looking to lower my 98 Ranger but im new to mini trucks

[superj]

easy way to check is to stand back from the truck and look under the area where the seat is. if there is some big rectangular deals welded there, its torsion. if the under side looks smooth and normal, its coil.

or lay under and look in that spot. if there are some garden hose diameter bars running from under the seat area to the control arm, torsion bars it it

 

[98_RangerDanger]

You have an XLT, so I'm pretty sure you have coil fronts.

Yes i do, sorry again for being a newbie but one last question. IF i went with the 3" / 4" kit without shocks, i couldnt keep my factory ones correct? i would have to end up getting new shocks anyways? just looking at budget and all

 

[stmitch]

Just FYI, if you're getting more than 2" of lowering from the front springs alone, getting the truck aligned can be difficult or impossible. It's probably going to have too much negative camber.

I'd do some drop shocks with any lowering. It will ride better and have appropriate travel rather than constantly bottoming out the shocks and wearing them faster.

Cheap drop kits are fine, but you often end up paying more over the long term. If you run too much negative camber, you'll chew through tires much faster. If you don't buy some new drop shocks, you'll have much less dampening and likely blow your shocks out faster. It's kind of short sighted IMO.

If you're really strapped for cash, you can do a 2" front drop by cutting the stock coil springs, and a 2" rear drop by flipping the stock shackle hangers. It will cost you the price of some cutoff wheels and grade 8 hardware for the back. The stock shackle hangers are often rusted out anyway, so if you need to replace yours, then it's the perfect time to flip them. That would give you a bit of drop for super cheap while you save for a legitimate lowering kit.

If you're going to spring for an actual lowering kit, I'd avoid any 3" front drop spring. You could get 2" drop control arms from DJM, and then add cut factory springs for an additional 1-2" of drop, ending up with 3-4" of front drop, but with quality components that can still be aligned properly.

A small frame notch, or at least cutting down the factory bump stops will help the ride if you're doing an axle flip in the rear.

 

[98_RangerDanger]

Thanks so much! i appreciate it and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR TRUCK! its def an inspiration!!