getting the ranger ready for the drive.

[wakingtowinter]

Got some rear suspension questions, guys. It's a sad thing to do, but it's gotta be done. I've decided to lower the ranger a bit and put it on 33s. I'm packing all my stuff into my truck and moving to Wisconsin in a month, and this seems like a logical thing to do. Better gearing, hopefully a slight increase in MPG, less wear on parts, etc. I will be moving to northern WI and I intend this truck to be less of a wheeler and more of a northern WI/upper peninsula exploration road warrior rig. There will be some mild offroading, but the main goal is to get it more capable for long distance driving and bad weather expeditions. Already ordered some 33x12.5x15 BFG KM2s, going to get them siped and get chains for them. Also scored some black rock crawler wheels off CL for $100.

In front I have a 6" suspension lift and 2" coil spacers, and in the rear I have skyjacker leaf springs, belltech shackles and what look like 2" lift blocks. I also have a 3" body lift. So the front is obvious. Remove the coil spacers and I'm good to go for the 33s. But in the rear, what would be the way to go? I have a parts truck with stock springs and shackles. So I could remove the blocks, put the stock springs back on, put the stock shackles back on...what's the way to go? Obviously I want as much flex as possible, but I also don't want the rear to squat a bunch when I put weight in it. I was also thinking about doing an add a leaf in the back, but I read that will inhibit flex.

Here she is:



After the 33s go on, there's also a white steel utility canopy to put on (200 lbs or so?), and my CB and PIAA lights from my old truck will also go on.

 

[RavoHimself]

have you thought of removing the BL?

 

[wakingtowinter]

Really don't want to deal with the bumpers, and also the coil spacers need to come out, because even with the FA600 drop pitman arm, the steering gets a little sketchy on the highway. With 6" suspension lift in the front, it should be OK, 8" is just too much.

 

[PORTnPOLISH]

Your a lucky man. I love wisconsin, im from northernish IL so I make a trip a year up there.

 

[97fordrunner]

Where are you moving to in WI? And how did you make that choice No I love living in WI and make the trip up to northern WI a lot and there a miles upon miles of logging and forest roads to travel on, make sure you have a good GPS cause you can get turned around in a quick hurry and forget how to get back out. Love the truck BTW

 

[7.5L_STX]

why not just take out the 2" lift blocks? then youd be level after taking out the 2" coil spacers.

that seems like the most logical solution. or am i missing something?

nice lookin ranger by the way.

 

[86 slo-vo]

why not just take out the 2" lift blocks? then youd be level after taking out the 2" coil spacers.

that seems like the most logical solution. or am i missing something?

agreed, sounds like to me you just need to ditch the blocks witch is a good idea anyways, if you need a little more out go to a little shorter shackle.

 

[7.5L_STX]

In front I have a 6" suspension lift and 2" coil spacers, and in the rear I have skyjacker leaf springs, belltech shackles and what look like 2" lift blocks. I also have a 3" body lift. So the front is obvious. Remove the coil spacers and I'm good to go for the 33s. But in the rear, what would be the way to go? I have a parts truck with stock springs and shackles. So I could remove the blocks, put the stock springs back on, put the stock shackles back on...what's the way to go?

that doesnt make sense. if you took out the coil spacers you would still be at 6" of lift which is what you want. but then if you did all that to the rear you would be at stock height in the back which would be dumb and not what you want. just do what i said before and what most everybody alse will agree on.

ditch the coil spacers and blocks. go with a shorter shackle if you have to.

 

[wakingtowinter]

Where are you moving to in WI? And how did you make that choice No I love living in WI and make the trip up to northern WI a lot and there a miles upon miles of logging and forest roads to travel on, make sure you have a good GPS cause you can get turned around in a quick hurry and forget how to get back out. Love the truck BTW

I'm moving to Three Lakes. Got a job as an editor there. Pretty cool because I'm from Michigan and have been wanting to get back over that way. GPS is a good idea... I will have to start looking into that.

that doesnt make sense. if you took out the coil spacers you would still be at 6" of lift which is what you want. but then if you did all that to the rear you would be at stock height in the back which would be dumb and not what you want. just do what i said before and what most everybody alse will agree on.

ditch the coil spacers and blocks. go with a shorter shackle if you have to.

Sorry, that wasn't clear. I meant remove the blocks OR put the stock springs back on OR put the stock shackles back on, or a combination. Yeah, I will take the blocks out and see how it does. That was actually a really obvious solution I guess... And it's the easiest of all to do.