Help, please...want to lift 2010 Ranger Sport 4x4

skf · #1 07-22-2010, 11:34 AM

Hi all,

First of all, if this thread is in wrong location, please let me know. I am a somewhat new member. Joined several months ago, after ordering my current truck (2010 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4). Took almost five months to get her delievered to Germany (Army, stationed here).

So, here is what I am trying to do: lift my truck, not too much though (3" max). I know I'll need bigger tires. Currently have stock (Goodyear P255/70R16).

My situation: Stationed in Germany (till November 2013). Limited (VERY LIMITED) places off post to purchase ANY truck accessories. However, www.autozone.com rocks (ship free to military overseas). Have somewhat limited tools, but can go to Auto Craft Shop (bunch of bays, lifts and tools provided for low price of $4.50/hr). Mechanical knowledge is average (worked as a Millwright Apprentice (Industrial) for right over a year before joining Army (after 9/11), so I do know my way around tools somewhat (no welding though, as I really am pathetic with a welder)).

Anyone with any suggestions on what sort of lift to get, please let me know. Been looking at both suspension and body, but after some research, feel body would suite my purposes pretty good (not cheap, just frugal), and only do limited off-roading. Please keep in mind that I'll be trying to install it myself, with some friends, and a case or so of Bud Light...

In regards to finances, married with three kids. Wife does not want me to go overboard, so...

Any info, first hand experiences, tips are very much appreciated. Still a country boy at heart (East Tennessee), so can't have a 4x4 that looks like someone just put the 4x4 sticker on for giggles.

Thanks,

Steve

dixie_boysles · #2 07-22-2010, 12:08 PM

Well the good thing about Rangers is that they have been the pretty much the smae truck since 98 as far as susmension and everything goes.

With Rangers, you I think there is only one suspension being offered right now and that is the 4" Superlift. However that is gonna run you quite a bit of money (around $1200-$1600). For a good price you can order a 3" body lift from with Summit Racing or Performance Accessories. They will run you around $150-$180 depending on the kit you get.

Performance Accessories:
http://www.performanceaccessories.com/catalog/ford.htm

Summit Racing:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...r%20lift&dds=1

here are a few trucks with just BLs:

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1277240822

dixie_boysles · #3 07-22-2010, 12:09 PM

Any lift 98+ should (Im fairly certain) work as long as you get it for the right cab size and all.

01_ranger_4x4 · #4 07-22-2010, 12:10 PM

i moved this to the lifted section, you should get more responses here.

edgeman4.0 · #5 07-22-2010, 12:21 PM

Get the summit brand bodylift. $165 shipped to my front door. A quick and easy 3 inches of lift. In order to fit 33's on your truck you'll need to pre key and add blocks. The search button is your friend in this case.

dixie_boysles · #6 07-22-2010, 12:28 PM

i dont know how new you are to trucks and stuff like that, but when he says "prekey" he means you need to get an older model year torsion keys to raise it up even more. in like 08, Ford started putting different torsion keys in them that make them sit lower (We presume for gas mileage standards). THey also made shorter blocks for them. And on some models, the 4x4s are even coming with 235 tires instead of the 245 or 255 there were getting. The one good thing you have that we dont have is the fact that your truck has rear disc brakes.

skf · #7 07-22-2010, 01:29 PM

All,

Wow, lots of great info, and really quick (less than two hours since I posted original message)!

I will look over the links. So far, really liking the body lift over suspension lift. All BS aside, how difficult is body lift versus suspension lift (doing yourself, average mechanical knowledge) on new truck?

Thanks!

Steve

skf · #8 07-22-2010, 01:35 PM

Dixie,

WOW! First off, sweet ride! I looked up the stuff on SummitRacing.com. Less than $200, can that be right for 3" bodylift? I knew they were cheaper than suspension, but by that much? For a price that low, could get bodylift and bigger wheels and tires. Wow!

Thanks,

Steve

More_Cowbell · #9 07-22-2010, 04:12 PM

all a body lift is is switching out the bushings that mount your cab and bed to the frame and putting longer bolts on it so basically all you will need it a jack (or a lift if you can get to one) and a couple of sockets and some time only specialty tool you will probably need is a torx head bit big enough to fit the bed bolt
also it should come with brackets to move your stock bumpers upward aswell

DisturbedESV · #10 07-22-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgeman4.0

Get the summit brand bodPylift. $165 shipped to my front door. A quick and easy 3 inches of lift. In order to fit 33's on your truck you'll need to pre key and add blocks. The search button is your friend in this case.

Pretty sure his truck is the same as mine in which case you technically don't need the prekey and blocks to fit them but you will sit 1"-2" shorter than 07 or older trucks. I recommend a prekey and leave the stock rear blocks. You'll still be about an inch shorter than older trucks but it'll be almost perfectly level.

STL · #11 07-22-2010, 05:38 PM

This truck is not body lifted or lifted at all just larger tires.

skf · #12 07-23-2010, 11:01 AM

Great info here, everyone! Been looking at all the various sites, and liking what I have been seeing. My wife brought up a valid point. A lift, such as 3", without getting bigger tires, will look silly. So, I'm going tomorrow to Auto Craft Shop and leveling the front (torsion bars). Been looking at all the posts on that, and looks like it will be a good first step. My next step will be to get some new tires (want to keep same wheels I currently have, which have 255/70r16 tires on them). So, will look for some off road tires, just to give the truck that 4x4 look. After I do that, will work on lift (may wait till after holidays). I really love the truck, and I have always loved Ranger's. Sort of bugs me though, my 2005 Ranger Edge (3.0 two wheel drive) looked more like an off road truck than the 4x4 I have now (2010). After I crank the torsion bars up tomorrow, will post some pics. After that, any opinions on what to do to the truck will be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for the info!

Steve

stephen.g.fiddes · #13 07-23-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by More_Cowbell

all a body lift is is switching out the bushings that mount your cab and bed to the frame and putting longer bolts on it so basically all you will need it a jack (or a lift if you can get to one) and a couple of sockets and some time only specialty tool you will probably need is a torx head bit big enough to fit the bed bolt
also it should come with brackets to move your stock bumpers upward aswell

Torx T55 socket should get the job done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisturbedESV

Pretty sure his truck is the same as mine in which case you technically don't need the prekey and blocks to fit them but you will sit 1"-2" shorter than 07 or older trucks. I recommend a prekey and leave the stock rear blocks. You'll still be about an inch shorter than older trucks but it'll be almost perfectly level.

X2

fourliterdan has no BL on his 01 xlt 4x4 offroad, and fits 33's fine, so on an 08+, 33's should fit to problem with a BL, even without the pre-key mod (although it's definately the preferred method... Swap your torsion bars to #1 bars while your at it too, unless you already have them.)

99offroadrngr · #14 07-24-2010, 01:31 PM

STL is completely incorrect about that yellow edge. That truck IS body lifted. This happens when people don't research or read about someone else's truck before whoring it out in another thread.

Front core support body lift block clearly present in this picture

You should know, since you have a bodylift STL, that these are key hints/giveaways to a body lifted truck.

Post #14 of this thread
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/vehic...els-tires.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz921

STL: Yeah, those are the 32 X 11.5

01DangerRanger: My truck is the blue one, this one is my girlfriends truck and it has a 3 inch body lift as well.

STL...

lol
/hack

RangerLuc · #15 07-24-2010, 04:55 PM

wow...u really went above and beyond to make it clear that myke was wrong lmao