Lift on 97 2WD Ranger HELP!

[subterranean]

I finally have purchased new wheels (Pro Comp Series 98 Flat Black, 15x8) and they are on the way from 4WD.com, next step will be getting rad tires to put on them. The problem is this, my plan is to put 30x9.5R15's on them with a lift later...well with all this time spent on seeing all of these incredible trucks on here I'm really beginning to think I may want to have a lift installed sooner so I can go bigger with the tires. I'm on a budget, and of course the tires and wheels will already be putting me a little over $1000.

What would be the cheapest, best way to give the truck a 2 or 3 inch lift? If I went through with it I guess I'd be putting 31's or 33's on. I'm sure I can purchase the parts and have my mechanic install them, but I'm not sure how much the going rate is to install the lift. What would I be looking for, and roughly how much between parts and installation are we really looking at for this to happen? I know most of you install yourself, but I'm sure somebody has paid others to do the work as well. Oh, and I guess I'd need to regear too...is that expensive?

Lastly, I live in RI....anybody in the area that would be willing to do it for discount/experience? All and any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[bcost882]

ok well you can get explorer coils from the jy that will give you i think about 1.5-2in.(i have seen f-150 coils used to get 3in. but dunno how it will work on a 2wd) then you could make up the little difference with some stacked bigazz washers on the stud. but you can't go too high on stock rad arm brackets or else they won't be able to align the truck. in the back you can steal a block off a 4x4 ranger that will give you 2in. in the back all this should be not much more than 100 at a junk yard. and you can really do it at home if you know alittle about the suspension it will cost more to have the mechanic do it than the parts cost. on my 00 i have a 3in. lift soon to be 4.5 and i fit 31s could do 33s and after the 1.5 extra i can doo 33s np. just make sure you measure before you put too big a tire an have no suspension. and as for the gears 31s arent too bad on a 3.0 but any bigger i would regear right away and a 4banger really needs a regear for any power what so ever