• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

How to upgrade a 2wd to 4wd style ride height?


cpy911

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2009
Messages
15
Transmission
Automatic
Hi all,

I have a '93 2wd 2.3L Ranger that I want to upgrade to the same ride height and look as a similar year 4X4 Ranger. I may also plan on doing something with the differential (some sort of locker?) at some point as well.

I will not be doing any serious off roading, maybe some gravel roads in the hills, but would like a little more height clearance. I have determined that the stock 4X4 Ranger tire is a 235/75/15. Is this a 15" Rim? Could I go to a junkyard and buy the rims off of a dead 4X4 of similar year?

Other than converting to the 4X4 tires and rims (assuming the bolt patterns match??!!?), what else will I need to do? I want to keep the 2wd factory ride that I have also, nothing stiffer. I assume I need a lift kit here, but how high is the lift that is needed? Any suggestions on a kit?

Thanks for your help.

cpy911
 
Well... for a lift you could always go for a body lift as they are cheap, easy to install, and don't alter the factory ride, A 3" should have you where you want to be I think. You will need a suspention lift if you want more frame height though.

As for rims and tires, a 15 rim is for a 235/75/15. hence the 15 at the end. You could go get rims off any ranger or jeep for the most part as they all share the same bolt patterns. As long as you get a 5 on 4.5" or 5 on 114.5 bolt pattern they will fit. But getting them off an old ranger or explorer is best.
 
the ride height is only a couple inches different from 2wd to 4wd i think. not quite sure though so maybe someone else knows otherwise. you could get new coils up front or just do spacers and then a blocks in back. that should get you to the 4wd height i think.
 
The rear suspension is EASY... as you only need the factory blocks,
longer U-bolts and longer shocks.

It's the front that's tricky...

There are two ways to go other than an expen$ive aftermarket lift.

The first is to play some suspension mounting bracket games and
use 2wd Bronco2 beams.
These beams mount the steering knuckle differently because the ball
joint ears are made lower to move the steering knuckle down and generate about 1.5" of lift.

The 2wd Explorer beams are similar in theory but slightly different in execution.
the primary difference is that the Explorer doesn't require a special bracket
for the passenger side beam's pivot.

no matter which way you go some fabrication will be required
and since te mounting points are all seriously stressed mounting points.

AD
 
Summary and thanks

So I would need to do the following:

1. Somehow (via a kit, or ???) "body" lift the truck a dimension of 3".
2. Buy/acquire Ranger 4X4 rims/tires 235/75/15 of same era that have the same bolt pattern. The rims will have to match the 5 on 4.5" pitch pattern that fit my stock 2wd hub.
3. I found this guy http://www.autofab.com/econo2wd.htm who has a kit. Not sure how much it is, but you can see the effect I want. I don't want a 4" lift...just want a 4WD stock height.

If I lift the truck 3", will I need new shocks and brake lines?

Also, would I need to change my speedomoter settings due to the larger tires so it reads correctly?

Thanks...

cpy911
 
what i am doing is coil springs that are 2 inches taller than stock, 2.5 inch lift blocks in the rear(new shocks all around), and 31 inch tires....which will add up to 3.5 inches+
 
Well no you can either do the 3" body lift or a 3" suspension lift. With a body lift just get the kit off ebay for like 50 bucks and it tells you how to install it. with a 3" suspension lift you have to have a buncha stuff and probably help installing it. A lift is more expensive but lifts the frame and all.

Heres the Tech library sites:
Body Lift How to body mounts

Suspension lift 2wd Lift kits

And any year ranger rim will fit your truck it doesn't have to be close to the same year.

Heres a list of cars you can take the rims off of and they will fit your truck.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/wheel_fitment.html
 
Stock 4X4 Rims/tire combo w/ 3" lift is correct?

So,

Can I just install a 15X7 rim with a 235/75/15 tire and a 3" body lift? Would the rim/tire combo be ok? I have read something about offsets on the rim, but should not be a problem with a 15x7 rim? Correct? Is this correct the stock 4X4 Rim (15x7 with a 235/75/15 tire)?

Also, would I need to change my gearing in the truck for driving normal highway/street driving since I am using a bigger tire?

Thanks,
cpy911
 
Last edited:
I'm doing the small thing with my 2wd, here's what I'm doing...

get factory 4x4 blocks, longer shocks, longer u bolts in the rear...that's a 2-3 inch lift...>$40 at a junk yard and hardware store + price of shocks

get f150 coil spacers, longer shocks in front...that's 2 inch lift...you will need an aligmnent and camber adjustment after...>$50 at junkyard + price of shocks
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187201

bigger tires...2-4 inch lift...your speedo will be off
 
Yeah but you can get a body lift off ebay for 50 bucks and not mess with anything suspension wise therfore mantaining factory ride, mostly little more top heavy.

And yes a 15x7 rim with 3.75" backspacing will work fine with 235s
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Back
Top