body or suspension lift?

[mondo77]

Hey guys, let me just start off by sayin that I'm new to rangers, only had mine for 2 months. Well I've decided it's time to start making it off road capable. My main dilemma is choosing the right kind of lift kit for me. I have an 04 extended cab edge 3.0 liter with a torsion bar front end.

The two main kits that I am currently looking at are either one from fat bobs garage which is a 3" kit with torsion keys up front and a leaf in the back for about $230, or either the 3" fabtech spindle kit.

One main question I have is if I go with just the torsion key and leaf kit, how much would it help with shock absorsion? Because maybe its just my truck but right now the suspension is CRAZY stiff.
Also, if I got the fabtech, how much would it actually help with making the suspension softer. Again, I'm new to the whole lifting deal so please try and explain somewhat simply.

Any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

WELCOME: mondo77

You have come to the right place for information on how to mod your truck. First and foremost I must give you a bit of helpful advice before someone breaks out the blow torch . . .
Check our AWESOME Technical Library - http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.php the best thing about this library: no membership required, can access it 24 hrs a day, no annoying kiddos to trip over, you can download and print ANYTHING with out paying $0.10 per page and you don't have to be quiet. Only drawback - no fine college girls to ogle at while pretending to read about your truck.

Ok with that all aside - I have no idea how to help you - I am lowered -check the TL and if you still have Q's come on back and the pros will guide you accordingly.

Also please tell us a bit about yourself in the intro section - this is a social forum - how can we make fun of you if we don't know anything about you - but all in fun with this huge Ranger family.
Again Welcome and I am gonna shut up now -

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can acheive the max lift you can get with the stock keys, going too high will make it ride really rough and is hard on the t-bars... bad news if you break one. That will make your truck sit about level, if you want to keep the rake you will need to play with the springs or shackels. Beltech 6400 shackles will get you about 2" of lift.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TorsionBar.html

 

[BlackBII]

The kit with the torsion keys is a waste of money, you can crank the bars with the stock keys to acheive a good amount of lift (2" or so without killing your ride)

You may beable to get a spindle lift...

I say go with a body lift and crank the bars to level it out, should be good for about 4-5" or so.

 

[Ranger44]

What size of tire do you want to run?

As everyone has said before, the easiest way to acheive lift is cranking the torsion bars:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TorsionBar.html

I'd keep the rake of the truck, that is if you actually use the truck. Otherwise you'll drag ass whenever you have it loaded. So I'd agree with 85_Ranger4x4 and just say use the 6400 bell-tech shackles for the rear.

If you want more lift after that....go with a 3" body lift.

 

[fordboi415]

Just do the torsion and spindle lift together then you don't have to deal with an ugly body lift as for the spindle and the way it rides its pretty much the same as stock, if your truck is riding really still already then cranking then torsion bars is gunna make it even more stiff

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just do the torsion and spindle lift together then you don't have to deal with an ugly body lift

Do it right and it will take a trained eye to tell the difference.

A suspension lift is a waste on a 2wd truck unless you are doing desert racing IMO, even moreso on the 98+ trucks.

 

[fordboi415]

Dude even with those cheap gap guards you can still tell if there's a body lift or not, with suspension lifts you get more travel and as long as your not trying to go through deep ass mud or up vertical wall then it isn't a waste I use every bit of my suspension lift when I offroad and I do it mostly slowly

 

[RangerRocker]

I agree with fordboi415. Get a spindle lift. A body lift won't make you anymore off-road capable...just the body is taller. There's no more ground clearance. Check out Doetsch too. They have a spindle kit for your truck for cheaper than fabtech. Or you can check outerformancelifts.com for the fabtech kit for less money.

http://doetsch-shocks.com/9.asp

 

[mondo77]

thank you guys so much! really is great to have so many people tryin to help me out. so far, i'm seein that i can lift/level the front end just by cranking on the torsion adjuster bolts up front if i'm correct. thanks for the link 85_ranger

to ranger 44, im thinkin of running bfgoodrich AT's in 31x10.5 simply because i dont feel like buying new wheels to fit 32x12.5's.

so with this torsion bar adjustment would i be able to run 31's without worrying about rubbing when turning up front?

 

[fordboi415]

Yes you could run 31s, you might have rubbing issues though but I doubt it

 

[RangerRocker]

You will be fine with 31's. Im in the same boat you are. I have an 02 edge. I cranked my torsion bars, it worked great, totally level now. I have done extensive research on all the stuff I can do to my truck and once I start to do it all, I will let you know how it goes.

Good Luck.

 

[Loanranger]

At least 10 inches of each.

 

[mondo77]

thanks guys. well I think I'm gonna go with cranking the torsion bars to level it out then throw the 31's on. After that if I want a little more lift then I might go with the spindle lift recommended by RangerRocker. Seems pretty cheap and looks ok.

quick Q on the spindle lift though. If I got the kit through Doestch, what else would i have to buy?

 

[Viper Command]

you should check w/ doestch to see if the rear lift comes withthe kit, brake lines are also important