Did you lift your 1998-2011 Ford Ranger 4x4?

[Jim Oaks]

I'm curious how many of you 1998-2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 owners lifted your Ranger, and whether you:

• Bought the Superlift kit
• Cranked the torsion bars
• Bought torsion keys (and cranked those)
• Just used a body Lift
• Did a Superlift & body lift
• Did a torsion bar crank and body lift

And if you don't mind, click on the poll, but also post why you did or didn't go a specific route.

Thanks

 

[1996xlt]

I opted to crank the factory keys and did belltech shackle in the rear for now. I'm leaning toward a 2" body lift and swapping out the rear springs for some out of 96 explorer (sitting in the garage.) Long term, if I keep it, is an SAS.

 

[Joe Dirte]

I needed some clearance for the 235/85/16's. I didn't want to go too high on the lift because I was concerned about possible CV wear.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Yeah I just cranked mine up to max, I put some taller shocks on to help a little.

 

[JoshT]

1999 model

Cranked the factory keys in front. For Rear I installed shackles (parts house brand) and swapped the factory leafs w/ blocks for Explorer leafs w/o blocks. That's all I needed to comfortably clear the 32x11.5 tires I'm running.

Considered a Superlift and cranking the bars down, but too much money involved.

Will be going to a smaller tire in the future, because I don't really use the truck offroad since I got an ATV and would prefer the advantages of a smaller tire. Probably back down to about a 30" (and much lighter) tire and lower it down to a good (IMO) stance with those.

 

[pSycHOarsOnisT]

Planned on sas but ran out of cash so t bar crank and bl

 

[gw33gp]

I just wanted to level the truck and cranked T-bars to raise the front 1.5". I have helper air spring in the rear but only use them to lift to normal height when loaded with weight or towing. The 33" tires lift it enough for some pretty serious off-road adventures.

 

[Rex2nr]

1999 XLT Off Road

I installed Monroe Load Adjust shocks since my rear end sagged with about 200# of sand for winter, causing me to blind other drivers with my headlights. The shocks (they are the ones with coil helper springs) raised the rear about 1.5" so I cranked the torsion bars to level it out. I am also on 31s.

I would love to go higher but my truck is pretty much a mall crawler and really doesn't need the clearance. I just wanted to keep the truck level with a load. I have considered a body lift, but haven't pulled the trigger. There really is no point since it won't gain ground clearance, and my tires don't rub.

 

[Blown]

If I lift it:
1" T-bar crank to save some down travel and then a 2" body lift. Add 4.56 gearing. This to clear 33's and mild to some moderate wheeling.

 

[fyre82]

2000 Supercab 4x, 4.0
I voted the superlift & body lift. I'm not sure of the lift brand in my rig I bought it modified. 6" suspension, 3"body lift. At the time it was riding on 35's (315mm). I dropped to 33's (285mm) so it would go uphill faster that I can walk.

 

[don4331]

Got a smoking good deal on a brand new Superlift kit, so it's installed and the torsion crank is undone.

It was on my bucket list of things to do to a 4wd (along with V-8). Wouldn't do it again. While it bought me the ability to run 33s, it didn't add any more ground clearance than a 3" body lift with the same tires would have. And the 3" body lift would have been a lot less money...

Original torsion crank was in to level the truck.

 

[Needles929]

99 Super Cab 4x4

I was luck enough to purchase the truck with an already installed RCD lift. It's too bad they don't make that lift anymore. I really like it.

Removes the torsion bars and adds coil-overs. Shackles and leafs in the rear. Bilstein shocks all around. No problem clearing 33's.

I still haven't figured out the steering wheel play though. That is my only bother currently.

 

[papasmurfor9]

I bought lift keys, 2in lift shackles, and put in explorer leaf springs. I got ab 4in of lift. 99 ranger. Running P58 16 in buckshot mudders.

 

[DRanger024]

With my ‘02 super cab 4.0 4x4 I had done a body lift and cranked the t-bars with the stock keys. I also swapped to explorer leafs with Chevy drop shackles and removed the factory blocks. About 5” lift total. Sat pretty nice on 33’s and zero axle wrap.

 

[hmalopez]

Jim, (or anyone else with experience), in your build guide, you say the FX4 with 31 spline 4.10 gears can run 33s, but further on in the article, you mention 31s as a max for 4.10s. My '08 FX4 has a 4.10 torsen and I would like to run 33s but would settle for 31s.

P.S. Been fun watching your adventure on the Trans America Trail. #therangerstationofficial