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

[turbo130]

On my 1994 Ranger 4x4 with 4.0 engine I installed stronger front springs to level the sag on the front end.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Turbo 130-How does it ride?

 

[turbo130]

When I replaced the front springs the shocks were bad so I replaced them as well and the ride is a lot smoother.

 

[Scrambler82]

Used the front Super Lift Kit and added Coil-Over Shocks.
The rear was SkyJacker 6" Lift Springs, no blocks, Aftermarket Shocks. (two different shocks)
Clear 33" tires without a problem, although the front does once in awhile hit the lining when backing up.

 

[fastpakr]

Used the front Super Lift Kit and added Coil-Over Shocks.
The rear was SkyJacker 6" Lift Springs, no blocks, Aftermarket Shocks. (two different shocks)
Clear 33" tires without a problem, although the front does once in awhile hit the lining when backing up.

Which shocks and spring rate did you go with for the coil over setup? I've got the bits coming next month for the coil over mount. Also hoping a used lift kit might show up at some point to buy rather than investing in a new one.

 

[Scrambler82]

Which shocks and spring rate did you go with for the coil over setup? I've got the bits coming next month for the coil over mount. Also hoping a used lift kit might show up at some point to buy rather than investing in a new one.

It has been a while since I put the lift in so know which shock other than the brand I am not sure.

Shock were Fox and purchased through a special buy from 4WD... !

Rate of the springs was 750#, because I was going with a Winch that never got there.

Truck run good, when I put the lift in I use SuperLift rear Shock but they were the wrong ones for my setup.
I took my truck to the local Off-Road Warehouse and they put on two different sized shock.
I have the FX4 Large Tubed rear axle, maybe that was my problem, but all I know is once ORW got through with the front rebuild and the rear replacement shocks the truck had a great ride and still does two years later.
I brought it to ORW two weeks ago and had them check out the shock condition and all was still good.

There are articles (Postings and How-Tos) on other Ranger Sites about the Coil-Over Kits and How-To's... check them out to get an idea of what was used.

That all I got !

 

[fastpakr]

Thanks. I've skimmed through those articles in the past and will definitely read them more thoroughly when the time comes to order and install parts. 750 vs 800# springs is one of the things I need to decide on. No winch any time soon, but I do have the V8 sitting up there.

 

[BiggSherm1988]

I went with the Wulf leveling kit. I didn't want to go too big and the only thing besides a key lift/level kit would be a 4 or 5 inch lift. I do have plans for a body lift in the future but I'm not sold yet on what size to go with.

 

[MaicoDoug]

07 level II YELLOW submarine

DONE! The FOX 2.0 with Eibach 800lbs/inch springs did the trick. Here we are with new lower A arms. The upper shock tower has the gussets welded in. I went with my own material for those gussets. I could get away with longer gussets on both sides. It was tight. I did have to grind to fit a...

www.therangerstation.com

The FOX 2.0 with Eibach 800lbs/inch springs did the trick. No winch. I had to push these up more than I expected to get it leveled, but now that the springs are broken in with 1kmi, time to let it down a half inch at the tire edge. Too bad because I love the weight over the rear end, but the ride is a little rough sometimes. Heck, the A arms are stock and I do have full travel at ~40+ miles/hr. So I'll try taking out a couple of turns and see if I get some more betta smoothness. There's ya some suspension tek jabber. Longer A arms coming after I come up with the longer axles. That's where the $$ is. I'll have to get some CroMo 1" tubing and fire up the Miller' Tig. I love to TIG. But the travel will be smooth. Will have to push the upper shock mounting up. With a hoop. So if yall want a smooth operating front suspension prepare for big changes. What I did here is nothing. Easy to reinforce what is already there. Gotta know how to install supporting structure. Not everything that works is "bolt on", only (for the most part) is cosmetic.

 

[starkey.rayl]

Did a little of all of them. 1999 Ford Ranger excab sport 4x4. Installed 5 inch Rough Country lift, Explorer disc brake LSD rear axle swap with new welded on spring perches, Explorer rear springs, 3 inch rear lift shackles, 3 inch lift front torsion keys, 3 inch body lift, and sitting on 35 in tires.

 

[Bracket racer]

I wanted to put 33’s on the 06 (07??) and since it had no box, the rear was way up in the air. So I cranked the stock keys up all the way. The issue I’m having now is the rough ride, so I turned the bars back about 2-3 full turns, basically until the front started to drop and then back up enough to just top it out but not as far in as the bolt will go like before. Smooth..ish?
But I just read in this thread about longer shocks which might be an idea as well since topping out the suspension when I go over a hole is the biggest crash I get.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Look into what Rancho has.

 

[BiggSherm1988]

I wanted to put 33’s on the 06 (07??) and since it had no box, the rear was way up in the air. So I cranked the stock keys up all the way. The issue I’m having now is the rough ride, so I turned the bars back about 2-3 full turns, basically until the front started to drop and then back up enough to just top it out but not as far in as the bolt will go like before. Smooth..ish?
But I just read in this thread about longer shocks which might be an idea as well since topping out the suspension when I go over a hole is the biggest crash I get.

Wolf suspension keys, shackles and shocks will fix it.

 

[86_FX4]

I did a poor man's mixed small lift on my 2004 4.0 FX4 awhile back. Many 1000's of miles of driving, road trips, some mid 4x4, and lots of city driving later, still holding strong. Definitely enjoy being just little taller than most rangers I see.

New T bars for front, stiffest available (code 1 if i recall) ~$260 for both
Junkyard explorer leafs for a cheap few inches of rear lift ~$63 for both

Everything else stock. Although, at the same time as installing these I installed many other new suspension components, new tires and got an alignment. Threw a heavy fiberglass camper on the back to load the rear and bring it down. Installed the new T bars and cranked as little as possible to level it out. Relatively smooth riding and has proven to be solid long term so far. Loads weight nicely, isnt too stiff. Fits chunky size 265/75/16, or over 31" without an issue. Very minor rubbing on the wheelwell rubber splash at full lock. Could probably go bigger but see no need to.

I ran into complications with explorer-ranger leaf compatibility which should be sorted out here.

Ford Ranger, Explorer & Bronco Rear Leaf Spring Specs - The Ranger Station

Rear Leaf Spring Specs: The chart below lists the leaf spring specs for the Ford Explorer, Ranger, Bronco, and Bronco II. Leaf Spring Eye Bolts: 9/16″ Grade 8 The 1991-2002 Ford Explorer and Explorer Sport uses 9/16″ x 4-1/2″ Grade … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[clarkbre]

Nothing crazy here but wanted to share my setup that is in progress.

This is my '98 XLT 4wd 4.0 with 3.73 gearing. It came from the factory with 265/75r15 (31x10.5) and currently has really old Michelin 31x10.5r15 all season tires. The last year, I've been going through the truck and refurbishing the suspension, brakes, electrical, engine maintenance, etc.

As it sits in the pictures, the rear is completely stock height and the front stock torsion keys have been tightened 3 turns to level the front with the rear. There is ample room for larger tires (32x11.5) without rubbing; however, keeping the 3.73 gearing, the stock size 31x10.5r15 will remain. To improve the appearance, Falken Wildpeak AT tires on 15x8 -19mm offset wheels will be used to sit flush with the edge of the factory fender flares.

As the front suspension isn't maxed out, ride quality has remained the same as factory. Stock length Rancho RS5000X (# RS55126) shocks were used in the rear and slightly longer than stock Rancho RS5000X (# RS55374) were installed to accommodate the raised front end, still allowing plenty of down travel.

As pictured, ground clearance under the front crossmember is 12.5" and 9.25" under the rear differential.