Cheap Lift???

[harveyj27]

So I just got my first 4x4 rig, its a 1999 ford ranger xlt. I want to put it on 265/75/16 a/t tires for occasionally wheeling and I am considering different lifts. While torsion keys and shackles seem cheap and easy to install, I've heard bad things about excessive wear and want to make sure I don't break anything if I don't have to. I guess my main questions are would a 3 inch body lift be better for these tires (approx. same as 32x10.5s), or would a 2 inch lift via shackles and tbar crank/keys be the way to go? Keep in mind I'm on a budget and $200-$250 is the absolute max i'd be willing to pay. Thanks.

 

[Sweet-85']

I say the way to go would be shackles, and a torsion bar crank to match. Your cost would be the shackles and a front end alignment. You shouldn't have any problems with 265/75/16's, a lot of guys are running up to 33's with that set up.

 

[don4331]

Welcome harveyj27:

Optional for your '99 Ranger were 265/75R15s from the factory with no lift/crank.

265/70R16s are only 1" bigger, so a 1/2" "leveling" crank and they would be fine: subject to wheel offset/depending on how aggressive you get with our wheeling.

Excessive wear on 2" shackle lift comes from the shackles are actually ~4½" longer due to the axle is slightly forward of center of spring. The resulting pinion angle is no longer correct and u-joints wear due to vibration, etc.

Doing torsion crank/keys and lifting the front 2" would result in very little droop left in suspension, which results in rough ride.

 

[Uncle Gump]

A 3 inch body lift would be overkill for 265's.... and by the time you buy the body lift and gap guards... you're probably over your defined "max" price.

Sweet 85 nailed the cheapest way to get a little clearance with the exception of some extended length shocks. You put a set of quality shocks into the mix... again... over your "max"

Don broke it down as to why this type of lift is less then perfect and the pitfalls of doing it. I also think he is right that a set of 265's will come real close to fitting without doing much... a little crank of the bars to level. With that said... I think the wheel wells will be pretty full and depending on what you are going to do off road... you may have some issues. I also feel like the truck should set proud over the tire and have stance.

My plan for my truck is 265 75 16's... a little crank on the stock torsion bar keys... an add a leaf that will increase load capacity of the leaf with minimal lift about 3/4 inch (according to ARB old man emu)... 4 KYB Monomax shocks... 16 x 8 4 inch back space wheels that will increase the track width by 3 inches overall. Then I'm gonna look at it... if it needs more lift to be "proud"... I'll fabricate a 1" body lift to get it where it needs to be.

To do the suspension modifications in my plan... roughly $400 with an alignment... before the body lift and wheels/tires