Got it backwards?

IndianaRanger · Dec 16, 2008

Hey Guys,

New to the forum and I have a question. I kind of went about my 99 Ranger XL 2wd transformation backward.

I just bolted on a set of 20" Zinik chrome rims and Khumo tires. I was running the stock 14" factory wheels and tires. The look is nice, but the damn thing now appears to have been lifted like a 4X4.

Since I have a considerable investment in rims and tires I want to protect them, but I NEED this thing lowered - and quick!

I have very little skills at fabrication, but I can bolt stuff on. What kits would you guys recommend and how low can I go without body modifications?

Most kits claim either a 2" front - 3" rear or a 4" front - 5" rear. Will the 4 -5 work on my truck without cutting it up?

I do not want to go the route of "bagging" the truck.

Thanks,

Tom

doorgunner · Dec 16, 2008

How much higher are the bumpers from the ground now? Will drop kits even lower the truck to where it was before the wheels were changed? I lowered mine by flipping the brackets/shackles on the rear(but u could buy a "bolt on" kit). I cut some off the front coils, but a bolt on kit is the best way to go on the front (unless u got brain damage like me :icon_hornsup:

)

rat_ranger · Dec 16, 2008

first we need to know your tire size. anything over a 245/35r20 on a 98+ ranger will rub on a 4/5 drop. I am running 225/35r20s front and 285/30r20s rear. for 98+ you have control arms and leaf springs. a 2/3 drop is new coils in the front and a flip kit with a lift shackle in the rear. a 4/5 kit is new control arms and springs in the front and the rear gets a flip kit. with either of these kits itll ride the same or a little stiffer than stock. as for cutting it all bolts in, but it is highly reccomended to switch to some pancake bump stops in the rear.

IndianaRanger · Dec 16, 2008

Tire Size

Rat,

Thanks for the quick reply. The tires are 275/45-20 on 20X8.5 rims. I can't say how much higher it is now after the tire fitment, but I would guess it is 3 to 4 inches anyway.

Tom

rat_ranger · Dec 16, 2008

wow, those are big tires. most you can drop without rubbing bad in the front is probably a 2/3 drop. with 4/5 you would either rub the fenders or the inner fenders on bumps. I would say if you want to go down, is in the future when your tires wear out go down to a 245/35r20. that is what alot of dropped guys are running. but for now you could do a shackle flip in the rear and get some 2in drop springs and be set.

Mark98xlt · Dec 17, 2008

IndianaRanger said:
Rat,

Thanks for the quick reply. The tires are 275/45-20 on 20X8.5 rims. I can't say how much higher it is now after the tire fitment, but I would guess it is 3 to 4 inches anyway.

Tom

It didnt lift any, you just put bigger rims on with smaller tires so it shows more fender gap between wheel and fender.

Anything bigger than a 26" diameter tire on a truck dropped 4-5 inches in the front will rub

IndianaRanger · Dec 18, 2008

....more still.

Mark98xlt said:
It didnt lift any, you just put bigger rims on with smaller tires so it shows more fender gap between wheel and fender.

Anything bigger than a 26" diameter tire on a truck dropped 4-5 inches in the front will rub

Mark,

Since I am new here I don't want to "sound" like a newbie smarta** but, according to the chart available at the address below (and my old but still working eyeballs) the truck is actually higher in the air. The chart shows an increase in the height of the tire, measured from the pavement vertically to the top surface of the tire, at roughly +3.64 inches.

If my math is correct, that would give me approximately 1/2 that measurement in overall height or a rough 2 inches. If I am right a 2" drop kit should get me back to where I started.

I wish I would have done more research before I got such massive hunks of rubber glued to those pretty chrome rims. :sad:

Any thoughts?

Tom

Tire - Wheel Comparison Chart:http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

Please forgive the reference to Dodge Trucks!

rat_ranger · Dec 18, 2008

To drop it easy get a set of DJM front springs, and flip the rear shackles. thatll give you 2 in the front 2-3 in the back. itll cost you around 150 to do it yourself that way. you dont have to get new shocks at a 2in drop, but it is reccomended.

Crazythingsido2 · Dec 19, 2008

get lowpros and a djm 4/5

Mark98xlt · Dec 19, 2008

IndianaRanger said:
Mark,

Since I am new here I don't want to "sound" like a newbie smarta** but, according to the chart available at the address below (and my old but still working eyeballs) the truck is actually higher in the air. The chart shows an increase in the height of the tire, measured from the pavement vertically to the top surface of the tire, at roughly +3.64 inches.

If my math is correct, that would give me approximately 1/2 that measurement in overall height or a rough 2 inches. If I am right a 2" drop kit should get me back to where I started.

I wish I would have done more research before I got such massive hunks of rubber glued to those pretty chrome rims.

Any thoughts?

Tom

Tire - Wheel Comparison Chart:http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

Please forgive the reference to Dodge Trucks!

Your wrong but here Ill show you its the overall diameter of the tire is what matters. Stock diameter of the 225/70/15 is like 27.4 inches diameter tire.

Your front 225/35/20 has a diameter of 26.2 inches, with a sidewall of 3.1 inches compared to the 6.2 inches of diameter of sidewall the stock tire had.

Your rears are 26.7 and with a sidewall of 3.4 inches compared to the stock 6.2 inches.

So that what is making the truck appear to be higher is the amount of fender gap, hence looking like its on 'stilts" as I would say. Its the loss of sidewall without a drop to make up for it.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

IndianaRanger · Dec 20, 2008

Mark98xlt said:
Your(sp) wrong but here Ill show you its the overall diameter of the tire is what matters. Stock diameter of the 225/70/15 is like 27.4 inches diameter tire.

Your front 225/35/20 has a diameter of 26.2 inches, with a sidewall of 3.1 inches compared to the 6.2 inches of diameter of sidewall the stock tire had.

Your rears are 26.7 and with a sidewall of 3.4 inches compared to the stock 6.2 inches.

So that what is making the truck appear to be higher is the amount of fender gap, hence looking like its on 'stilts" as I would say. Its the loss of sidewall without a drop to make up for it.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Mark,

Overall diameter and total height of tire + wheel ARE related and one is not independent of the other. I still contend that my truck IS higher off the ground, measured by a "seat-of-the-pants" method.

By the way, an actual measurement system (my beloved wife) also concurs regarding the increased height.

If you still contend that it is only an illusion that my truck is higher on the air, I will be forced to drag the old 205/75-14 tire/wheel combos out of the garage and photograph them against the new 275/45-20 tires.

I will bet you a case of "adult beverages" that I am right.

Tom

:icon_cheers:

ZMan · Dec 21, 2008

Hey mark, just so you know, TRS has all of those calculators in house.. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.php

rat_ranger · Dec 21, 2008

His tires are taller than stock. I am running 225/35r20 and 285/30r20. I went with smaller than stock so I could do a 4/5 drop without rubbing. The most IndianaRanger can do is a 2/3 with his current tires. But doing a 2/3 when he wears those tires out he can go to a shorter tire and add on the parts for a 4/5.

IndianaRanger · Dec 22, 2008

Thanks for the back-up Rat.

Tom

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