best 6 in lift 83 ranger

[elias83ranger]

what do you guys think the best 6 inlift for my ranger would be. it would be for playin in the mud. my buddy thinks his tracker does better than the good old ranger but not any more. i would like to put decent size tires on it but i dont know if my 2.3 will spin bigger than 33 boggers but im new and i wanna know what you guys think ive looked at sky jacker kits and from this site it seems to be the best but i would have to buy shocks pitman arms alignment shims. but let me know what is required and where to get it thanks.

 

[Bennybooster]

did you even try to search?? People are so friggin lazy on this site

 

[4.0B2]

did you even try to search?? People are so friggin lazy on this site

how many times have we talked about 4-6 inch lifts recently?


6" lift? for a kit you don't have have much of a choice... skyjacker probably. 6" lift on ttb can be annoying tho. why not a 4" lift and 3" body lift? as much as i hate body lifts... just do the 6" skyjacker w/ ext radius arms, new rear leafs, and extreme drop pitman arm (fa6000) or superrunner steering kit.

SEARCH AROUND THE SITE... YOU'LL FIND THESE ANSWERS.

 

[dangerranger83]

Well the person seems to be new to it all but I will say that if yours is an 83, it has the D28 front suspension and it will NOT hold up to 33 inch boggers, you will snap an axles shaft in no time. I also do agree that the 2.3 may not be able to handle the tires to well either.

Thing with these trucks are its not as easy as slapping a lift on it and you are immortal to what you want. They werent built to offroading mudders, they were built to be fuel economy trucks so if you plan on truley having some fun her, your going to need some $$$ and some knowledge on them.

Now lets try welcoming people here guys, not everybody is as tech savy about these trucks are we are.

 

[4.0B2]

I understand some people don't know it. I was a newb once..
Which is why I stated about the kit and didn't just say search...

You will want to find an explorer 8.8 and d35 ttb axle set. And for 33's you'll want to gear to 4.56's or 4.88's(probably this since you have the 4 banger). Or even do a d44/9" combo. In the mud you shouldn't have a problem with a 8.8 and d35 IMO.

But with a d44 solid front axle, you could get the clearance you want and have a stronger solid axle that doesn't ain't so much like a plow.. But it will require more work. You won't last long if you just lift and throw those 33's on.

What gears do you have now?

 

[brinker88]

EXACTLY what 4.0B2 said. For example, Im running 33" super swampers with 3.27s on a D35/8.8 Combo and with street driving, it f-ing BLOWS. No power, wheel bearings go out in 1/2 the time, as well as the radius arm bushings allowing the ride quality to go to shit. Im in the middle of completely overhauling the D35 and swapping in an explorer 8.8 with discs to compensate for the bigger tires. Do your research and post pics up when you start your build!

As for lift, I would suggest the Rough Country 4" kit, as long as you're not flexing it out (they've been known for their shoddy ttb drop brackets puncturing the front diff but are in the process of fixing it). For the money, the kit's great ($450 with shocks and hardware). 33's would be perfect for that lift and if you wanna go bigger, just slap on a 3" body lift..

http://roughcountry.com/suspension/4wd-ford/ranger_83-97_4.html

 

[4.0B2]

I have a 4" rough country lift and you may need a little extra to make 33's clear when turning. Just trim the fenders down. But for the money, IMO you get a good kit. Just be prepared for some rough riding front coils. They are Pretty stiff. Do that and a 2-3" body lift and you'll be fine for in the mud LIFT wise.

You could run the stock axles until they break.... It's not if; it's when. Also for the time being if you want more traction and it's not a daily driver just weld the rear. If you plan on upgrading when needed anyways might as well lock up the 7.5 for cheap! Lol.

 

[brinker88]

Yea man I beat the SHIT out of a rough country lift for 2 years and I broke NOTHING. I was happy with them. But as you said, the coils are stiffer than a boner in math class.

 

[elias83ranger]

sorry guys a realy am new i just wanted some good info funneled down to my exact situation. with all said i think i like the 4 in rough country and body lift. about the axles once the axles go what about the guts what can i do to toughen up that ttb stuff if there isnt much you can do ill scrounge around for a pre 95 exploder front end. idk about the boggers i might go with other cheaper tires. my 2.3 is kinda tired and needs a tune up and im willing to do work to it but its still a 4 banger i just wanna be able to play in the mud and not get stuck much

 

[dangerranger83]

Its not as must toughing up the tbb as going to a stronger set (D28 to D35).

Rangers did come with the D35 but be warned, they also had some that were D28/D35 hybrids. A way to tell the differenced is the aluminum diff housing. If its smooth, then its the D28 guts. If it has ribs, then it the D35 guts and you are good. Another way to check is pull the fill plug. If you see a bearing cap, its D28 guts and if you see a carrier, then its D35.

Doing a D44 SAS and 9 inch isnt bolt in and the gears may not be what you want either, something like 3.50, and that wouldnt be good on a 4 banger with 33 inch tires.

It basiclly comes down to what your plans are for the truck. When I built mine, I made it a mudder, trail driver and DD street truck.

 

[elias83ranger]

my dif has ribs but i think its the 28 ill pull the fill plug and im gonna have my auto shop teacher find me a exploder front end and an 8.8 i have a 86 F 150 for parts but its not 4x4 but it has an 8.8 3.73 im sure someone would trade for an explorer 8.8 and i could buy gears to match the front end my plans for my truck anre like urs but mine wont be as mutch of a dd because i have a 70 mustang to drive to

 

[elias83ranger]

i definately have the d28, 2.5 knuckles 12 bolts well ill get the explorer stuff

 

[legoms013]

Skyjacker or James Duff if you have the money.

Tuff Country if you don't (make sure that it comes with coils).

Search around, there is endless info on this all over TRS and in the Tech Library & Online Magazine.

Remember to address the steering if you are dead set on 6" of lift. FA600 or SuperRunner (modded).

 

[dangerranger83]

The f150 8.8 rear end is the same as a ranger 8.8 rear end. Both are 28 spline axles but the f150 is just wider due to it being a full width vehicle. Pre 94 explorers are the same way but not full width and they have spring under configuration, meaning you better have somebody to weld spring perches for you.

The good explorer axles are those that are 95+ in years. They have the disk brakes and 31 spline axles but are too spring under.

I know thta you have a D28 under yours, thats a fact no need to pull the plug for that. Its only for those rangers in the 90's that could have the D28/D35 combo.

Im currently running a D30 SAS with a 7.5 rear end with a 2.8 liter v6, TK4 tranny 3.73 gears and all of that is on 32x11.50x15 BFGoodrich M/T's. Going 302 next spring though and stuff will have to change (not the front axle though).

 

[elias83ranger]

well i will find some of the explorer parts and get the skyjacker kit