1989 suspension lift

[Wannagodiving]

Hi, i've been looking into different options for lifting my 89 4x4 ranger xlt(single cab)
so im looking into a 2-3 inch lift and would love to here from people about the james duff stage 1 3 inch lift if they know anything about it. Or if anyone has any good info on alternatives i would greatly appreciate it. trying to stay under $700.

 

[gaz]

Wanna,

The James Duff (JD) lift is a solid system, regardless of your choice of axel drop brackets and springs, their shocks and arms are unsurpassed.

While I am not using a full JD lift I am using their radius arms which take the place of the radius arm drop bracket in the front and their trailing bars in the rear. Both use JD dual shocks to eliminate body roll... nothing I have ever driven (truck or SUV) rides better.

In regards to a quality low dollar suspension lift, in 88-89 Ford offered what was called the Hi-rider package; it was a factory 2" suspension lift in front with a much beefier sawy bar and add-a-leaved in the rear. I found one in the yard many years ago and installed it on my 87 Ranger. Still going strong but recently I swapped out the Ford coils for a set of Sky Jacker 2" coils.

Money well spent..or saved rather, the yard pull was $50 and the new coils, 25 some years later were $75.

 

[Wannagodiving]

are these axle drop brackets the same ones that TRS recommends not to use in the suspension write up? honestly i don't have much experience with building off-road rigs, my wife converted me from race cars. lol

 

[sgtsandman]

Look through the TRS store for many of the available options: https://trsaorp.com/shop/

Also, look through the Ranger Tech (1983 - 2011) for how to's and what people have done: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/

 

[ericbphoto]

are these axle drop brackets the same ones that TRS recommends not to use in the suspension write up? honestly i don't have much experience with building off-road rigs, my wife converted me from race cars. lol

What is “not recommended” are bracket extensions. There are some cheap lifts out there that give you hardware to drop your axle by extending the OEM brackets. That is weak and not a good practice.

The better kits provide drop brackets that replace the OEM brackets. That is stronger and much better. I haven’t looked in a long time. But I expect James Duff to be real drop brackets. Duff does stuff the right way.

 

[Wannagodiving]

Look through the TRS store for many of the available options: https://trsaorp.com/shop/

Also, look through the Ranger Tech (1983 - 2011) for how to's and what people have done: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/

Somehow I never noticed the store.... but looked at it real quick and most of the links are broken in suspension.

And I’ve read through a lot of the TRS articles, especially on suspension. The forum is somewhat difficult to search, I spent several hours perusing it but couldn’t find the info I was looking for so decided to post(even though I know someone has to have asked pretty much the same thing)

Thank you for the reply.

 

[Wannagodiving]

What is “not recommended” are bracket extensions. There are some cheap lifts out there that give you hardware to drop your axle by extending the OEM brackets. That is weak and not a good practice.

The better kits provide drop brackets that replace the OEM brackets. That is stronger and much better. I haven’t looked in a long time. But I expect James Duff to be real drop brackets. Duff does stuff the right way.

Good to know, and thank you for the info.