How to lower the rear?

[dhdaniel]

I would like to lower the rear on my 2019 XLT Ranger. Maybe 2 or 3 inches. Where it would sit more level.
Not interested in raising the front to level. Nor changing tire sizes. I dont tow trailers, I dont haul much of anything,
What are my options?

Thanks
Dave

 

[cbxer55]

Longer shackles. I dropped the rear of my Lightning 1.5 inches with two inch shackles. Going to purchase some four inch shackles from JLP soon, it needs to go down another two since I am running lower profile tires. I want to lower the rear of my Ranger two inches as well. It's too high when compared to the front.

 

[Derek costello]

Longer shackles. I dropped the rear of my Lightning 1.5 inches with two inch shackles. Going to purchase some four inch shackles from JLP soon, it needs to go down another two since I am running lower profile tires. I want to lower the rear of my Ranger two inches as well. It's too high when compared to the front.

A 150 lightning has the rear axle on top of the leaf spring so lowering blocks installed between the leaf and axle would bring the truck height down,
( the thickness of the aluminum lowering blocks). But the new Rangers have the rear leaf spring on top of the axle so the only way to lower the truck is to use SHORTER rear shackles at the far rear of the spring ! You are limited to about 2" as there is only a limited space between the frame and the spring hangers (shackles). The best way to get a nice 2 1/2" to 3" lower stance is to have your spring shop remove the main leaf and De-arch (flatten) the
leaf to give you a level ride height.
Another way is to wait till the ride height people come out with an axle flip kit for these new Rangers !

 

[cbxer55]

That's incorrect. The axle on the Gen. II Lightning's is below the springs. I have two inch shackles on it now, I put them there. The axle was never above the springs, just like my Ranger.

I don't know about the Gen. I Lightnings. Maybe the axle is above the springs on that, but I somehow doubt it.

 

[Derek costello]

That's incorrect. The axle on the Gen. II Lightning's is below the springs. I have two inch shackles on it now, I put them there. The axle was never above the springs, just like my Ranger.

I don't know about the Gen. I Lightnings. Maybe the axle is above the springs on that, but I somehow doubt it.

Hi, The spring rear leaf is indeed on top of the axle so a longer shackle will only make the truck higher !! 2021 RANGER
Derek

 

[cbxer55]

You know not what you are talking about Skippy. I own the damn thing. I put the shackles on it. The spring is on top of the shackles. Which is why longer shackles lower it. See pictures below. The one with the red cover is mine. The others belong to other guys.

If you are talking about your 2021 Ranger, I have no clue. But obviously, if that is the case, you are correct that blocks are the way to go. Whether shackles would make it higher or lower depends on where the spring is mounted. If the spring is mounted on top of the shackles, longer shackles will lower it. Longer shackles will push the spring up higher, toward the bed, lowering the rear. If the spring is on the bottom of the shackles, then yeah, it will lift it up, like so many used to do back int he bad old days of the 60's and 70's.

 

[Derek costello]

You know not what you are talking about Skippy. I own the damn thing. I put the shackles on it. The spring is on top of the shackles. Which is why longer shackles lower it. See pictures below. The one with the red cover is mine. The others belong to other guys.

If you are talking about your 2021 Ranger, I have no clue. But obviously, if that is the case, you are correct that blocks are the way to go. Whether shackles would make it higher or lower depends on where the spring is mounted. If the spring is mounted on top of the shackles, longer shackles will lower it. Longer shackles will push the spring up higher, toward the bed, lowering the rear. If the spring is on the bottom of the shackles, then yeah, it will lift it up, like so many used to do back int he bad old days of the 60's and 70's.

Hi, Skippy here,.... I see we are both right, if the spring hanger is fastened to the side of the frame longer shackles would lower the truck regardless of the axle mounting position ! But if the axle is mounted on the bottom of the spring ...and..... the spring is mounted directly under the frame with the top bolt of the shackle going through the frame the only way to lower is a SHORTER shackle! That is limited by the lengthening of the spring as it flexes.
So flipping the axle mount or flattening the spring is the only way to lower a 2021 Ranger truck (I have one). Derek

 

[55trucker]

The best way to get a nice 2 1/2" to 3" lower stance is to have your spring shop remove the main leaf and De-arch (flatten) the
leaf to give you a level ride height.

If one re-arcs the leaves ALL of them have to be re-arced. All of them have to be arced to the same arch so that the weight is evenly distributed along the length of each leaf as a group. If one just does the main leaf then when the group are re bolted back together the main leaf will constantly try to separate itself in front of & behind the retaining bolt from the rest below it.

 

[Derek costello]

If one re-arcs the leaves ALL of them have to be re-arced. All of them have to be arced to the same arch so that the weight is evenly distributed along the length of each leaf as a group. If one just does the main leaf then when the group are re bolted back together the main leaf will constantly try to separate itself in front of & behind the retaining bolt from the rest below it.

It is nice to give all points of view but if we remember the discussion refers ONLY to a 2021 ford ranger this truck has only ONE rear leaf, the other
leaf is a separated helper, which comes into play when the truck is loaded to it's max.

 

[55trucker]

The only photos I've seen of the undercarriage of the 2017-2020 Rangers display a multi leaf suspension such as the Tremor.

 

[adsm08]

It is nice to give all points of view but if we remember the discussion refers ONLY to a 2021 ford ranger this truck has only ONE rear leaf, the other
leaf is a separated helper, which comes into play when the truck is loaded to it's max.

OP says it's a 19.

 

[Uncle Gump]

OK lets all take a deep breath...

None of the bickering is solving anybody's question.

 

[cbxer55]

Bickering? You mean like a bunch of squabbling women? Where? Not on TRS?

 

[HenryMac]

Here is a photo of a 2019 Ranger rear suspension.

• Longer shackles will raise the back of the truck.

A reputable spring shop could re-arch the mono-leaf and that would lower the truck. However that will put the mono-leaf very close to the helper spring. You'll likely lose hauling capacity, towing capacity and ride quality.

Happy Trails!

 

[Uncle Gump]

@HenryMac

Any chance you have the shackle picture?