Does This Ranger Look Lowered?...

[Kreepy X]

Hey guys, I have a chance to pick up this 1987 Ford Ranger 2WD Shortbed Regular Cab for really cheap, I havent seen it in person yet but I have a few pictures. The guy said he thinks it is lowered but hes not 100% Sure. In the pictures, sometimes it looks lower and sometimes it dont lol. What do you guys think? If it is lowered, how many inches would you say? Thanks for looks and thanks for your time...

Jay

 

[Insanejughead]

Oh yes, that is lowered.

It looks as though it's done with cut coils in the front (because of the camber in the pic of it being driven) and an shackle flip in the rear.


Stock first and second gen rangers sat lower than the gen threes and later.

It looks good though; just need to fix that camber (super easy).

 

[Kreepy X]

Oh yes, that is lowered.

It looks as though it's done with cut coils in the front (because of the camber in the pic of it being driven) and an shackle flip in the rear.


Stock first and second gen rangers sat lower than the gen threes and later.

It looks good though; just need to fix that camber (super easy).

Thank you so much! Can you fix the camber with an alighment? The owner said it does slighty pull to the right so I am guessing thats why. It looks like maybe a 2/3 drop? Its hard to tell, I can spot it right on with a S10 but not with these Rangers.

 

[JoshT]

An alignment should be able to do it if the springs weren't cut too much. I doubt that it would be a full 2" spring cut, I imagine they cut a coil and the rest is from sagging. If they are cut too much it's fairly easy (but not cheap) to put stock coils back in, and put in dream beams to drop the front 3". Hopefully they didn't heat the coils to drop it. Given the condition the truck is in I'd get it regardless of drop. Needs a little body work but not much.

 

[Kreepy X]

An alignment should be able to do it if the springs weren't cut too much. I doubt that it would be a full 2" spring cut, I imagine they cut a coil and the rest is from sagging. If they are cut too much it's fairly easy (but not cheap) to put stock coils back in, and put in dream beams to drop the front 3". Hopefully they didn't heat the coils to drop it. Given the condition the truck is in I'd get it regardless of drop. Needs a little body work but not much.

You think the cab is sagging some too? My other Ranger had that problem so I put new body mount bushings in but I didn't think this one was sagging too. Yeah the truck is in good shape, he has a new fender for it too already painted. I've just always wanted a lower Ranger since theres not to many around my area, The S10s have been done to death haha.

 

[JoshT]

No I was referring to spring sag. Over time coil springs wear out and sag, or loose height. On my 84 I had probably lost close to an inch in height on the front from spring sag. I'm saying that if he cut coils he may not have cut much, and got more drop due to spring sag. This is important because most people recommend cutting 1-1.5 coils max, more than that and they say the ride goes to shit.

If the body mount bushings are stock they may be worn out and compressed a bit, but that probably wouldn't be more than 1/4 inch. If the body line between the cab and bed are aligned good then I doubt body bushings will be an issue unless you just want to change them.

New already painted fender makes it an even better IMO. If it were in my area you wouldn't have a chance to buy it, it would already be sold.

How low were you wanting to go with this truck? Static drop or air bags?

FWIW if you can get some good pics of the suspension people may be able to give you a better idea of how much (or if) it's already lowered.

 

[Kreepy X]

Thanks for the replys fellas, the guy is bringing down as we speak, I should have it in a few hours and tomorrow I will take some of my own pics of it along with the suspension pics. I don't want to air ride it, my roomate has a air ride S10 and it's just not me. I'd much rather to just lower it. I have heard it cost alot more to lower the Fords tho. I am thinking maybe just a 3/4 drop so it has a nice stance.

 

[Kreepy X]

A little about the truck by the way. It's a 2.3 4 Cylinder with automatic transmission. It has cold air intake and a header, i'm not sure if the header is stock or not. I've read that some did infact come with a header.

 

[slammedxonair]

Looks like either drop coils or cut coils and needs an alignment get the adjustable camber/caster eccentrics from NAPA and take it to an alignment shop. Tires look pretty big though.