no idea where to start!

[4x4junkie89]

hey everyone. just picked an an 89 ranger super cab 4x4, i want to do a full blown lift for some major offroading but have no idea where to start. maybe a 6 in lift from skyjacker but $1500 seems a bit steep for me right now. any suggestions on maybe piecing together a lift and then just buy the shocks and springs and stuff? i want all suspension lift and no body lift. i picked up an axle last week its an 8.8 with 4.56s already in it for 80 bucks and thats where i stand so far just need some help with the rest because im a newbie with lifts and stuff. any suggestions??

 

[Shran]

You should skip the TTB lift completely and do a solid axle swap. It is not any harder than installing a TTB lift and it is more durable by an order of magnitude. In your case I'd pick up a full width HP D44 because they're readily available, narrow it, and run it with stock Ford radius arms and 3.5" EB coils. Steering is easily built with heims and DOM. Lift in the rear can be accomplished with Explorer springs, blocks, Belltech 6400 shackles, or Chevy leaf springs much cheaper than aftermarket stuff.

I say do the solid axle because I have destroyed almost every piece of that $1500 Skyjacker lift you looked at, and I was only on 33's with no lockers running mild trails. If you have any more questions feel free to ask - I started my build exactly where you are three years ago.

 

[4x4junkie89]

for some odd reason i want to keep the axle that i have. i just want to throw together the components of a lift and fab up some custom parts and i know a fabricator that already said he could help me out. if you get a chance check out crawlin91's build thread and i want to do something super similar. i just need some help figuring out what i need for my build so i can price it out and get this damn build going already

 

[colby450xc]

Either way don't do a drop bracket lift........... Cut and turned ttb beams will be way better since you retain the stock pivot point without having rigged drop brackets. Get the right parts to make the steering work properly such as a dropped pitman arm. Add some braided steel brake lines to both ends and an auto locker to the rear and an air-locker to the front. Get some lift shackles for the back and good quality shocks and call it done. Other than that, good wheels and tires will go a long way. This list is for a truck you also want to drive on the street without it being a piece of hell to do so. Otherwise go all out. Still with fab-work, a straight axles swap has nearly endless possibilities of lift with the right springs. Just don't do all the lift with blocks.

 

[4x4junkie89]

sounds like a dumb question to be asking but can you explain what cut and turned beams are and how it works??