I'm new and I have a lot of Questions PLEASE?!

[krrunyon1]

Hello all,

I'm new to the Ranger world, the Ford, and the forum world all together. I'm very carsist, but when I was shopping I stumbled upon my Ranger and for the miles, price, and estimated mpg the deal couldn't be beat.

I recently purchased a gas sipping blue 2007 Ranger.
-2.3L 4 cyl.
-2wd
-manual trans, locks, and windows. (keep it simple and bulletproof)
The truck is stock with the exception of the Century Truck Cap and the Craiger soft 8s.
(Both of which I would like to get rid of)

My plans are to get my stereo set up, install some black housing headlights with HIDs, tint the windows, get the bed liner redone, get a bed cover, and do a 2/2 drop. I would do a 2/3 drop, but I still plan on using the truck for bikes and kayaks a good bit.

FIRST QUESTION:
The soft 8s I have are 15x7s with 4.5 inches of back spacing measured to the outer lip.
Is this close to the factory steel wheels?

SECOND QUESTIONs:
I know this is discussed a lot, but I haven't found the answer to my question. I plan on doing DJM coils in the front. I haven't been able to decide what to do in the rear. Obviously flipping the hangers would be the cheaper rout to go vs. purchasing drop shackles.
Is the ride quality of one better?
Is one way more safe or sturdy than the other?
Is the drop the same or is one 2.25 and the other 1.75 both assumed to be 2ish?

LAST QUESTIONs:
There is one set of Ranger alloys I really want. If i can't find them when the time comes I have picked out another set of 16s. but they are 16x8s.
What tire size should I run on a 16 inch wheel?
(I was hoping to stay right at what the door jam says)
Where do these trucks rub first (would it rub with only 2' drop)?
Has anyone lowered on a 16x8 successfully (how much backspacing)?

THANKS,
Kyle

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS Kyle~!

Well, I couldn't begin to answer your questions...but...there are many on here who probably could...problem is...this is an introduction section and there is a good chance that the people who could answer the questions are usually tucked away in one of the other threads below...

So...some suggestions would be to post these questions in the appropriate thread(s) below or even start your own build thread with what you want to do and how to go about it...or try the search function above...it may take a few tries at it to find the answers you are looking for but it is worth the effort...

I do understand what you want to do and have read through many threads where these questions were answered...one way or another...but you do have some specific questions that only someone who has tried or used the products mentioned would be able to elaborate further on them...

I'm sure you will find the answers here...but not necessarily in this section of the website...

 

[krrunyon1]

Alrighty, I'll shop around. Thank you!