Concerning lifts and tires sizes and not breaking things

[Dweano]

OK, heres my plan, put a three inch body lift on my 1996 4x4 ranger and then squeeze on some 33's. But according to the tire fitment chart and well...looking at it, i'd have quite a hard time doing that. Along with the possibility of ripping my fenders to shreds hitting a big bump i think i will get a 4 inch suspension lift. Will a seven inch total lift look goofy with only 33's? Ive looked around and haven't been able to find this lift/tire combo for my year. But just a body lift probably won't work right? Thanks

 

[97fordrunner]

I am running a 4" suspension lift and 3"BL with 32s in my '97

There is a lotta fender there but 33s will look ok.
A 3" BL probably would clear the tires, they may rub on the bumper on full lock

 

[organic]

I run 33's with only a 3" body lift and I don't rub at all, even with the removed sway bar. It helps that my rims have 3.75" backspacing.

 

[Dweano]

Hmm, so both ways would work, i guess i'll hold off on ordering a suspension lift until i know what happens when my body lift on. What does removing the sway bar do?

 

[4x4junkie]

Removing the swaybar lets your suspension flex better offroad so all your tires stay on the ground better. The tradeoff is somewhat worse onroad handling (more body lean).

I ran 33x12.50s on 15x8 rims (3.75" backspace) with a 2.5" lift on my '94 for a couple years. Most I had was a small bit of tire rub on the front-lower part of the rear fenders when flexed out hard. No rub at all in normal driving.

 

[Dweano]

Alright thanks, i guess i'll stick with my three inch body lift unless i got some serious problems haha. And now i am more knowledgeable about sway bars, but i think i will keep them on. I don't like body lean, i rolled my first car which wasn't exactly the best experience of my life and i'd like to spare the ranger that fate haha.