Different 4x4 factory lift height between model/years?

[Canuck4x4]

...Even though the previous owner stated that this 2003 4x4 xlt has no lift kit in it....im starting to doubt it. I have noticed that in comparison to other ranger 4x4's, it appears to be sitting taller. Today I parked beside my uncle's 08 ranger 4x4...and mine is a bit higher.
....Just curious if all the model years that came with 4x4 and 16" rims..are all the same stock lift height from the factory?
Is there one measurement that I can Take, say from the pavement to the lower rocker under the doors, that I can compare to stock factory specs, so that I will know for sure?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Might compare and see if your truck has much of a rake (the rear being taller than the front)

You might not have a lift kit but cranked torsion bars which picks up the front of the truck. Just a different suspension setting, no other parts required.

Also towards the end of production Rangers started getting lower. Not sure if it was for handling or mpgs or what the driving force behind it was. It was around '08 so that might have caught the other truck too.

 

[adsm08]

Also, 16" rims on a Ranger was uncommon. Most had 15" for most of the production run.

 

[Canuck4x4]

...I am going to take a few measurements today. I want to lift it either 3" front/ 2" back or 3" front and back...or 2" front and back...lol. I want it to look good with the 245/75/16's that are on it now. Might go up to 31's ....but no bigger.

 

[Canuck4x4]

...Ok so I took some measurements. On the rear, from the pavement to the fender lip is 36.25 inches. The front is 34.25 inches. I thought the front should be 1 inch shorter than the back? For ground clearance...from the pavement to the lower rocker..under the driver's door is 18".

 

[4x4junkie]

'08 is when Ford lowered the 4WD Ranger's stance about 1". You'll likely find the rear axle blocks are taller on your '03 than the '08.

16" wheels are quite rather common on Rangers starting with '98 models. Before then they were not offered.

 

[Jim Oaks]

X2 what Junkie said.

There were actually (3) different styles of 16x7 inch wheels available on the Ranger between 1998-2007. The 16x7's would have came with 245x75x16 tires. Someone could have put 265x75x16's on it which would have made it sit a little higher. But yes, a factory '03 will sit taller that a factory '08.

 

[Canuck4x4]

...Is it normal for the rear to be sitting 2 inches taller than the front from the factory?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

...Is it normal for the rear to be sitting 2 inches taller than the front from the factory?

Yeah.

It is so the truck doesn't look like a dog with a bad case of worms when you have stuff in the bed.