Front and rear Suspension of v8 swapped ranger general questions?

[SlugStang8997]

Hello Again i wanted to post a few questions that i have about my newly purchased v8 Ranger. Im probably one of the few v8 ranger owners who isn't a mechanic?

My 2001 Ford Ranger xlt double cab has a Mercury Mountaineer 5.0 v8 engine transmission and rear end. 4 speed automatic rear wheel drive.

The truck currently has new stock suspension in the front? Mountaineer suspension in back for load carrying.

Is the stock suspension in the front of the truck enough for the weight of the v8? I do know that the stock suspension is heavy duty but i don't know exactly what that means

I was going to do a 4inch spindle lift kit in the front then a block in the back of the truck to make the truck level.

Wondering if i will have any complications doing this because of the v8 engine?

What are common issues, complications with lifting a truck like mine. I was going to go to LTW Motorsports to have the lift done for me. I am not lifting the truck myself.

Is there anything special or additional things that need to be done in order to lift the truck? LTW didn't notice anything that would be a problem when they inspected my truck.

The truck is pretty beat up, and needs some TLC to the paint and upholstery and some body work done. Also needs some restoration of the glass in the truck.

I haven't decided what to do first to the truck. lift it first then do all the cosmetics or do the cosmetics first then lift later. Or don't lift the truck at all.

The truck raddles a little inside the cab when i hit bumps. Cab doesn't move though. Wondering if i should consider having the body mounts replaced or checked out at least witch is another issue. Wondering if the lift kit will make that situation better or worse.

 

[JoshT]

Is your truck coil spring or torsion bar in the front. I'm guessing coil spring. You've probably said in the past but I can't remember. Either way, you'll be fine.

I'm assuming that the truck was stock with a V6?

IIRC the 5.0L drivetrain assembly only weighs about 100 lbs more than the V6 drivetrains. You might sit fractionally lower than an equivalent V6 truck, otherwise the results of the lift will be basically the same.

Your call on lifting or not lifting. That's something only you can decide. FWIW, I'm trying to lower a formerly V6 4wd truck. Formerly because it is not a V8 AWD truck. Most people wouldn't even consider it, but there are a few nuts around here like me.

As for the order of operations. I'd do all the mechanical that I wanted done first, then cosmetics. In the event that something happens during the maintenance, you won't be risking fresh cosmetic work (paint, glass, detailing, etc).

Rattles are likely something loose from past work. Clips never fit as well as they did the first time resulting in trim that is a little looser. Once a bolt has been removed it rarely goes back in as tight as secure as first install. Try to narrow down where int he cab it is and check for loose fasteners or trim in that area. If it's something like a trim panel rattling against the body, piece of foam or something inbetween them can help.

If body mounts needed replacing one of the inspections you;ve had would have mentioned it, and I wouldn't replace unless necessary.

That's my 2¢

 

[bobbywalter]

suspension is a non issue with this vehicle and the sbf.

 

[superj]

since you have a v8 in it, i would lower it. i don't go off-road enough to lift a truck but i am on road every day. i would rather have something fun to drive everyday where i spend 100% of my time.

i think you should do all your maintenance items, brakes, fluids, cooling, etc, then do the suspension, then do the cosmetic stuff. or never do the cosmetic stuff so you don't attract unwanted attention from thieves and you have a sleeper that no one suspects is a fast fun truck because it looks unattractive.

thats just me. i like something that people fail to notice when they see it. keeps people from trying to get in to steal stuff and keeps the truck safe from joy rides when parked in big cities.

 

[19Walt93]

When I put the 351 in my 93 Ranger I bought the stiffest springs listed for the truck. It worked and the front doesn't sag. It has dropped beams in the front and I relocted the axle to the top of the rear springs to get it close to level. I didn't building a luxury cruiser, it rides pretty good for a 1 ton.