body lift vs leveling kit

[newlift]

So I've never had a lifted truck before but I would like to raise my 2008 ranger a few inches and I'm wondering what the different opinions are on the options available. As far as offroading I use my truck on lots of unpaved, unmaintained roads and a few trails in order to get to some uncrowded fishing spots and 90% of the time I am towing a trailer. I have 32" tires which fit as is but I'm worried about rubbing over big bumps.Right now I'm looking at two main options:

1) 2 or 3" bodylift

2) leveling kit (3" front, 1.5" back)

I will also be going back to stock sized winter tires so I would prefer if it didn't look too ridiculous.

 

[mdn14]

Crank your torsion bars up front and replace the shackles with belltech 6400's. That should give you about 1.5-2" front and back. Assuming you haven't done this already...

 

[bobbywalter]

i am one of the few idiots in the world that likes and prefers body lifts on 4x4,s if you plan to own it long term.

the ease of maintenance and cleaning far outweighs the cons for me.



in your situation, either way is fine really. though the torsion crank and shackles are the most cost effective.

 

[adsm08]

If you are only looking to better clear your larger tires, a body lift is the way to go. That is the whole point of a body lift, to clear tires that would otherwise be too large for the wheel well.

As for leveling kits, I generally refer to them as jackass kits. Trucks are supposed to have a bit of rake for when the back end is loaded. That way it doesn't squat too far and start pulling the front up too quickly.

 

[JoshT]

For 32' tires you won't even need a body lift. My 99 4wd is wearing 32x11.5 with no rubbing. It has a torsion twist and chevy shackles.

That's mine on 32s. I twisted the torsion bars up a little. In the rear I installed chevy lowering shackles that are carried at most local parts houses, they lift the rear 1-2 inches. The shackles have two bolt holes for the springs so it can be adjusted a little for height.

On your 2008 you will need to install earlier model torsion keys, pre-2007 IIRC, but it can get the same lift with them. It's also not so much twist that it rides rough.

For full disclosure I also have Explorer springs in back, but I removed the factory lift block so it's about the same height that it would be on stock springs with the block.

 

[newlift]

thanks for the input, I think I'm going to go with the body lift, In my mind it makes sense to keep the mechanicals of the truck stock, and the center of gravity a bit lower with the frame and everything being stock height other than the tires.