2009 Sport 4x4 Lift Kit

[sgtsandman]

I think the 285/75/16 is considered a 33 inch tire... IMHO... way to tall for a 3.73.

I think your plan for the vacuum repairs will work... just ensure you are routed properly away from heat sources.

You can replace the clutch on the compressor. Sounds like it just worn out... mine is starting to make a bit of racket lately.

I posted the link to the Tech Library pre key information in my last post... it is what sgtsandman also refers to also. I know folks on here with pre 08 trucks crank the t-bars max and fit the 285/75/16's... but I believe they rub a bit. They also typically run them on an 8 inch wide wheel. However... you still have the 3.73 gear. If you need 33's... you should truly consider a re-gear.

I run 32's (265/75/16) with a 4.10 gear... I feel it is totally livable but I do feel the difference from the factory 31 inch tall tires.

Here is the link to the Tech Library to help understand gear ratio to tire size changes.

Gear Ratio Guide For Larger Tires (therangerstation.com)

Spend some time poking around the Tech Library... there is 20 plus years of helpful information to help you with many things you would like to do.

My fault. I typed the wrong tire size into the calculator on 1010 tire. That pretty much negates much of what I posted in reply.

 

[97RangerXLT]

My fault. I typed the wrong tire size into the calculator on 1010 tire. That pretty much negates much of what I posted in reply.

For the shame that you brought upon this thread, you must wear a Chevy hat for the rest of the day.

AJ

 

[Uncle Gump]

For the shame that you brought upon this thread, you must wear a Chevy hat for the rest of the day.

AJ

and take a dump in your furnace...

 

[sgtsandman]

and take a dump in your furnace...

Unlike some people, I don’t have a fire breathing octopus furnace. Such an act would not end well for everyone.

 

[Bobtube]

Lol, thanks for your help guys. Appreciate all the input received here.

Kinda now just going back and forth on the lift part and I may have found some old keys and shackles that I can use, just need some new shocks and ill see what I can do. The rest of everything else seems pretty straight forward. If I can get the truck a bit higher, some 32s will be going on there - I just am sure they will rub on off-road stuff if I cant give myself extra clearance.. and the body lifts just DO NOT seem like a great idea.

 

[sgtsandman]

Opinions will differ on body lifts. To me, body lifts should come after suspension lifts. Suspension lofts give you more ground clearance. Body lifts just make room for bigger tires. Yes, the bigger tires give you some lift too. I just think suspension is the better option in a lot of cases.

 

[Bobtube]

Im having a similar mindset on the body lift vs. suspension lift as well. Ive had my eye on this kind of kit for a bit.

3" Front + 2" Rear Lift Level Kit For 1998-2011 Ford Ranger 4WD Bilstein Shocks | eBay

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's pretty hard to have it both ways in one of these Rangers. In a perfect world we would have a daily driver and a dedicated off road rig. Everything you do to make it more capable off road affects the longevity and handling characteristics as a daily driver. Bone stock provides the best daily driver experience but even though they are fairly capable off road... there are many ways to make that aspect better. Tough decisions...

PA use to make a 1 inch body lift. It was discontinued years ago. They still offer the three inch and I have thought about buying the blocks and cutting them down. I think there are other options out there... maybe try searching the site here for "one inch body lift". I know there were discussions sometime ago on this very subject. This was part of my original plan for my truck... but I chose a different path simply because for the time being... daily driver out weighed off road capability. This one inch body lift might just be the difference you need... for me personally... it is the way I would go if I needed "a bit more" tire clearance. At some point in the future... I very well may do one myself (after I have a new Bronco parked in the garage). They also install fairly easy and If I remember they require zero bumper relocation brackets/steering adapter/fuel filler extension/etc...

There are options in the 33 inch tire category... they make a 33/10.50/15 (you world need new wheels) and also a 235/85/16 which would fit on your current wheels. These narrower tires work better inside the confines of the wheel well better then the 33/12.50 types that you have mentioned.

The trouble with the lift you just posted... they sure leave your front axles at pretty steep angles and frankly there is minimal down travel left in the front suspension. You loose a bunch of longevity/reliability of most suspension and driveline part up front.

 

[Bobtube]

It's pretty hard to have it both ways in one of these Rangers. In a perfect world we would have a daily driver and a dedicated off road rig. Everything you do to make it more capable off road affects the longevity and handling characteristics as a daily driver. Bone stock provides the best daily driver experience but even though they are fairly capable off road... there are many ways to make that aspect better. Tough decisions...

PA use to make a 1 inch body lift. It was discontinued years ago. They still offer the three inch and I have thought about buying the blocks and cutting them down. I think there are other options out there... maybe try searching the site here for "one inch body lift". I know there were discussions sometime ago on this very subject. This was part of my original plan for my truck... but I chose a different path simply because for the time being... daily driver out weighed off road capability. This one inch body lift might just be the difference you need... for me personally... it is the way I would go if I needed "a bit more" tire clearance. At some point in the future... I very well may do one myself (after I have a new Bronco parked in the garage). They also install fairly easy and If I remember they require zero bumper relocation brackets/steering adapter/fuel filler extension/etc...

There are options in the 33 inch tire category... they make a 33/10.50/15 (you world need new wheels) and also a 235/85/16 which would fit on your current wheels. These narrower tires work better inside the confines of the wheel well better then the 33/12.50 types that you have mentioned.

The trouble with the lift you just posted... they sure leave your front axles at pretty steep angles and frankly there is minimal down travel left in the front suspension. You loose a bunch of longevity/reliability of most suspension and driveline part up front.

Hmmmm, what youre saying makes a lot of sense. I am a little torn, as most the trails I do go down, id very much benefit from the 33s and some lift, yet at the same time I definitely want my vehicle to last.

Its funny, since I cranked my t-bars to level out my truck (with no lift kit or anything), Ive noticed that my ride has actually been a lot smoother. Im guessing its because my front shocks arent already compressed, loosing some of the absorption.

Say I were not going to use the full 3 inch suspension, and crank the t-bars to say, 2 inches. Would you think thats perhaps livable

 

[Bobtube]

Also I just thought of another issue... the spare tire... does anyone know the max size spare you can fit in the under carriage

 

[sgtsandman]

Also I just thought of another issue... the spare tire... does anyone know the max size spare you can fit in the under carriage

31” and only just. Anything bigger will have to go elsewhere.

 

[sgtsandman]

Hmmmm, what youre saying makes a lot of sense. I am a little torn, as most the trails I do go down, id very much benefit from the 33s and some lift, yet at the same time I definitely want my vehicle to last.

Its funny, since I cranked my t-bars to level out my truck (with no lift kit or anything), Ive noticed that my ride has actually been a lot smoother. Im guessing its because my front shocks arent already compressed, loosing some of the absorption.

Say I were not going to use the full 3 inch suspension, and crank the t-bars to say, 2 inches. Would you think thats perhaps livable

The SLA axle puts a real crimp on things. Options are limited. That’s part of the reason many go with earlier models. Some chose to go with a solid axle swap.

 

[Bobtube]

The SLA axle puts a real crimp on things. Options are limited. That’s part of the reason many go with earlier models. Some chose to go with a solid axle swap.

Yes, I'm beginning to learn this. To be honest, all of my vehicle knowledge and learning is happening right now - this is the first vehicle I've ever had that I cared about and I lacked the foresight of some of the things I'd like to be able to do with it. Prior, I was driving a MK3 Jetta and I just drove it directly into it's grave.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Don't get to worked up here... stay within reasonable expectations and you can still get your truck out and have a bunch of fun.

pre key lift... 1 inch body lift and 33 inch tires are certainly doable. Many do it without the body lift.

 

[Bobtube]

Don't get to worked up here... stay within reasonable expectations and you can still get your truck out and have a bunch of fun.

pre key lift... 1 inch body lift and 33 inch tires are certainly doable. Many do it without the body lift.

Uncle Gump, you are my shaman, the Ranger is my temple.

This project is going to happen for sure.