88 xlt lookin to add a little height

[baxtej44]

I still want my truck to be a DD, i don't trail, and don't plan on it (don't hate me for it haha)... and i don't have plans on ever needing a trailer, but wouldn't mind it... so i haul stuff in my bed in the mean time, but don't plan on having like a palate of concrete bags or anything like that.


Looking to maybe add a little height? Gonna post in the photoshop forum to see what it would look like.


What all entails adding a little height? Parts wise?

I am looking on broncograveyard, and they have some coil springs that are advertised to add height, the same with shocks and leaf springs as well.


What is a decent height to add to a DD? I was thinking maybe 3" at the most? How noticeable is that? If I got 3" parts, would I get an actual 3" out of it?



And I know it must sound like an idiotic question, but what's the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift? Does a body lift literally just take the body and jack it up from where the mounts are? And a suspension lift just increase the height from the axle?



By the way, if you haven't been able to tell yet already, i have no clue about suspensions.

 

[4x4junkie]

Lol. We all were there at one point

Yes, a body lift lifts the body itself up off the frame (uses spacers on top of the body mount bushings). Typically they are used as a cheap way to stuff bigger tires under there. However they have other practical uses such as adding more clearance in the transmission tunnel for a engine/trans swap, and/or for having more total lift than what is practical in a suspension-only lift.

Suspension lifts move the axles themselves away from the frame for more lift. More expensive, but you actually get performance improvements such as a greater amount of wheel travel for soaking up bigger bumps, or for keeping your tires on the ground better while traversing severely undulated surfaces offroad.


If you're just looking for a small lift, the easiest way would probably be a set of leveling coils or spacers to go under the stock coils. These are good for about 2" lift and can run anywhere from $10 to $100 or so (add another $50-60 for 2" rear shackles for the rear).

For more than 2" you will need to get a full suspension lift kit however, otherwise you won't be able to realign your frontend properly (or alternatively you can go the bodylift route).

Hope that helps.

 

[strvger]

also, body lifts do not change your factory ride. just a little higher center of gravity, but from what you said about what you'll be hauling/towing, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[86 slo-vo]

if it were me since you have a nice pretty clean truck, id go 2 inch leveling coils and some 2 inch shackes (probably $150 bucks) and throw some 30 or 31 A/T's on it and roll

it would be nice clean and function well and you wont have the cheep body lift look

 

[baxtej44]

does it matter if i go with leveling coils or coil spacers?

also, would i have to buy and put everything on together? (meaning the coils or spacers up front go on at the same time i have to put the 2" shackles in the back?)

all i can really find is a lot of daystar products... good, bad, or ugly?

 

[86 slo-vo]

the coil spacers will work,bt if it were me id go coils but that is all up to you....dont have to do it all at once may just have to drive around for a little with the front up a little

 

[baxtej44]

the coil spacers will work,bt if it were me id go coils but that is all up to you....dont have to do it all at once may just have to drive around for a little with the front up a little

is it extremely noticeable? i wouldn't care really lol... but it's like i hate buying something, and not being able to put it on... but i wouldn't be able to afford buying both at the same time lol.


i can't really find any shackles.... i am not looking for drop shackles am I???

 

[4x4junkie]

Yes. BellTech 6400 drop shackles for a fullsize Chevy. Because the shackle configuration is reversed on your Ranger, they will lift it.

And DO NOT use Daystar's garbage spacers, they just crumble and disintegrate under the pressure of the spring. You want spacers made from metal.

 

[86 slo-vo]

Yes. BellTech 6400 drop shackles for a fullsize Chevy. Because the shackle configuration is reversed on your Ranger, they will lift it.

And DO NOT use Daystar's garbage spacers, they just crumble and disintegrate under the pressure of the spring. You want spacers made from metal.

agreed....if your truck sits a little higher in the rear right now do the front first or vise versa....shouldnt be too noticeable

 

[crawlin91]

1,222 posts and you dont know the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift? What exactly would you sayyy ya do here?

 

[baxtej44]

1,222 posts and you dont know the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift? What exactly would you sayyy ya do here?

thanks for being an absolute dick.

 

[crawlin91]

Damn I thought cornhuskers had thicker skin, it was a joke. It seemed the others pretty much answered your q's already. Body lifts are cheap, so are Belltech shackles(which I run myself) and taller coils. Check the tech library for more info on cheap easy ways to lift or better yet the search option at the top of the page...

 

[baxtej44]

i apologize for calling you a dick, but a simple jk clears a lot of things up and prevents misunderstandings like this.

 

[crawlin91]

jk ok.
You figure out what your going to do to lift it yet?

 

[baxtej44]

it'll be a while, but i'm gonna probably go with the shackles and not sure if i want coil spacers or coils yet.

been thinking of investing in good shocks too, but that'll probably be later.