Need help finding the right off road suspension upgrade!!

[03rangerNM]

Hello everyone!! I have a 2003 XLT 4x4 that I’m looking to upgrade for my backcountry hunting trips. Currently everything stock. I think I’d like to add a 3” in body lift or a super lift 4” suspension lift. My question is will the 4” kit with super lift shocks be enough to support the added weight of steel bumpers front and back with a winch on the front and spare tire on the back? Or what shocks would be best if going with 3” body kit? The truck is a designated trail truck, not a daily driver. Any info would be awesome! Still learning about building out this truck!

 

[sgtsandman]

You will be want to look at regearing the axles to match whatever size of tire you thinking of going to. There is a chart in the tech section that will help with that.

As far as the shocks, they don't support the weight, they only dampen the movement of the suspension. I prefer a stiffer shock to minimize the amount of suspension compression, especially when coming off an object like a log or rock so the truck doesn't come down and smack something critcal on it.

For the springs, if you don't have #1 torsion bars already, they will help with the weight up front. 1750# springs in back will help wirh the weight there.

People seem to do ok with B bars as far as having an off road bumper and winch but I don't remember them saying if they had to crank on the adjustment bolts for the torsion keys. They probably did but the #1 bars would help (if you can find them).

With the Super Lift, you will want to look at the front driveshaft made for the lift. It helps compensate for the reliability issues induced by the suspension lift.

You may need to look at longer brake hoses and other things with the body lift, like an extension for the shifter.

One negative with the suspension lift, due to the torsion bar setup, the brackets that drop things down so they line up properly negate any clearance you get from the lift but the bigger tires will help compensate for that some.

I'm sure there are some other things that I'm missing or forgetting.

 

[03rangerNM]

So I have 31.5” tires on now with the doctor 4.10 gear ratio. 8.8” axel. I think I’ll plan on keeping the 31.5” tires and just going with 3” body kit for a little extra tire room. I don’t mind the look of 31.5 and would prefer not to re-gear if possible and that seems the best way possible to do that. I don’t really need to be on 33s anyways. I haven’t done anything with the torsion bar.

 

[sgtsandman]

So I have 31.5” tires on now with the doctor 4.10 gear ratio. 8.8” axel. I think I’ll plan on keeping the 31.5” tires and just going with 3” body kit for a little extra tire room. I don’t mind the look of 31.5 and would prefer not to re-gear if possible and that seems the best way possible to do that. I don’t really need to be on 33s anyways. I haven’t done anything with the torsion bar.

If you care about the gap between the frame and the bed, LMC Truck sells rubber material to cover that.

I've been think about getting a set just to keep the bed from rusting anymore than it already has.

 

[bobbywalter]

or remount the bumpers

 

[bobbywalter]

and a winch.

 

[sgtsandman]

I think what Bobby is driving at is that some body lift kits come with brackets the raise the bumpers so there isn't a gap. It isn't just pucks for the body if it is a proper kit.