Skyjacker 4" Lift Feedback

[INHWMW]

Hey folks been a while! Good to be back with like-minded individuals.

I'm looking into a 4" Skyjacker suspension lift for my Ranger, a '96 Extended cab 4WD. I don't do any serious wheeling, just mild off roading for camping and so on. I'd love any feedback anyone has on this kit (the full Class II kit with extended radius arms) or any other 4" kit from Skyjacker! Information on install, driving experience, all of it would be helpful. If anyone has some good pictures of a similar truck with a 4" lift I'd love to see those as well to get an idea of stance after install. Thanks folks!

 

[Shran]

James Duff is substantially better quality but it costs a bit more. Not sure if they are still making full kits though? They seem to have disappeared from their website....

Skyjacker is a distant #2 choice after Duff. They are better than the other cheap lifts (Tough Country, Rough Country, BDS, Rancho, etc.) If lift height is all you care about and are not real concerned about durability in the rocks then it'll work fine. Duff is way more durable for rock crawling type stuff. With that said I am not a big fan of Skyjacker leaf springs. There are far better options out there. I have had two sets of 6" lift springs that sagged out almost immediately. Tech support said tough luck.

My experience here involves owning an older Skyjacker Class II 6" lift (2008-9 date range) as well as a Duff 3" lift, a 4" RC lift, and I installed a 5" top of the line Duff kit for a friend.

 

[INHWMW]

Interesting, that’s the first thing I’ve read/heard about Skyjacker that hasn’t been a resounding endorsement. I’ve read that the springs are on the softer side, but it seems like you really aren’t a fan?

James Duff kits seem really great, but really aren’t necessary for me given my use case. From a quick glance at their website, I see the same as you. Doesn’t look like they sell complete kits anymore.

 

[Shran]

I ran my Skyjacker lift fairly hard in the rocks and bent one of the radius arms and the transmission crossmember. Tubing was pretty thin, was 1/8" wall at most. Would be better if they used thicker wall tube... but to be fair it's not advertised as rock crawling parts.

I am not a fan of their leaf springs. They ride nice but what's the point if they sag out or get bent right away? Again... they are not advertised as rock crawling springs... but they should be the most durable part of the suspension just by nature. If you can afford Deavers or something better, I would suggest that instead.

If you can fabricate stuff and are on a budget, you can piece a 4" lift together pretty easily. Drop brackets are fairly cheap on eBay... buy some springs from SJ or Duff, you need a drop pitman arm, longer shocks, make your own extended arms and buy your choice of rear springs & shocks. Honestly a set of 4 door Explorer springs, an add-a-leaf, longer shackles, and maybe a taller block will get you 4-6" of lift for not much money at all. Pick up some extended brake lines and get it aligned and you'll be all set.