cant decide on wat way to lift my ranger.

[redneckfordranger1986]

looking for a opinions . i have a 86 ranger 4x4 i want to lift . should i go with a body lift or should i go with bigger springs like 4"inch superlift springs .. and if i go with the springs wat else do i need to do to my truck ? any help ? thanks

 

[Bennybooster]

A good start would be to do a coil spacer or washer lift with some exploder springs and belltech shackles in the back, Then also do a 2 or 3in body lift

 

[Grey_04]

I'd start with the body lift. it would be your cheapest and it would let you do some research on the best lift so you could spend your money on the lift you really want.

 

[RavoHimself]

A good start would be to do a coil spacer or washer lift with some exploder springs and belltech shackles in the back, Then also do a 2 or 3in body lift

i second the motion

 

[strvger]

also, with the body lift, it will drive and ride like it always has. no alignments, etc. and it gives you more room to work when you decide what suspension lift (if any) you want to install. and yours being an '86, i'd go ahead and replace the body and cab mounts while you're in there. probably around $50-75 and just a couple extra hours work and well worth it imho.

 

[K-Slice]

I love my f-150 springs and add a leafs. Gave me about 2 inches of lift and stiffened up the ride, plus it's about the cheapest suspension lift you can do. If your looking for more than 2 inches I'd say do the body and run some 33's. If you do more than 2 inches on the suspension your looking at drop axle pivots and pitman arm brackets, and to get decent ones you're looking at a good amount of $$$.

 

[legoms013]

This kind of question is best answered with another question(s), whats your spending budget and what do you want to do with your truck?

 

[country0001]

This kind of question is best answered with another question(s), whats your spending budget and what do you want to do with your truck?

That was my thought too. I think i'm going with a bodylift 1-2" and trimmin fenders so i can get 33's on.

 

[strvger]

keep in mind they aren't making rbv's anymore. do you really want to trim fenders, thus lowering resale/collector value? body/suspension lifts can be reversed. most drive train mods can be reversed. start cutting and there is no reversal, only replacement IF you can find the right body parts.
just a thought.

for the op, if you're lifting for bigger tires, don't forget to figure in re-gearing to get back the power you'll need to move them efficiently. and don't forget that locker that will help immensely in the traction dept. these things aren't cheap, but for any tire size over 30/9.50x15 (or 235/75x15) you'll be needing them for sure... imho.

 

[feellnfroggy]

F150 springs and exploder leaves with 2 inch drop shackles. THis will lift you front and rear about 2 inches, then do a 2 inch body lift with welded washers and you have a total of 4 inches. It will cost you less than 60 bux. roughly.

 

[wookie13]

hey cuz!! I would do the xploder leaves and f150 springs!! It would be cheap for a 2" lift!! You get your windshield yet?

 

[disciplerocks]

This kind of question is best answered with another question(s), whats your spending budget and what do you want to do with your truck?

x2. If all you want to do is lift it, then Ex leafs and spacers will be the cheapest. Body lifts are fairly cheap and easy to do also, but neither of these will make the suspension perform better.

 

[Daven]

F150 springs and exploder leaves with 2 inch drop shackles. THis will lift you front and rear about 2 inches, then do a 2 inch body lift with welded washers and you have a total of 4 inches. It will cost you less than 60 bux. roughly.

Is this easy to do if you've never done something like it before? And just get some f150 springs from a scrapyard right? Ive been wanting to lift my '89 ranger too a bit, but i didnt want to spend the money quite yet. But this seems extreemly cheap and fairly easy... is it?

 

[legoms013]

F150 springs and exploder leaves with 2 inch drop shackles. THis will lift you front and rear about 2 inches, then do a 2 inch body lift with welded washers and you have a total of 4 inches. It will cost you less than 60 bux. roughly.

Hack body lifts are dangerous, consider a kit, they aren't that expensive.

keep in mind they aren't making rbv's anymore. do you really want to trim fenders, thus lowering resale/collector value? body/suspension lifts can be reversed. most drive train mods can be reversed. start cutting and there is no reversal, only replacement IF you can find the right body parts.
just a thought.

for the op, if you're lifting for bigger tires, don't forget to figure in re-gearing to get back the power you'll need to move them efficiently. and don't forget that locker that will help immensely in the traction dept. these things aren't cheap, but for any tire size over 30/9.50x15 (or 235/75x15) you'll be needing them for sure... imho.

Finally someone who appreciates older vehicle sheet metal. Go cut up a new car that is still in production lol!

I hate the thought of cutting my fenders, thats one of the main reasons I lifted my truck the way I did.

SO if I were the OP and I wanted to go the cheap route, I'd do a 2" body lift, steel washer spacers and an AAL or replacement block out back and run 31's.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Hack body lifts are dangerous, consider a kit, they aren't that expensive.

Finally someone not afraid to post his extensive knowledge.

This is not a hack body lift. Its factory parts, from factory trucks that run safely for years. Done by 75% of them members on this site at one point in time. Much similar to swapping the solid axles from fullsize trucks. It's called "customizing". Hes not welding with a coathanger or jb welding his axleshaft together. And kits are 200 minimum from dealers and even used they are 150 plus. Hes looking at less than 75 with junkyard parts.


The only thing even close to "hack" would be welding some washers together for a 2inch (notice I said maximum) body lift. But even this is no different than hockey pucks or body lift bushings, one is just a better ride than the other. Still safe. He's not drilling holes in quarters and duct taping them.

Next time you wanna refute someones advice post some reasons and examples, so we ignorant types have reason to believe you, thanks.