Explorer leafsprings and Chevy shackles on my 2001 Ranger?

[dieseldan89]

i have read many times on all sorts of different sites, that you van put Explorer leafsprings and Chevy shackles on Ford Rangers to give them a few inches in lift.

But my question is are there specifications on what year Explorer leaf springs and what year Chevy shackles are supposed to be used on my 2001 Ranger?

i would appreciate any help on this.

besides that. what can i do to get my front end lifted up high, i did the torsion arm trick and the coil spacers, but i want to go higher, any tips tricks and info are welcome.

thanks.

 

[86ford]

If you have coil spring spacers I want to see it.

The bell tech Chevy drop shackles provide lift for Rangers since the shackles face down in a Ranger and face up in a Chevy. I have not done the "upgrade" in question so I can not offer any personal experience but the general agreement is that you will get an average of 2-3 inches from the shackles and Explorer leaf springs.

As for the front end, cranking the torsion bars is about all you can do without breaking the bank and spending a few thousand on a lift kit. In the end with a lift kit all you will have is a taller truck with equally shitty flex.

86

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Early 90's 4-door explorer springs will work to gain up to 2" of lift. If you tear the packs apart an custom build something you can gain maybe another inch.

Chevy drop shackles (Belltech 2400) work with all Rangers and BIIs for lift as far as I know (Ford didn't change much with the suspension over the years)

There is no way to do a torsion twist and coil spacers on a 2001... only a torsion twist.

If you want to go higher than the 2" you can get out of a torsion twist in the front, be prepared to shell out some money... There are not many lift kits available, nearly all (if not all) require welding (for the 4x4 models), and the only other choice is to fab an SAS swap.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

I don't know what you think about body lifts, but my 3" PA is working out prettygood for me. It's no rock crawler but I can fit 285/75's under it with plenty of space and no rub.

If you cranked up your t-bars all the way, you are going to wan't to d-crank them if you go off roading at all. Unless you like replacing cv joints. I cranked mine up to fit my tires until I got the body lift. I left them cranked just a little bit to kinda level it out.

 

[dieseldan89]

good thing you told me you cant do the coil spacers on a 2001, i was goin to do it today, take the pics to show "86ford" i ended up not because its raining and hailing, and the guarage has a jeep in it that needs a trans put back in it.

i found a good set of explorer leafs at a junkyard i want to pull them tomorrow if its clear outside. also thinking about putting add-a-leaf on them fatbobsgarage.com sells the kit for 39.99

another yard out here has a ranger (im trying to buy for around 300) with a james duff lift kit, body lift kit, on it. im afraid though that the james duff lift kit wont fit my 2001 you think i can make some adjustments to make it fit? i'll axle swap it weld it cut shit off whatever i gotta do to fit it. is it possible though?

 

[dieseldan89]

this is the james duff set up thats on the ranger thats in the junkyard that im trying to get. worth it if i can make them fit $300

 

[wizkid00104]

It is possible, but if you are going to completely redo the suspension, do a SAS. If I were you I'd get that Ranger with the duff lift and try and make that work as a 4 wheelin vehicle. If it is too bad get another an piece those together. I think you would be very disappointed for all the work you'd have to do to get an 83-97 suspension under your 2001.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

That kit will not work on your Ranger, your truck has a SLA front suspension and the one with the Duff stuff is TTB... If you want more than a t-bar crank really the only thing you can do is buy a lift kit ($$$)

 

[wizkid00104]

If you can get that truck for $300, do it. That is a steal even if it doesn't run!

 

[dieseldan89]

if i can get the truck, i wont try the swap, just talked to a buddy he said no way it would fit. but i would clean it up interior is trashed, no dents on the exterior but the bed liner is F'ed up no big deal. i think i would sell it after a good clean and a few repairs, and put that money towards a nice set up for my 2001.

now im thinking of doing a spindle lift, anyone know where i can find a cheap kit?

 

[dieseldan89]

damnit!! this is starting to get annoying. the spindle lift (from what ive read) only works on 2wd. and the cheaper lift kits for the front end fit 97 and under. its getting aggrevating to lift the front end of my 2001 for cheap. cheapest so far is a body lift.

my front end is just gonna have to wait till i get some cash.

i think i will just work on the chevy drop shackles, an add-a-leaf or explorer leafs, body lift, flowmaster exhaust, cold air intake and a k&n air filter for now.

thanks for all the feedback.

 

[JohnnyO]

damnit!! this is starting to get annoying. the spindle lift (from what ive read) only works on 2wd. and the cheaper lift kits for the front end fit 97 and under.

Now you're learning.

its getting aggrevating to lift the front end of my 2001 for cheap. cheapest so far is a body lift.

Rule of thumb with late models is they are cheap to lift a little and expensive to lift a lot.

Moved to 4x4 Suspension Forum.

 

[95RangerAK]

Gen III RULES!!!