesn't improve ride quality much. I wouldn't use it... and it has been heard of punching holes in the front differential(rare but has happened)
Superlift-- good bolt on kit, lines up pretty well, but like rough country shouldn't be used for hard off-roading.
Lots more lifts available... check TRS(the ranger station for more)

Also Body Lifts availiable. any size in custom but aftermarket availability is 2" or 3". ive heard that the body will begin to flex quite a bit at 3" and above(if you dare go above 3" body lift). Pretty cheap alternative to suspesnion lift, and keeps geometrics of suspension in stock condition or cheap add to already existing suspension lift.

Correcting your steering will be your biggest enemy in lifting above 4". you can prolly get away with most at 6" but will almost for sure have to build a custom steering system set-up at 8". Also possible is a SAS. Check TRS once again for best ideas as to which front Solid Axle to use(EB dana 44, xj dana 30, late 70's Ford dana 44, etc...)

I would personally stick with either James Duff or Skyjacker as they are the best quality!
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93 ranger ext. cab 4.0L auto 6" SJ/custom lift--37" super swamper truxs M/T tires--lock rite locker w/ 4.56 gears up front--warn hubs--exploder 8.8 w/ disc brakes 4.56 gears and detriot locker--one-piece driveline--bushwacker cut-out flares--Bilstein 5150 shocks--2 10" xcite subs w/ 1600W Crunch amp-- tinted windows

waiting for: dual steering stabilizer, put on 3" body lift(in my room), dual shock setup, electric fan, possible SAS with a waggy D44
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  #4  
Old 05-24-2009, 01:36 PM
sniper141 sniper141 is offline
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How do you crank the T-bars. I would like to do this, put 2" block in the rear and slap a 2" body lift in so I can throw some 33 or 35s on. Please help! I am a cheap ass.
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  #5  
Old 05-24-2009, 05:11 PM
littleblue littleblue is offline
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Check out Autofab Offroad Trucks. He uses dropped I-beams and has a different variety of setups depending on your budget. He has quality products. Used his stuff on previous BII and Rangers.
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  #6  
Old 05-24-2009, 05:39 PM
TrucknGolf TrucknGolf is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sniper141 View Post
How do you crank the T-bars. I would like to do this, put 2" block in the rear and slap a 2" body lift in so I can throw some 33 or 35s on. Please help! I am a cheap ass.
There are bolts on the torsion bars that you crank up. Easy to do. But make sure you get an alignment afterwards. There is not a 2 in BL that you can get. You can get a 3 in bl for 150 and It will work. You will be able to clear 33s fine. If you have the right backspacing you could maybe fit 35s with a little triming.
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  #7  
Old 05-24-2009, 07:43 PM
Tom Tom is offline
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Appreciate the effort beaujt, the information is pretty clustered to make it a sticky though. Looking for something easier to read, like RangerJustin put together.
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2006 Ford Ranger Sport 4.0 2WD on 32x11.50R15s
-3" Doetsch Spindle Lift


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