Questions about lifting

02RangerRiley · #1 09-18-2009, 02:50 PM

Hey everyone,
I'm new both as a member of the forum and a ranger owner. I'm 17 and this is my first vehicle. Its a 2WD 2002 Ranger Edge. I'm interested in lifting it about two or three inches, but I don't know much about lifting so I'd like to learn more. However, I DO know the difference between Suspension and body lifts. I am much more inclined towards a Suspension lift despite the difference in cost. If anyone can educate me a little more on the subject I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks,
-02RangerRiley

surfer03133 · #2 09-18-2009, 02:54 PM

well, what are you using your truck for? since you have an edge, a suspension lift will be a bit pricey, you'll have to look at the 4x4 suspension lifts. you could crank your t-bars for free to level it out. if your just driving around town and mild offroading then a body lift would suit you, but if you must have a suspension lift, then look at superlift, rcd, theres a couple others too

Jay FX4 · #3 09-18-2009, 03:12 PM

The RCD lift has been discontinued.

If you want a suspension lift, you're looking at 4+ inches of lift. For the small amount of lift that you want, 2-3 inches, you'd probably be better of with a body lift, and using the $1000+ you save for a hundred other mods to your truck. Sorry, I know that's no help if you're set on a suspension lift. Can't blame you, if I ever lift my truck I'd probably get the Superlift....

STL · #4 09-18-2009, 03:13 PM

Why are u dead set on a suspension lift?

Some suspension lifts for the ranger cost around $1500 - $2000 dollars

You can get a body lift for a 1998 -2000 ranger and it cost around $145 from summit

02RangerRiley · #5 09-18-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay FX4

The RCD lift has been discontinued.

If you want a suspension lift, you're looking at 4+ inches of lift. For the small amount of lift that you want, 2-3 inches, you'd probably be better of with a body lift, and using the $1000+ you save for a hundred other mods to your truck. Sorry, I know that's no help if you're set on a suspension lift. Can't blame you, if I ever lift my truck I'd probably get the Superlift....

No, thats a valid point! Like there a dozens of little things I wanna do to customize it and its not like I'll be doing any heavy rock-crawling... so yeah. haha. Thanks, Man.

02RangerRiley · #6 09-18-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfer03133

well, what are you using your truck for? since you have an edge, a suspension lift will be a bit pricey, you'll have to look at the 4x4 suspension lifts. you could crank your t-bars for free to level it out. if your just driving around town and mild offroading then a body lift would suit you, but if you must have a suspension lift, then look at superlift, rcd, theres a couple others too

Well considering that I would just mostly just be driving it around town, not doing any serious offroading (for now) and I don't have that great of an income... your probably right. A body lift would definately suit my needs for the time being. Thank you.

Tom · #7 09-18-2009, 03:25 PM

A suspension lift for a 2WD edge isn't going to cost thousands unless you are looking for something you can beat on (EG: camburg), which you can't even compare to a body lift.

Body lifts are a good cheap option.

Spindle lifts for your ranger cost around $350-$450.

02RangerRiley · #8 09-18-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL

Why are u dead set on a suspension lift?

Some suspension lifts for the ranger cost around $1500 - $2000 dollars

You can get a body lift for a 1998 -2000 ranger and it cost around $145 from summit

Well its not that I'm DEAD SET on one... just that I've heard some pretty good things about them.

Tom · #9 09-18-2009, 03:29 PM

You could always just do a torsion bar crank, it's free...

Bear · #10 09-20-2009, 08:52 PM

I have the EXACT same truck, and I have a 3 inch body lift. Looks great, adds a bit more height, you don't really have to jack it up to do under car services such as an oil change and stuff. And I didn't pay hardly anything for it. I'd say go with a body lift if you do anything. I love it. What size tires do you havve on there right now?

Rafe · #11 09-22-2009, 09:21 AM

Personally I've heard very good things about Fabtech's Spindle lift option. 3" Spindle lift kit and if you want bigger later on you can buy the 5" upgrade that incorporates the spindle you have already bought from them. So my suggestion would be the spindle lift.
Though if you plan on driving fast and hard down washouts and offroad dirt trails Camburg, H&M Motorsports, and Dixon Bros. may be more in line with that option. I suggest looking at Dirt Alliance and viewing the upgrades on a few of their Rangers.

Fabtech's 3" Spindle being the cheaper option while still upgradable is the better option for the "little at a time" buyer. IMHO.

surfer03133 · #12 09-22-2009, 09:50 AM

well he has t-bars, so the lift would be different than the 5.5 system fabtech sells. you can still get spindles for edge trims. if you get spindles you will need to consider what you are gonna do to the rear end. most people use blocks, but i would suggest getting belltech shackles and bilstein shocks, that's if you do choose spindle lift. i would still recommend a body lift for your application, no changes to the factory suspension geometry or any other major component.

Bear · #13 09-22-2009, 10:19 AM

If a 3 inch lift is all you want then you would be wasting your money on a suspension lift. I mean if you are rolling in money then I'd say go for it. But again I'm gonna vote for the body lift. Much cheaper and it looks good. But it's up to you.

Jay FX4 · #14 09-22-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear

it looks good

...if you modify your exhaust and hitch....

Bear · #15 09-22-2009, 04:18 PM

Yeah. You got a point. But either way nobody wants a lift and then the stock exhaust system. it would just look goofy. that's why I got a dual exhaust. It doesn't sound good and was cheap so I got what I paid for. It's been like two years and one of the pipes is already rusted and has some rust holes /: but hey I paid maybe 140 for the whole thing installed. I didn't do anything to the hitch.. all I have is the back bumper and a trailer ball...