Lifting a 94 4x4 ext cab

[fishon1213]

Hello, all. So I picked up this ranger for cheap. Its a '94 Ext cab, 4x4, 4.0.



I am working on suspension right now, replacing the leaf spring hangers and brackets. I think I am going to go with the belltech 6400 shackles to give me a bit of lift in the back. All is going well so far, getting most of my parts in the mail today from rockauto.com.
I will be replacing the rear shocks, just not sure what I am going with yet. Any tips on how to measure for what exactly I need?

 

[fishon1213]

My progress so far. All the old shackles and brackets taken off, I am ready to clean up the frame and start assembling once I get all my parts in the mail.

 

[Stangman92]

Good progress, Bonus on the front manual hubs.

 

[fishon1213]

I am looking at lifting the front a bit. This truck will not really be doing any wheeling, but mostly used as a plow truck and wood hauler. So with the front lift stiffer would be better, ergo I am really looking into using F150 coils. It will see some miles on the pavement though so alignment is a concern. I have always had solid axle yota's, so this ttb thing is confusing.

Does anyone have a link to the camber bushings that would make alignment possible? Can I check to see how much adjustment I already have available?

Lots of different F150 coils out there, 2wd or 4wd, I am assuming Reg cab with a smaller motor would be a softer spring too, but still heavier and taller that my ranger springs. Probably a good fit for a snowplow.

 

[fishon1213]

And I guess I should give everyone the complete story on the truck to see if there is anything I am missing....

1994 Ranger, 4x4, ext cab, 4.0, auto. 112,000 miles. I picked it up for $1000 bucks. It runs very well but was sitting in a garage for the past two years.

I plan on doing oil/filter, pcv valve, fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wires, rad flush and cap, valve cover gaskets. Other than that...I have a brake line leaking between the frame and gas tank, looks like a PITA. Power steering leak somewhere. Ive gotta check the brakes out. Do these trucks have a timing chain or belt, whats the recommended maintenance on that? That's what ive came across so far. You'all probably know these trucks better than me, any other things I should check out.

 

[4x4junkie]

These links might help:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Alignment.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2008/steering_tech.htm


4.0L has a timing chain.

 

[fishon1213]

Well I made a bit more progress....


I got the belltech 6400 shackles installed and the rest of the rear suspension together. I just put the stock shocks back on for now and they seem to be doing fine. I will be getting new ones eventually. I finished the valve cover gasket replacement and tune up, which really helped. The truck runs great.

The issue that I am having now is that the truck does pull to the right pretty bad. I am not sure if it is due to the front or rear though. The leaf springs do appear to be angled to the right a bit towards the back of the truck. Should I have tightened the bolts with the truck jacked up or resting on the ground? Any tips on how to measure the back axle to make sure it is true?

Also tire pressure is equal, and the spare tire in the pic was taken off and I put the matching tire back on, so all tires are the same size, type, and pressure. I have only driven it about 100 miles so far and no irregular tire wear. Still pulls to the right. If the steering wheel is at 11 o'clock it drives straight, let up and its pulls to the right. I plan on lifting the front, so I don't want to pay for an alignment now just to have to do it again once I lift the front. Any ideas?

 

[4x4junkie]

Do all of the tires have the same amount (and type or evenness) of tread wear? (the front two in particular being the same)
Does any suspension parts look bent at all (or badly rusted)?
Are both rear tires centered in their wheel wells?
Does the wheelbase measure the same on both sides? (to within ½ inch)
Are all the suspension bushings good? (front pivots & rad arms/rear leaf springs)
Does the camber angle look like it matches on both sides up front?

If everything else checks out, then it's probably just the front alignment needs to be adjusted (specifically, it needs more caster angle on the right side and/or less caster on the left side to correct a pull to the right).
How to adjust it is outlined in the 2nd of the two links I provided above if you want to DIY.

Also, tightening the rear suspension bolts after the springs are loaded is preferred.

 

[fishon1213]

Well 500 mile update....

I haven't really done much to the truck lately, other than drive it. The truck is running really well. I have pretty much ruled out the rear for the reason it is pulling to the right. I firmly believe it is in the front.

So for the next step I plan on taking a closer look at the front end to identify any problems, and find some f150 coils to install. I went to the alignment shop yesterday and explained what I was doing and the tech seemed pretty knowledgeable on the ttb stuff.

So what I need to know is what I should look for in f150 coils.

Which years have the ttb? I assume that is what I need.
What about full size broncos with the ttb?

I think with the correct f150 coils, some adjustable camber bushings, and a drop pitman arm I should be set. Anything I am missing for the lift?

 

[4x4junkie]

'80-'96 for TTB F-150s/Broncos.
F-150 coils don't fit real well in the coil buckets though (plus with all the different body/engine combos makes lifting it with F-150 coils hit or miss). I would suggest getting a pair of Skyjacker #132X leveling coils for it instead, this way the coils fit properly and you'll get a for-sure 1.5-2" boost out of it.

A drop pitman arm shouldn't be required unless you're also changing out the axle drop brackets for lifted ones.