I have a 2011 ranger xl. Which lowering kit should i get for my ranger that includes as little extra modding as possible. I dont want my suspension to bottom out, dont wanna notch anything, nor do i wanna have to have my drive shaft alligned. How low can i go while just getting an allignment and maybe some smaller bushings.

You're not going to go any lower than 2" in front and 2" in back without making some modifications.

Lowering costs money to do it the right way. If you flip your axle on top of your leaf springs, you're going to need a pinion shim kit or your ujoints will suffer as well as vibrate when accellerating from a stop. Anything lower than 4 inches in the rear, and you will bottom out on large bumps.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

What is the scoop on the pinion shim kit. Explanation, price etc

It costs about 30 bucks and fixes the alignment of your rear differential to your driveline. Without it, your ujoints connecting the two will bind and make a god-awful grinding sound.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

Does realigning the driveline this way affect the longevity of my truck?

Here is my problem i would love to install a djm 4/5 but all this frame choppin and drive shaft realigning and allignment and suspension travel issues freaks me out. I want to lower my truck but i dont want to render it useless in the process. If i do it i wanna do it right. If i install a djm 4/5, what is all the modding i would have to do, and the pros and cons of these mods.

Yes, your ujoints will thank you accordingly. But as far as lowering goes, your truck willl still be absolutely useful in hauling/towing stuff.

For example:




My truck could haul a lot more, but I rarely use it for that so I don't have any good pictures of it doing so. But if you really want to haul a payload, get air shocks and air them up when you need to haul something heavy.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

I don't mean anything disrespectful in asking this so please don't take offense....I see lowered Rangers and have wondered why someone would lover a truck. What is your reasoning in lowering your truck?

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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project

some say handling is better.

some people just like the way they look

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Because I can! simple as that

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98 Ranger some stuff done

PNW Crew

lol!

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i won't lie, i want to lower one, & put dual sway bars - everybody says the handle so well!

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Ok i feel better about the suspension bottoming out. But would I have to notch the frame anything else like a crossmember whenever I lower it with the djm 4/5

Most likely. With a 5" rear drop, your axle will be sitting 1.5-2" away from the frame.

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Which one would you rather load a couch into?

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

amen.

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

The same goes for why would someone lift a truck? some see it pointless some like it.
I have a lowered ranger and a lifted z71 and i love both. Its best of both worlds

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93, Ranger Supercab
5/7 drop
Staggered 20s
New interior
347 stroker

This is the picture that I was looking for earlier. This is a lowered EDGE towing 1100 lbs.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread