Anything besides T Bar crank?

[Murdock]

Here is my situation. I have a 98 4x4 Ranger. My rear leaf springs are wearing out and causing my whole rear axles to move. Occasionally I will brake hard and here the axle pull on the drive line.

So, I'm thinking of going to a bigger leaf from a chevy or explorer (haven't really look into it much). However it would lift my rear higher than where it is already. I have read about the T Bar cranking but since I do allot of off road driving by for work more than pleasure, I want to maintain a smooth ride. Everyone bashes the keys however I'm not even sure as to how they affect it since I haven't gotten under and started to investgate.

Do I have any other option other than a $500 lift kit? I can fabricate anything I would need. I would appreciate any opinions and suggestions provided.

 

[4x4junkie]

You can raise the frontend up to about 2" from stock before you'll have issues elsewhere.
The keys often take you a lot higher than that though, and is why they're often looked down on (in some cases the stock keys are close to maxed out though, and aftermarket keys would help, but just be sure the front isn't cranked up near max, you want at least 2-3" of extension travel left in the suspension from where it sits at ride height).

As for the rear springs, sounds like loose u-bolts or maybe you have a broken leaf in the spring pack.

 

[tanbuddy]

The rear might have a broken center bolt, that would make for a easy 5 dolar fix. Or else it could be bad or loose u bolt or the plate they bolt through.
In the front crank them about 1.5 inches. On all the rengers/ explorers. f 150 ive seen, they only have 3 inchs down travel stock, so dont crank them too much or it will ride bad and wear shit out.

 

[Yellowsplash]

Cranking the torsion bars to 2" usually max out the shocks. This is one reason it rides bad. If you were to get extended shocks, even 1", should help with ride quality. I wouldnt recommend cranking anything more than 2" though, which is why keys are not needed. The bolts should have plenty of adjustment to play with. This still doesnt leave much downtravel, even with extended shocks.