Have a 97 Ford Ranger Xlt and I ordered a lowering kit from bell tech. When I bought the kit I swear it said it would fit my truck but I evidently did something wrong when I was filtering my search results because I had a lowering kit for a 98 ford ranger. After looking everything up everything is an exact fit except for the lowering leaf springs. The kit for the 97 calls for a 4" lowering leaf spring. The kit for the 98 is a 3" lowering leaf. I measured the leaf and everything seems to be the right size and in the same location. The part number I have is Beltec 5980 and the truck calls for Beltec 5960. Can anybody give me any advice. Will it work? Will it need to be altered? I don't care if truck sits higher by an inch in the back right now it is sitting level. Thanks for any information.

why don't you just call belltech?

Nothing in the rear end of the truck changed between those years, so I don't see why it wouldn't fit. Maybe it has something to do with how much the i beam trucks can be lowered versus the control arm trucks? Idk. I'd just give them a call and see if they can give you an intelligent answer.

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I've tried calling their 800 number. I bought lowering kit from Andy's Auto if it's not interchangeable I wonder if I can just call Beltec and mail them leafs and get new leafs. I guess I will have to wait until Monday and see. I wanted to start this weekend but until I know for sure I'm not opening box.

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I'm curious I've never dropped my own vehicle. I've bought one already dropped. I wonder how noticible a 3" drop will be to me. I hope by purchasing a quality lowering kit I keep that factory ride feel.

Leaf Springs should work. As mentioned nothing changed in the rear suspension in those years, the ride quality will be a tad different IMO better but it really comes down to what shocks you have choosen to go along with the kit.

Normally people just do a flip kit in the rear that nets 4-5" and keeps the stock leaf springs

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2007 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
2003 Explorer front end swap, 7/8 drop, 2.3L 5 speed 4.10's LSD
2007 Yamaha Dragstar