98 Ranger 4X4 need to lower torsion bar back to factory level.

[dgeorge]

I bought a 98 4X4 and the previous owner has the torsion bar adjustment all the way up so that the shocks are fully extended. I just put stock size tires back on it (had 31.5s on it) and now I want to lower the torsion bar back to factory level. Does anyone know how far down that would be? Can I just lower it all the way down? I am a old man and have a hard time getting into it with the front end jacked up like it is, plus I want a more comfortable ride right now it is like it does not have any shocks on it at all. I've found plenty of threads on raising the torsion bar, but no luck on lowering it.

 

[gw33gp]

I have the factory specs for ride height and have posted it a few times. I don't have them on my home computer. You can do a search on ride height or wait until I get a chance to post it again when I go back to work.

 

[sgtsandman]

The quick and dirty way to do it is to set the front 1.5" lower than the rear springs measuring at the same point in the wheel arch for reference. The data gw33gp has put up is more precise. What I mention here gets you close but not 100% correct. Make sure you measure the back arches and compare the fronts on BOTH sides or you will have Ranger lean. The driver's side is purposefully higher than the passenger side because of the fuel tank being on the drivers side.

 

[pjtoledo]

for some unknown reason I can't insert an image in this posting, so I just created a thread in "General Discussions" with a diagram and specs.
the angle of the lower control arms is how the factory measures ride height.

how to measure factory ride height, 1998+

for a 2wd it's 102mm/ 4.08" 4wd, new parts 113mm/4.52" 4wd , original (I guess that means well broken in) 101mm/4.04"

www.therangerstation.com

 

[gw33gp]

The link pj posted is basically the same information I would have posted. I always use the new ride height specs (at the high end of the tolerance), which ends up being about a 1.5" lift on used suspension. That does not cause the shocks to be fully extended and doesn't affect the ride like cranking the torsion bars too much.

The ride height numbers have tolerance of +/- 0.12" for new parts and +/- 0.44" for used. Since you don't want any lift, the 4.04 ride height is probably the best number for you. Going to the low end of the tolerance may end up with the rear looking too high and may have a tendency for the suspension to hit the bump stops.

 

[dgeorge]

Thank you everyone for all of the help. I have decided to take it to a front end mechanic and let him do it. I'm too old and overweight to be crawling around on the ground doing this. Hopefully your answers will help someone else also.

 

[pjtoledo]

Thank you everyone for all of the help. I have decided to take it to a front end mechanic and let him do it. I'm too old and overweight to be crawling around on the ground doing this. Hopefully your answers will help someone else also.

so am I. slows me down a little, gives the neighbors something to talk about.