97 2wd lift or lower?

[Out of my mind CJ5]

I'm debating wether i should lift or lower my truck. Its a 2 wheel drive step side 97. it has the 2.3 and 5 speed. I'm stuck because i have a miata that is like my street car and a project cj7 that is a beast on 37's that will be like my offroader when it's finished. if i went with a lift i would like to set it up in a more desert racing style fashion and lowered i think i would like to put a nice rake to its stanc and turbo it. whats your all'sthoughts and opinions

 

[hoosier1104]

Stock height and drop in a 302. Just saying.

 

[getrdone52]

3" lift, flares, 33s, 4.10s, and a 302.

 

[Out of my mind CJ5]

sounds like someone has had that lift idea in mind. why does everybody want to swap in a 302

 

[Tb8983]

sleeper status for sure. turbo or a fi302 your choice either way it would be fun

 

[RangerBoy94]

Screw the 302!! Drop a 2.0 in it. It'll be fine.

 

[Bennybooster]

sell it and spend the rest of your money finishing the cj

 

[dasfinc]

sounds like someone has had that lift idea in mind. why does everybody want to swap in a 302

Because they are completely different animals, Street/Strip/Offroad, the ONLY con to a 302 in a ranger is fuel economy, Period.

 

[nb11]

The gas mileage in a 302 can't be that bad, can it? I would think it wouldn't be that much worse than a 4.0. I know my dad has an f-150 with a 5.4 and he gets 19mpg combined, and I get about 24 combined in my 2.3. More powerful engine pulling around less weight of a ranger shouldn't be that bad, right? I guess it would be hard to stay off the skinny pedal, though, with a 302 lol.

 

[dasfinc]

The gas mileage in a 302 can't be that bad, can it? I would think it wouldn't be that much worse than a 4.0. I know my dad has an f-150 with a 5.4 and he gets 19mpg combined, and I get about 24 combined in my 2.3. More powerful engine pulling around less weight of a ranger shouldn't be that bad, right? I guess it would be hard to stay off the skinny pedal, though, with a 302 lol.

I get 19/20 on the highway with 4.10's on a 28 inch tire keeping my foot out of it, so I'm sure I could land low 20's once I step down my gear to a 3.55 to make better use of my supercharged powerband.

I however get 11/12 in town when I have trouble keeping my foot out of it.....

 

[superds]

sell it and spend the rest of your money finishing the cj

I think sell the CJ and buy another RBV 4x4 and put 37s on that.

Oh, yeah, and lower the 2wd Ranger slightly, around 1-2" and level it out front to rear.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Do what you want to do. Turbo and lift it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I however get 11/12 in town when I have trouble keeping my foot out of it.....

That is the biggest problem with the 302, it is almost too much fun to let them sing.

You already have the street scene and offroad scene nailed with vehicles that can do either better than a 2wd Ranger. I vote leave it as your reliable dd so when your toys break you don't have to walk to work.

 

[straycat]

The best thing for you to do it just Google pics of lifted and lowered Rangers and see what you like the best and stick with that. It is your ride, so be happy with what you choose, Bro!!!

 

[Out of my mind CJ5]

I think sell the CJ and buy another RBV 4x4 and put 37s on that.

Oh, yeah, and lower the 2wd Ranger slightly, around 1-2" and level it out front to rear.

sorry but that definitly isn't gonna happen, i've owned 13 cj's now and this only my second ranger. How expensive is it to lift a 2wd ranger like this to a reasonable height tho, i know lowering could be done on the cheap
I don't exactly like the idea of a 302 because the cj already has a monster in it. 360 bored .30 stroked with a 401 crank 750 holley double pumper fenderwell headers and yada yada yada