Lifting a two wheel river 2000 Ranger

[LonesomeSTX]

We are in a bad financial spot right now. The problem is our 2000 Ranger needs tires badly. But, we do not have the money to get any. So a friend of mine gave me a set of like new 31 inch Goodyears. They are very nice tires. The 225s under the truck now measure 28 inches tall and fit perfect. The Goodyears measure 30 inches tall. They will scrub and make contact on big bumps. So even though I do not want to do it the only way I can put good tires on this truck is to lift it. Here are my options:

I have a body lift on a shelf that came out of one f my first gen Rangers. I like that option because I can uninstall it when we get back on our feet. Are there issues I should know about before I get started? I have never installed a body lift on a later model ranger like this one.

My other option is some kind of cheap suspension kit like spacers. But, I do not want anything that will damage or permanently change anything under this truck. Plus it has to be super cheap. I have seen some of the super cheap options and there is no way I would use any of them. Unless there is something I have not seen or heard about.

I prefer to stick with first gen Rangers, so I need a heads up on anything I should know about this one. I really do not want to lift it at all, but that is what I have to work with right now.

 

[straycat]

Do you have coil springs? You can get a cheap spacer kit for them to lift it. Amazon, or Ebay. No more then 2 inches as you may have to align the front. Is the truck rubbing in the back? No need to worry about that if it is not then and that will save a few bucks. Some people weld washerss together to get a bit of lift with their coil sprung front ends. I don't like the washer lift. But if it gets you by until you can buy a better aluminum spacer or a bit taller coil spring to raise the front than go for it.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Yes, it has coils. WHat is this washer lift you speak of? Is it safe, or permanent?

 

[straycat]

Do a search with the search function. More info there. Some people weld a bunch of washers together to lift the coils a bit. I would not do it and don't have any friends who would do it either. I can get a spacer on Ebay or Amazon before I would do a washer spacer. You can try a 4wheel shop near you and ask about what they recommend.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

It sound like the sort of thing I do not do.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Body lift should work, you have the bolts for it as well correct? If not that'll pose an issue since the existing ones won't reach. This is your best option and truthfully the safest assuming the body lift is in good shape.

You might have some issues with wires being rather taught, but body lifts are installed all the time, not sure how much of an issue this would be.

When you do get back on your feet, I suggest a manual tire changer. I picked one up at TSC for $50 and paid for itself the first day and many times over since. I get most of my tires from a junkyard if I'm in a pinch, roughly $20 a pop at your original size. I've balanced them with 9oz of 20g airsoft BB's and even my GMC with 33's runs smooth with them (junkyard tires too).

 

[Surrey]

Do a search with the search function. More info there. Some people weld a bunch of washers together to lift the coils a bit. I would not do it and don't have any friends who would do it either. I can get a spacer on Ebay or Amazon before I would do a washer spacer. You can try a 4wheel shop near you and ask about what they recommend.

I would say about half the people around here swear by washer coil spacers, and the other half say they wouldn't EVER do it, because they can just buy a kit for like $80....

The problem with the kits you can buy is they use a polyurethane bushing to raise your coil, which under repeated abuse tend to fall apart after a year or two. A few stacked steel washers will not show anywhere near the wear-and-tear(by which I mean practically none) that a poly bushing would after some abuse.

That said, if your just looking for a bit of lift on a 2wd thats not going to be abused, the bought spacers will probably last a long time.

One advantage to the welded washers is you can pick how high you lift it (ie use only two washers, or use 4 or 5)

edit - I see your user profile lists it as a 4x4 truck. My recommendation would be a coil spacer (washers or bought, whichever you prefer) and some ford explorer leafs for the back - they should give 1-2" of lift, while also stiffening up the back end (I find the stock leafs in my b2 are really sloppy)

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I have ran a lot of body lifts over the years. I have just never had one on a Ranger this new. I use to run junk yard tires all the time. But after a few too many blow outs and resulting body damage, I try to keep good tires on my trucks now. Tell me more about balancing with BBs. That sounds interesting and cheap.

I will have to find some photographs fo the washer method. From the sounds of it, I would not do it. But it is unfair to say for sure unit I see it. I was just looking at the rubber spacers. For six bucks aa piece it is very tempting. I already have an add-a-leaf kit that should work in the rear. Oh, that 4x4 is a long term project I have not toughed in quite a while. I really need to update that.