97 2wd leveling

[tbunch]

I know this has been covered 1000 times, and I have done my homework. I've leveled rangers before, but the 97 2wd is a funky one with little support. I have not been able to talk to anyone that has successfully leveled one. Puck spacers don't work as the spring bolt is to short, but they don't make stud extenders for this year since it's a different bolt size. ive checked every specialty bolt and hardware store and they have longer bolts, but none are threaded far down enough to work, ford doesn't sell them either. I was thinking of putting a spacer on top, but the only ones they sell are 3" which is too aggressive. The guy I'm doing it for is on a budget so before I tell him his only option is lift springs I though I'd check here for success stories of leveling this specific truck. Responses are appreciated!

 

[Curious Hound]

What about getting the longer bolts and running them through a die to thread the unthreaded part?

 

[tbunch]

Thought about that, just don't have a did the right size die, I think he's gonna have to get lift springs though, his original stock springs were rusted to an unsafe degree and sagging real bad when I looked at the truck and took it all apart. I think a spacer will cause them to fail sooner so he might as well go for the lift spring now and do it right... now to find the right lift spring..

 

[Doofy]

I added helper springs on the rear, still wasn't happy so I added air shocks. Great leveling cheap and really boosted my load carrying capacity.