Input from experienced members

[macd7919]

Hi guys,

So I'll try to make this as concise as possible. I've done some research as to what kits are what, plate vs. replacement brackets etc.... Basically I'm sneaking this post in at work as I was hoping to get some suggestions/constructive opinions from some people who may have more experience with the Ranger than I do.

So here it goes, I've got a 97 4.0L Ext. Cab 4wd in pretty good shape inside and out, not a beater. At the moment this is my daily driver and I'd like to keep it looking halfway decent so I won't be out doing any hardcore off roading where I'd be taking body damage etc...

Basically I'd be fine with being able to go on mountain trails/mud/snow/ruts etc... basically moderate to mildly advanced stuff but not major rock crawling, squeezing through spaces where both sides of the truck are scraping etc... I know there is a place for all that but I have a dirtbike when I want to go hammer on stuff

I'd also like the truck to have a semi aggressive look and run a reasonably aggressive 15" wheel with 33" or 35" tire (if 35" wouldn't have a problem adding a body lift if needed), re-gearing could be a possibility but I'll decide that once I drive it and see how it feels.

Long story short, if hardcore crawling and expert stuff was a 10 on the scale, I'd like to be able to do a 6 or 7. The truck will see 90% street driving so I just want something I can have fun with and be able to hang with mildly modded other 4wd's on the trails.

This is where I need help, since this is my first time around purchasing a lift kit I've been considering these options.

1. Skyjacker 6" Standard kit (from what I've read I need the 6" springs to get a 4.5" lift on my 4.0 Ext Cab) with blocks or replacement leafs (comments on which if this is the way you recommend going)

2. Tuff Country 4" Extended Radius Arm Full Kit and swap the 4" springs out for 6" Skyjacker Springs (again, blocks or leaf in rear)

3. Skyjacker 6" Extended Radius Arm kit with blocks (Don't want to spend that much for a kit with leaves)

4. Tuff Country 4" Standard kit (non extended radius arm) with 6" Skyjacker Springs (blocks or leafs)

Note: If I did one of the "standard" kits I would be able to do F250 shock mounts if that would help to get me to a "middle ground" area between just a standard kit and an extended radius arm kit, not sure if the shocks are the limiting factor on the standard kit however...


I've been doing lots of reading and will keep on going with it but would like some input from experienced members as well as if I'm just going completely overboard with doing an extended radius arm kit for what I want then I could use the money for other things. Thanks guys!

 

[brinker88]

I'd get the skyjacker kit with blocks and radius arms and make a bastard pack rear spring pack which is basically adding OEM leaves from another spring pack. I would also add Belltech 6400 shackles. I would also look into making some taller shock mounts (F250 shock towers) to maximize from suspension flex.

Here's my springs that are going into the truck soon. I have 3 leaves from an explorer (more arch gaining more lift) and 3 leaves from the ranger plus an Add A leaf. Coupled with my Belltechs, I should get around 4-5 inches of lift...

 

[macd7919]

I'd get the skyjacker kit with blocks and radius arms and make a bastard pack rear spring pack which is basically adding OEM leaves from another spring pack. I would also add Belltech 6400 shackles. I would also look into making some taller shock mounts (F250 shock towers) to maximize from suspension flex.

Here's my springs that are going into the truck soon. I have 3 leaves from an explorer (more arch gaining more lift) and 3 leaves from the ranger plus an Add A leaf. Coupled with my Belltechs, I should get around 4-5 inches of lift...

That's all do-able for me, I figured at that rate I'd be in the neighborhood of $1700 or so when it's said and done with shocks, I'd like to try to keep it a bit lower than that if I could. What would the performance difference between that, or something similar to, what you listed above to just taking a standard 6" SJ kit (without radius arms), doing F250 mounts and belltech shackles with blocks/stock leaf springs? Would probably save me around $500, would there be a huge performance loss going that route? How about going with the Tuff Country 4" Lift Kit with radius arms? That would bring me in around $1200 as well (including replacing the TC 4" springs with SJ 6" springs). Any thoughts?

 

[RangerBoy94]

Dont waste your time with skyjacker or rough country. James duff is the only way to go. Although the stage 2 skyjacker is alright I still recommend James Duff products.
http://www.jamesduff.com/

 

[macd7919]

Dont waste your time with skyjacker or rough country. James duff is the only way to go. Although the stage 2 skyjacker is alright I still recommend James Duff products.
http://www.jamesduff.com/

That would be nice but I already spoke with them and for my application, 4.0L Ext. Cab I can only get a 2.5" lift using their drop brackets. The gentleman I spoke with said they are drilled for a 4" but even if I got longer springs I would never be able to get the alignment within specs using their arms/brackets. The only option they had was the Stage 3 for $1895 plus another $300 shipped to Seattle. As I mentioned in the original post this won't be used for hardcore wheeling and I'm not one to beat on my things so I think the JD stuff, while nice, might be a lot of overkill for me and I would get just as much enjoyment from a less expensive kit. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[racer1044]

I personally like the skyjacker lift. I bought one used and haven't had any issues out of it. Im still running stock radius arms but plan to build a set of long arm which many other user's have done with good results. For me I can't see the money for the james duff lift and only getting 3 inches. For a daily driven truck and the money ill keep my skyjacker. As far as tough country goes there are a few users running there 4 inch kit on here and seem to like it for the money.

 

[4x4junkie]

There's no point adding the F-250 shock mounts if you don't have extended radius arms on it (the shocks are not a limiting factor before those stubby stock arms).

I'd probably do as Brinker mentioned if you want good flex & ride but are trying to pinch pennies, get an extended-arm kit without the $$$ rear lift stuff and make something up for your rear lift. I've heard a 2WD F-150 main leaf (eyes cut off) threaded in right under your existing main leaf works as a good add-a-leaf that doesn't stiffen the pack much, plus the BellTech 6400 shackles should net you a total around 3.5" I would think.

I also disagree you'd be "wasting your time" with any Skyjacker lift. Skyjacker is very good quality stuff.

That would be nice but I already spoke with them and for my application, 4.0L Ext. Cab I can only get a 2.5" lift using their drop brackets. The gentleman I spoke with said they are drilled for a 4" but even if I got longer springs I would never be able to get the alignment within specs using their arms/brackets.

That doesn't make any sense. What cab/engine config your truck is (assuming that was the criteria) should have no bearing whatsoever on the suspension, only the required rating for the coil springs. If their brackets are drilled for 4" (also news to me, I thought they were 3") there is nothing to prevent you from aligning it properly at 4" of lift (even drilled at 3", you can still align it at 4" lift similar to how you'd do on a coilspacer lift).
That is surprising to hear. JD is a small company where I would've thought everyone would be on the same page with each other

 

[macd7919]

That doesn't make any sense. What cab/engine config your truck is (assuming that was the criteria) should have no bearing whatsoever on the suspension, only the required rating for the coil springs. If their brackets are drilled for 4" (also news to me, I thought they were 3") there is nothing to prevent you from aligning it properly at 4" of lift (even drilled at 3", you can still align it at 4" lift similar to how you'd do on a coilspacer lift).
That is surprising to hear. JD is a small company where I would've thought everyone would be on the same page with each other

It was near the end of the work day before they closed but I told him 4.0L Extended Cab 4x4 and that I wanted to get 4" of actual lift and asked if they had anything as the website specifically says the stage 1 and 2 are only 2.5" on the supercab. He said that's all they had and I asked if I could add my own springs and use their brackets and he said "Well, you could do that, the brackets are actually drilled for 4" of lift but you would never be able to get it aligned correctly". Maybe he meant they wouldn't be able to be aligned correctly with the stock/whatever Duff comes with adjustment bolts? I should have asked at the time but didn't think to.

I could spend the money for a Duff Stage 3 but I was just thinking that in my situation (limited chances to go off road) that maybe I wouldn't need something that extreme. I guess I'm looking for the best bang for the buck for my use, I don't want the least expensive thing but I don't need the most expensive either, I'd like to keep my budget around $1200 for the lift and shocks and at least get a true 4" of lift. Extended arms would be nice but it seems like I'd be pushing that $1200 mark even if I did the skyjacker 6"standard kit and added Tuff Country arms (found them for around $500 shipped). Sorry if I'm making this confusing, I do appreciate all the input though, I'd like to get something ordered by the end of the week.

Also, I looked at the Stonecrusher extensions, the price was right (about $200 shipped with mounting brackets) but it mentioned the only extended the arm 10" instead of the 15" like SJ, TC etc.... Since the arms are shorter I'm assuming you can't use the rearward mounting locations like the arms from SJ/TC either and would need to align the brackets carefully and drill holes for mounting. The also appear to be just a straight beam unlike the TC arms which have a bend to them for tire clearance. Would this be an issue? I'd like to get something that looks like the picture below (I realize this is a newer ranger but the size/look/fitment is what I'm aiming for on my 97) but also has enough functionality off road to not be "just for looks". Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[RangerBoy94]

Do not get tough county arms!!!!!!!

 

[armadillon]

Dont waste your time with skyjacker or rough country. James duff is the only way to go. Although the stage 2 skyjacker is alright I still recommend James Duff products.
http://www.jamesduff.com/

Do not get tough county arms!!!!!!!

Er...are we supposed to buy James Duff everything? At least explain why not to go with these brands.

 

[brinker88]

Tough Country arms leave a LOT to be desired. Small diameter tubing and an all around weakly built arm. You also LOSE shock length with their mounting method. and the small size of the end bushing means you will be replacing it SOONER than LATER.

 

[4x4junkie]

^^
That's an F-150 kit, not RBV.

TC's RBV kit isn't designed a whole lot different, but I do recall it retains a side-mounted shock on the radius arm.

It was near the end of the work day before they closed but I told him 4.0L Extended Cab 4x4 and that I wanted to get 4" of actual lift and asked if they had anything as the website specifically says the stage 1 and 2 are only 2.5" on the supercab. He said that's all they had and I asked if I could add my own springs and use their brackets and he said "Well, you could do that, the brackets are actually drilled for 4" of lift but you would never be able to get it aligned correctly". Maybe he meant they wouldn't be able to be aligned correctly with the stock/whatever Duff comes with adjustment bolts? I should have asked at the time but didn't think to.

Maybe just an oversimplified answer then I guess, though it still wasn't very accurate, you're supposed to change (or at least adjust) the camber alignment bushings any time there's been a significant change in the suspension anyway (which putting a lift on it most certainly qualifies). Maybe they were trying to discourage you from experimenting with it (which they seem to do sometimes when it comes to RBVs for some reason ).

I agree the JD Stage 3 kit is probably more than you need (the difference between Stage 2 & 3 is the 3 has replacement rear leaf springs, which you said you were wanting to avoid due to cost anyway).
I don't care for those Stonecrusher extension things though, they look like a disaster waiting to happen unless you weld on some kind of lengthy reinforcement to fully make them one with the arm itself (the extension would otherwise just bend & break off right where it's attached).

If you already have a good setup for welding, I'd say make your extended arms out of your stock arms (or a set of junkyard arms) using lengths of 2" round or square thick-walled steel tubing welded right into the body of the arm itself. There's several on here who have done it (myself included), Some searching should bring up some past discussions about home-brewed radius arms.

 

[macd7919]

Maybe just an oversimplified answer then I guess, though it still wasn't very accurate, you're supposed to change (or at least adjust) the camber alignment bushings any time there's been a significant change in the suspension anyway (which putting a lift on it most certainly qualifies). Maybe they were trying to discourage you from experimenting with it (which they seem to do sometimes when it comes to RBVs for some reason ).

I actually called them back today as a James Duff kit just happen to come up on my local Craigslist (Stage 1) and wanted to see if anything could be retained to go to the full kit (5.5"). Well, answer was no, they said the newer brackets they are making are now dual drilled for 2" and 4" but if it was an older bracket (which it was) then they are drilled for 3" only.

I asked them again (in a different way) about getting it up to 4" of lift (with my extended cab) and they said that it may be possible but it would require a funky combination of bushings to get it aligned if you could even get it aligned. So..... I'm not enough of an expert with the Ranger to know any differently and am just repeating what they told me as best I can remember. Biggest job I've done to a TTB was converting my B2 from 2wd to 4wd and an M5OD swap which I wouldn't consider to be a difficult project.

They did mention that if I had the new style brackets that a little bit of it could be retained and work with their 5.5" kit but the older brackets are just not the right setup to use with anything but their 3" stuff, including taller coils. Honestly I'm sure there is a way to do it with a bit of experience, I just don't want to jump into something that will turn into a goose chase as the truck's my DD at the moment. If it wasn't I'd be more willing to experiment but right now I need to keep things somewhat straight forward. I wish I did have a decent setup for welding but I don't at the moment, trying to clear out the garage of my other car that's being parted out.

How much difference in street driving and off road ability would I see between these two setups:

Skyjacker 6" kit (non-extended arm with or w Skyjacker rear leaves)

Tuff Country 4" extended radius arm kit with 6" Skyjacker coils swapped for the 4" Tuff Country coils and most likely a set of Belltech shackles and then whatever I need to even it out in the rear from there (add a leaf to the pack or small block etc...)

These two kits are more or less the same cost and I've kind of narrowed it down to those for options unless something pops up used or for an exceptional deal in the very near future. You guys have any opinions between those two kits?

 

[4.0B2]

Personally I'd piece together my own lift and not buy a full box kit.
I've stated this many times but with good brackets, XJ coils, superrunner steering, homemade extended radius arms, so on... You can piece together the best of everything. If you ask everyone on here; they will tell you one downfall of each kit usually... James duff is not enough lift. Tuff Country doesn't include coils anymore in some kits, rough country has drop plate and stiff coils, skyjacker is "junk". Usually no one will say a good reason not to get skyjacker.... They just say don't lol.

 

[macd7919]

Personally I'd piece together my own lift and not buy a full box kit.
I've stated this many times but with good brackets, XJ coils, superrunner steering, homemade extended radius arms, so on... You can piece together the best of everything. If you ask everyone on here; they will tell you one downfall of each kit usually... James duff is not enough lift. Tuff Country doesn't include coils anymore in some kits, rough country has drop plate and stiff coils, skyjacker is "junk". Usually no one will say a good reason not to get skyjacker.... They just say don't lol.

I'd like to do that but this is my DD and I don't have access to a welder so the piecing together would only work as far as bolt on items or stuff that's pre-fabbed. From what I've seen looking about buying the items separately and then "making" a kit doesn't seem to save me much when I compare waiting to find things, going to the store for nuts and bolts, hoping everything is as described and the time it takes to source all the items separately compared to just buying everything from one or two places and having it all there at once. I totally agree that piecing it together can be the best way to go (That's what I've done with all my Supra's turbo kits etc..) but in those cases I had time to deal with it if I got halfway through and something didn't fit etc... as it wasn't my DD. That's partly why I've started to narrow it down to the two options in my previous post.