Advice on lowering

[merrok45]

First off, I am NOT wanting to make a lowrider out of my truck. Already had one Im wanting to make a "Pro touring" style street truck out of it. I will be dropping a 347 that at some point will be supercharged and a Tremec 5 speed in it. What I want is a slight drop that will give me better overal handling and performance (I want it to be able to go around corners, not just straight lol) but not the lowrider look. Any advice on how to get that?

 

[Insanejughead]

Flip the shackles in the rear and go at that. All it takes is some time to grind out the rivets that hold the hangar in place; then use grade eight hardware to bolt it back in place, upside down.

Also, if you're wanting a ranger to handle in corners better, I recommend nothing more than a sway-bar upgrade with poly bushings. It's my experience that poly cab mounts help out cab lean IMMENSELY!


The look of a pro touring pickup that you're going for only needs the performance quality options. You could get some lowering beams (Belltech or DJM are good, I've used them both) and then flip your rear axle to achieve the lowered stance that would improve handling to a degree, but I also drive on rough Missouri roads frequently and that stance didn't suit the terrain.



Best plan of action: Do one thing at a time and see how you like it for a week, month, or so.

 

[low~n~blue]

i wanted that same style so here are a few picks of mine. Mine has DJM drop beams and a flipped rear end with a 1 inch chevy lower shackle which helped raise it an inch so it was not bully doggin'. My truck can take just about ANY corner i can throw it into. Raced shifter karts out here in AZ and taken the truck around the track a few times.

Also, using a wheel/tire combo with with stronger and lower side walls will make a big difference in handling.

Here is how it sat before.

After the 4 inch drop.

like i said, i still have plenty of ground clearance to tow my quad and trailer up dirt roads no problem, but made a HUGE difference in handling and styling. ALSO A NOTE THAT THE TRIE AND WHEEL COMBO IS SAME DIAMETER AS FACTORY WHICH IS PICTURED IN FIRST PHOTO. this should help ya with what you can expect with the drop. just recently increased the trie diameter to .5 over stock.

 

[low~n~blue]

This is what I imagine you are going for with your truck. This guy has a lot of videos of him racing but this seems to be the best touring ranger i've ever seen.

http://youtu.be/iJvtzXppcQ4

 

[merrok45]

Thats just about exactly what I am looking for. Thanks. I had a lowered std cab a few years ago and that thing would corner like it was on rails. But that thing was to low for me. lol.

As for those videos that is good inspiration for my project. I am wanting to build a race truck I can drive every day. So the big ass wings might be a bit much for what I am doing But man that ranger is badass.

 

[low~n~blue]

Haha no problem! and ya i agree the wing is too much and the front splitter is too much but he claims he needs it. I've been drooling at the thought of a v8 in my truck, one of these days!

I am guilty though, i had a wing on mine for about 3 days lol. it was a 1970 mach1 mustang remake wing that we were swapping for the real deal so figured id see how it looked but there's a reason trucks don't have wings.

Here's a pic, hard to see on there but its there.

Any way if you go with the DJM kit you'll really love it. It's a nicely put together kit, only advice is if your truck has some miles on it like mine, be prepared to fight the leaf spring bushings when flipping the axle.

 

[merrok45]

Haha no problem! and ya i agree the wing is too much and the front splitter is too much but he claims he needs it. I've been drooling at the thought of a v8 in my truck, one of these days!

I am guilty though, i had a wing on mine for about 3 days lol. it was a 1970 mach1 mustang remake wing that we were swapping for the real deal so figured id see how it looked but there's a reason trucks don't have wings.

Here's a pic, hard to see on there but its there.

Any way if you go with the DJM kit you'll really love it. It's a nicely put together kit, only advice is if your truck has some miles on it like mine, be prepared to fight the leaf spring bushings when flipping the axle.

Lol, yeah... trucks dont need wings unless they are true racing trucks. Makes them have to much of that "Ricer" look

 

[doorgunner]

1989 Ford Ranger XLT chassis.............



3" drop in front.........4" drop in rear......V8 in the middle......

 

[stmitch]

Do it!
Here's mine:

 

[low~n~blue]

I love those wheels! Your truck looks sweet! what drop are you running? I'm really throwing around the idea of switching my bed from splash step side to standard. it's the only thing thats ever bothered me about mine.