1996 Ranger 2wd questions & sugestions.

[kirbo7106]

First off, I searched the forum for the answers, but could not find what I'm looking for. This is a long read, so I want to thank you ahead of time for reading it and hopefully giving me your input.
Here's what I have: I picked up a 1996 Ranger XLT 2wd, 2.3L with a 5 speed. The guy who had it, drove it into the ground! It was one step away from the junkyard.

Here's what I've done so far: I replaced the engine with a 2.5. I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, wires and an assortment of sensors. I also installed a drop in K&N filter. I replaced the power steering pump, the lines, the sensor and added a cooler. I replaced the radiator, cap, heater control valve and all the hoses. I replaced the clutch and the slave cylinder. I replaced all of the shocks and added a steering stabilizer. I replaced the wheels with some American Racing 15x8 rims with some 235/75/15 tires. Later I found out that I needed to change the gears, so I pulled the 7.5 and installed an 8.8 with 4.10 gears and a limited slip. I replaced all of the brakes and upgraded the rears from 9 inch to 10 inch. I installed a rear sway bar. I replaced the bushing in the front end. The exhaust was in bad shape, so I replaced everything except the header. I installed a Magnaflow cat with 2 new O2 sensors and a Dynomax exhaust system. I even painted the exhaust with some high temp paint. The paint is still holding. I changed the fleetside bed to a flairside (stepside) bed. I also replaced the filler hose. I installed a trailer hitch and a fiberglass tonneau cover. I replaced the stock headlights, turnsignals and tail lights with some aftermarked ones. The interior was in bad shape. I replaced the bench seat with buckets and a center console out of an Explorer. I hand stitched a leather wrap on the steering wheel. I added a vacuume and volt gauge in a pillar mount. I even added one of those loud air horns.

I still have a few things left to do and that's where I need some help. The truck runs really good. The gears and the tires work well together. The ride is tight, but not harsh. Prior to this Ranger, I had an 02 Ranger Edge 2wd. I really liked the ride hight of the Edge, but at this point I can't sell the '96 to go find one. I was thinking about adding a 2 inch lift kit. This is my daily driver, so I don't want to have a real stiff, spine snapping ride. My front end looks a little off, so I have to get that adjusted anyway. This truck will not see any off roading. I might pull a jetski on the beach, but that's about it. I was thinking about adding the two inch lift blocks from a 4wd Ranger for the rear and some F-150 coil spacers for the front.

Here's my questions: what will it do to my ride quality? Will I have to get longer brake lines? Can I still use my sway bars? Will I have to extend them? Will I have to change out the shocks? I looked at the specs on the shocks and here's what I found: The 2wd fronts extend to 14.5 inches and collapse to 9.75, while the 4wd extend to 15.5 inches and collapse to 10 inches. Those are pretty close. The 2wd rears extend to 23 inches and collapse to 14.375 and the 4wd extend to 26 inches and collapse to 16. It's a little bit more noticable in the rear, but I'm not going off roading with it. This past summer, we had some deep flooding in my neighborhood and I would like my Ranger a little higher out of the water when I'm trying to get through it. And the final question: Would it even be worth all the effort?

 

[PanamaExpat]

Here's my questions: what will it do to my ride quality? Will I have to get longer brake lines? Can I still use my sway bars? Will I have to extend them? Will I have to change out the shocks? I looked at the specs on the shocks and here's what I found: The 2wd fronts extend to 14.5 inches and collapse to 9.75, while the 4wd extend to 15.5 inches and collapse to 10 inches. Those are pretty close. The 2wd rears extend to 23 inches and collapse to 14.375 and the 4wd extend to 26 inches and collapse to 16. It's a little bit more noticable in the rear, but I'm not going off roading with it. This past summer, we had some deep flooding in my neighborhood and I would like my Ranger a little higher out of the water when I'm trying to get through it. And the final question: Would it even be worth all the effort?

If all you are doing is adding leveling blocks front and rear then it shouldn't change the ride quality. That only happens if you change something in the springs. As far as I know your sway bars should reach that far without modification. If I am wrong on that I hope one of the suspension wizards we have on here will step in and correct me. Your brake lines should be fine and so should your stock shocks. Don't have it aligned until after you do your front end work.

I presume you are talking about something like these:

Pics are for example only. These are good for 2" lift.

The rear set is aftermarket but I know which ones you are describing. My 4X4 has them with the bump stops cast on to them.

Now if you are actually looking to replace the stock front coils with F-150 coils I believe your brake lines and shocks will still work. You will however have a difference in the overall ride as the front suspension will be a bit stiffer. But as soggy as these little trucks ride anyway you might appreciate that.

Would it be worth all the effort? With all that you have already done this is an easy upgrade. Your truck will look nicer with a little lift.

Don't forget to post pics of your work.

 

[LearjetMinako]

WOW, you've put a lot of work into your Ranger. I thought the list would never end.

As for the 2in lift thing. Just as PanamaExpat has said, get a leveling kit and install it.

 

[kirbo7106]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I changed out the flagstaff mirrors for the nice power mirrors. I still have to figure out how to wire them in. I also changed out the plain lower bumper valance for the one with fog light holes. And last but not least, I changed out the heater core! I know, how could I forget that! I read someone's post on how to change the heater core and they mentioned a "Happy Dance". Yeah, "Happy Dances" are reserved for events of epic proportions. You don't get a "Happy Dance" for checking the air in the tires or even changing the oil and filter. No, "Happy Dances" are for events that tear at your very automotive soul. They also mentioned something about when your dash looks like it exploded all over the inside of the cab, that you are only about half way there! Yeah, the "Happy Dance" also involves beer drinking and merry-meant! Lots of beer drinking. The beer drinking might last the rest of the weekend!