How low can I go, and how?

[Bird76Mojo]

I wanna lower this thing. I will NOT c-notch. What are my options without the rear axle hitting the frame all the time??

It already seems to need new rear leaf springs, as these sag very easily with minimal weight in the bed. I'm very familiar with first/second gen front suspension and alignments..

 

[RonD]

Explorer axles have disc brakes and the spring perches are under the axle, should be about a 4" drop

Flipping rear hangers works as well

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I have read a tiny bit about flipping the rear leaf shackle mounts. I've replaced rear hangers several times before, so this option would work well for me. Any negative effects or other things that affects?

How to get the front to match though? Thinking of RicksRangerz coilover mounts.. I'm also unsure how much adjustment the Moog adjustable alignment bushings will get me. I believe it's around 4 degrees. I have a set in my 87 V8 Ranger now. Not sure if it would be enough to get it aligned correctly when pushing the beams that high..

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Wondering if these are a good option since my current leafs seem so worn out.

Street Edge 1989-1997 Ford Ranger 2WD 4" Lowering Leaf Spring Set | SE704016 | Performance/Custom | Right | Sealed | 5 Year Warranty | Leaf Spring Lowering Kit

1989 to 1997 Ford Ranger 2WD.

www.ebay.com

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Just spit balling;
For the front maybe some axle pivots meant for a lift, but don't use the springs. Maybe even cut a coil or 2. Just like a teeter-totter, the wheel should go up into the wheel well. May have to do a cut and turn but mirror image.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I'd hate to start having to cut factory beams. I'm not sure if the Dream Beams would lower the front too much, so that I had to lower the rear too much just to match it..

I got a line on some brand new Dream Beams for the 2nd gens, and I've already done the 95-97 beam swap on my other truck so I know that process. Might have to go that route..

 

[Ranger850]

That's gonna be a sharp looking Ranger when you get it dropped. A good friend in HS had a GT that looked a lot like that one. I was always a fan of the White Rangers with Red or Blue interior.

 

[stmitch]

4-5" drop is the max in the rear without a notch.
You'll probably want to find lower profile bump stops too.

 

[19Walt93]

I didn't realise my truck was lowered when I bought it becuase it was in a car trailer. It had dropped beams and I kept them after replacing the bushings. I bought some 65-6 Mustang spring pads and welded them onto my spare Mustang II 8 inch housing so I could bolt it to the top of the rear springs. Then I had to get some longer rear shackles to raise the rear about an inch to get it level. I would get some dropped I beams rather than cutting or bending yours, cutting the coils springs will lower it but the camber will be way negative and spring travel will be reduced. If it can't be aligned properly the front tires will die early and often.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Still waiting to hear back from the guy with the 2nd gen Dream Beams. *fingers crossed*

Any recommendations on specific bump stops, leaf springs, etc will be appreciated.

 

[19Walt93]

I bought the stiffest stock replacement front and rear springs for my 93 Ranger to make sure they'd hold up the 351. It rides like a 1 ton but it doesn't sag.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I bought the stiffest stock replacement front and rear springs for my 93 Ranger to make sure they'd hold up the 351. It rides like a 1 ton but it doesn't sag.

This truck is gonna stay a 2.8 for the foreseeable future. It just needs lowered to look acceptable being a longbed.

 

[19Walt93]

This truck is gonna stay a 2.8 for the foreseeable future. It just needs lowered to look acceptable being a longbed.

I'd still go with dropped beams rather than cutting the springs. Cutting coil springs effectively increases the spring rate along with reducung suspension travel. My truck is a longbed, too, and I didn't realise that either until we dragged it out of the trailer. I was looking for an 83-88 short box but this 93 longbed isn't rusty. In NH, not rusty trumps all other considerations.

 

[superj]

same here in south texas. living on the coast, everything is rusty

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Well, the guy on FB from Kentucky that had the new 2nd gen Dream Beams is a complete moron and is afraid to call or text my phone number because of scammers. JHC dude! It's not like I'm trying to send you a check to cash for me, or getting you to claim $1000000000 dollars because of a long lost relative.

So I guess he won't get my money and I'll have to buy new ones online at full retail.