2002 Suspension(ish) lift, Shock questions

[Uncle Gump]

I'm also not big on body lifts... but i pieced together a one inch kit that will go under it someday.... maybe

 

[Uncle Gump]

Pictures aren't the best... but just look at it. If they have a negative arch or just flat... they're past prime.

If you live in the rust belt... you'll likely need rear spring hangers too.

 

[b3million]

When we talk front lift... let's be on the same page. Use this for your measurements. I'm not sure i doubt you could achieve 2 1/2 inches measured this way.

2" is fine, then. I said that because the add-a-leafs from BDS supposedly add 2.5 in of ride height in the rear. It was either that or some lifting springs I looked at. I don't want to complicate anything, lol. That front setup is a doozy and I'll have to get back out to the truck to visualize it. The documentation on this site unfortunately doesn't include shock measurements for my year.
I could do 2" keys and 1" in the rear, or 3" and 2". If i get the shackle kit I can try both and see how I like them.
I'm not sure how much my truck has sunk over time. I'll measure rear ride height later.

Do your upgraded springs add ride height?

 

[b3million]

Pictures aren't the best... but just look at it. If they have a negative arch or just flat... they're past prime.

If you live in the rust belt... you'll likely need rear spring hangers too.

Past prime probably describes them. they're not completely flat but they're definitely getting there. I was trying to show how they arch or don't arch compared to the frame. I really don't have a good way to take a picture.

I bought the truck from a guy in northern VA. he got it from Maryland. I live in the deep south. Some rust but not much.

 

[b3million]

I’m thinking I need new leafs. 1750s are actually cheaper than my current springs so it looks like I’m upgrading. I think i’ll also go ahead with the keys and shackle kit. My drive shaft should be okay, I figure. I’ll measure the length of shocks I need once I get it up off the ground.

 

[don4331]

Three things.
1. What are wedges?
2. Everything i’ve read indicates blocks tend to destroy leaf springs over time, and I really am not keen on replacing them.
3. When I say more travel, I specifically mean a long travel kit. There are some out there for ~$4000. That’s a long way down the road.

I feel like I could tolerate an add a leaf, as long as I don’t need longer shocks. My next upgrade after the lift will be bilsteins, so shocks will come one way or another. That should help with the ride, I think.

Wedges aka shims, e.g. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fsb-fb27370

As I noted 4-1/2" shackle lift to get 2" axle lift (Ranger spring are ~57" long, axle is ~25" back from front hanger) results in ~4* rotation of the pinion... Therefore you need the shims to put it back where Ford engineers calculated it should be.

The long travel kits for ~$4k are just for the arms/shafts, that doesn't include the spring/shock set up.