Noob thinking Truxxx 3" lift-- Couple of questions

[dangeranger88]

Hi guys. First off I wanna say this forum is the greatest resource i can find for my fairly recent first purchase of a Ford Ranger. Im completely new to lifting trucks and modifying them as such, and mostly auto mechanical do-it-yourself stuff in general. However I'm a fairly mechanically inclined person.

So after looking around, I'm considering purchasing the Truxxx 3" Torsion keys and rear add-a-leaf set for my 1999 Ranger XLT. I'm not looking to do much heavy off-roading and this seems like the most practical lift for me and a friend had recommended it also. So my questions are as follows:

1.) Will I need anything in addition to this kit, such as new shocks, to add this lift
2.) Will it clear 32" nicely?
3.) How hard is it to install for a newby like myself?
4.) will 32's fit on my stock 15" rims, and does anyone have experience with this kit? Any pics or such? Thanks very much in advance.

 

[pillen140]

first, you can do ,i believe up to 2 inch torsion crank with out any special keys. you can get 1.5 inch lift add a leaf for $40 from tuff country. and a three inch bodylift is about $200 (gives good tire clearance, since youre not allthat concerned with off road). assuming your truck is 4x4 (sits higher), my truck clears 33's easily with a bodylift and 2 inch suspension lift. it fit them with out the bodylift, but when flexing it would rub. if your wheels are 7.5inches wide, the widest tire you are supposed to put on that wheel is a 10.5 inch(wide), hight doesnt matter. i run 33x10.5r15's and i love them!

 

[crawlin91]

Welcome, and yes the rangerstation is by FAR the best site for rbv's around. I dont think youll have any fitment issues with 32's on the wheel or on the truck. But im not certain. Dont know much about the lift, ive mainly been studying the ttb suspension myself, as I soon will be lifting my 91. Good luck.

 

[dangeranger88]

Thanks for the input...but doesn't simply cranking the TBs increase risk of breakage in there? Iwas reading pros and cons in other threads about torsion bar cranks and it sounds like people have had some problems with it...plus the truxxx keys would add more flex right?

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I'm confused. Is the 88 in your screen name just a number or a year?
Cause that would make a giant difference in this case.

Here's the different stages of my '00. (Same gen)

Stock as hell with 33x12.5s on 15x10 rims

Torsion bar crank w/ same tire and wheel combo

Torsion bar crank, 3" body lift, same tire and wheel combo

Torsion bar crank, 3" body lift, 35x15.5 TSLs on 15x10" rims

And a 8" suspension lift, full widths, and 35x15.5 TSLs on stock 79 bronco rims

hahaha, wait, that last one's not a Ranger


I think the best thing you coul do for your truck for some nice off road performance and good street mannors are:

1) Pull the front sway bar. **** that thing. Pull the rear one while you're at it. It feels like a boat on the highway.

2) Crank your T-bars but not TOO much. Limits down travel (not much travel to start with) The ride is rough as shit, and the CVs don't like it much

3) Replace your rear 2" blocks with an extended shackles (Chevy 2wd drop shackles will lift a Ranger on the cheap 15-45 bucks for shackles, 30ish for new shorter u-bolts) Much softer ride, tons of flex, but a lot of sag when towing or with a loaded bed.

For the last 4 wheeling outings, I wheeled in 2wd with a L/S in the rear and the added flex fromt the longer shackles really saved my ass and helped me keep a tire on the ground at all times.

4)Get a set of agressive A/Ts and rock that shit.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I need to get around to writing an article about these aftermarket keys.

Here's the deal. Cranking your bars 1.5"-2" is perfectly acceptable, and you should be able to achieve it with the stock keys provided you have enough thread left on the adjuster bolt.

The ONLY thing these keys do is allow you more cranking ability IF your adjuster bolts are maxed out and you still want more lift. Some trucks DO indeed need them, but I'm willing to bet you're truck still has plenty of thread left on the adjuster bolts. These keys do not "lift" the truck like one would think, say like a Superlift kit. To lift IFS suspension requires more than just keys, it requires a whole kit with taller knuckles, bracketry, etc.

Just crank your bars.

Also, the biggest tire you will fit WITHOUT rubbing while running the stock 16x7 wheels is a 265/75/16, which is about a 32" tire. 33" tires will fit, but you will need to go to a 15x10 with about .375 backspacing for good results.

 

[dangeranger88]

Thanks for the input again guys....please remember i am a newbie i dont know much about a lot of stuff you guys said. I do know that there IS indeed plenty of thread left on the torsion bars....I'm really looking for the simplest lift...Would a body lift be easier to install?

Edit: Also, my stock wheels are 15"

 

[LittleBigFoot]

A b/l will take about a day and a half or two days.

With a 3" there's a steering linkage extension, shift cable extension, radiator drop brackets, bumper brackets, and then the actual lift pieces.

I think a B/L is well worth it.

 

[99 Off-Road Ranger]

hey got a 99 ranger myself have a 3 inch p/a body lift and just put in truxxx key cranked them all the way out and 2 inch blocks in the back it makes from a darn good look but i do some pretty mean off road trails around town and even with the keys from truxxx the truck feels like it rides on rails at best so i would say good lift but ride poor at best and 32s would fit with good play up and down and side to side you should be all good

 

[dangeranger88]

Okay, so I found this lift kit on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-0...021QQitemZ310080400912QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Says it has all those required parts; bumper brackets, steering extension, etc. It just looks like so many more parts than the truxxx kit! With the truxxx, would I have to separately purchase those other parts? Once again, I'm aiming for simplicity, but most like I will end up having to call up an old co-worker to help me

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

That auction is for a body lift, not a suspension lift. The truxxx lift falls under the suspension category.

The PA body lift is pretty simple...just take your time.

 

[dangeranger88]

That auction is for a body lift, not a suspension lift. The truxxx lift falls under the suspension category.

The PA body lift is pretty simple...just take your time.

Thanks for the input...would I need to have the truck completely jacked up, all 4's for this project? All i got is a 3 ton floor jack. I hope it comes with instructions too lol.

 

[Toreadorranger]

do not get the Truxxx lift, torsion keys just lead to problems. Your truck will fit a 33x10.5 tire stock or a 32x11.5. Just run the 3" Body lift.

 

[dangeranger88]

ok thanks guys. i've decided to go with the PA body lift and run some 32's. i would consider 33's but i like a little bit of clearance not sure how much would be left with the 33s.

 

[Toreadorranger]

32's will look funny with a body lift. This is a 3" body lift with 33's.