How High?

[frankserrano]

hey, folks. just a quick question for everyone. how much suspension lift can i do before i have to get a new pitman arm, drop brackets, etc.?

one more thing, if i were to swap in front coil springs for a 1991-1994, four-door, 4x4 explorer, how much lift could i expect to gain from it? i drive a '97 2.3 4x2.

thanks in advance

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I believe you can go about 2" max with out drop arms and stuff...

 

[Sunk]

I don't think you'd get much lift if any. The 4x4 beams are a different size/shape than the 4x2 beams so the 4x2 coils actually lift a 4x4. Since the Explorer is heavier up front, you might be level.

 

[frankserrano]

I believe you can go about 2" max with out drop arms and stuff...

so, if i were to order the skyjacker 2" lift springs, i'd be good to go without having to do a shit ton of extra work, then right?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well you will still need to get it realigned but yeah i believe most people do a 1.5" - 2" lift that levels out the truck without the need for any of the other stuff.

 

[Slim]

so, if i were to order the skyjacker 2" lift springs, i'd be good to go without having to do a shit ton of extra work, then right?

Yup. Probably be easier to just get the double adjustable camber eccentrics (attaches at the upper ball joint) so you know it would only need to go 'on the rack' once.

A 1" or 2" block in the back, installed between the axle and leaf springs, would help to retain the original Ranger rake, if you so wish.

 

[frankserrano]

well, what my plan is is to get the skyjacker leveling coils in the front, flip the shackle in the back for travel and then 2" suspension blocks in the back to bring it back up.

 

[Slim]

well, what my plan is is to get the skyjacker leveling coils in the front, flip the shackle in the back for travel and then 2" suspension blocks in the back to bring it back up.

Front - yup, sounds good.

Rear - flip the shackle for travel? I'm afraid to tell you it doesn't work like that, at least not on Rangers. You won't get any more or less travel doing ANYTHING with the stock shackles.



My suggest, based on a little bit of experience with my Ranger and setting up Mustang suspensions, is to get the coils in up front, along with the appropriate eccentrics, and drive it for a couple of days (yes, with the rear of the truck at it's stock height). It'll look dumb, but the idea is to get the coils and front suspension settled.

Once you've done that measure up how much you have to lift the back end up and figure out what you need to do to get that lift. It doesn't matter if you want it level or jacked up in the back - you decide and measure to make that happen. THEN get what you need. So if you want a 2" lift with stock suspension feel then get 2" lift blocks. Or if you want 2" lift but with stiffer springs then get an Add-A-Leaf kit (also called AALs).

The idea is to get the front settled first, because once it's done and have driven around a few days (i'd say a week if you can stand it) it might drop anywhere from 1/4" to 1".

 

[canyoncritter]

If he puts the levling springs ie 2 inch lift in the front, and dose not touch the back, the truck will sit level. or very close to it.not dragging ass, or sitting stink bug.As long as his rear springs are not shot and sagging.


you will need to get a alignment also.camber,caster and toe. so you will need new ecentric bushings. I would suggest the adjustable ones. and installing them yourself, and eyeballing the alignment. that way the shop dosent hit you for labor of installing and mark up of the ecentric bushing's
this way you could even drive around for a few days and let the springs settle be4 taking in for a alignment