Skyjacker 8 inch requires?

[Vanner1993]

I plan on buying a skyjacker 8 inch lift kit. Besides getting extended brake hoses, do the driveshafts need extending? And what else is recommended? It is an 86 Ranger standard cab.

 

[atvkid4eva]

Its your choice, but your better off to go with the 6" kit. You run into steering linkage problems with the 8" kit since the drop on the pitman arm is not enough. There's a ton of threads on here recommending the same. Unless you plan on fabbing up a custom steering setup I'd say stay away from the 8" kit.

 

[Vanner1993]

ok, I've been looking around a little. I did notice the pitman arm is for up to 6. I just want to run 35's, I see yours clears them.

 

[mhughes165]

6" will give you 35's but u have alot more upgrading todo before u can support those tires properly

 

[Vanner1993]

I also plan on a dana 35, but can get away for a while if I stick to the street.

 

[atvkid4eva]

Yeah i fit 35's fine..i also have a d35 and an 8.8 in the rear.

 

[4x4junkie]

The only way the 8" kit will be somewhat manageable is if you also get something like the Stonecrusher steering linkage on it. Otherwise it's gonna handle like ass (to the point of being dangerous IMO).

I think your driveshafts will be OK, though I could see needing to clearance your front yoke at the t-case a bit for clearance at full-droop if you have a manual trans in your '86.

 

[legoms013]

The only way the 8" kit will be somewhat manageable is if you also get something like the Stonecrusher steering linkage on it. Otherwise it's gonna handle like ass (to the point of being dangerous IMO).

I think your driveshafts will be OK, though I could see needing to clearance your front yoke at the t-case a bit for clearance at full-droop if you have a manual trans in your '86.

I'm not even sure the stonecrusher kit on a 8" kit would produce good driving characteristics. I had one with a 6" kit, AND a FA600 and it drove like absolute crap. Worse than 6" of lift with a 4" drop pitman arm on stock linkage. I couldn't stay in a lane if the pavement was *featured* in any way what so ever. Too much difference between the lift height of the kit/coils versus the droped steering linkage (was a difference of around 2.5"-3")

OP, go with a 6 SJ kit, an FA600 arm or *modified* Superlift Superrunner steeging setup (mod the centerlink down 2-2.5").

If you still find you need a bit extra height to help clear the 35s, trim your fenders and/or run washers (orskip straight to 8" coils and be done with it).Then sell the 6"ers...

Good Luck Man!

If you need persuasion that 35's will fit, take a look at my truck in my build thread or elsewhere. I am at 6.5" of lift with 33's and have a ton of fender room (though I know the first gens have less fender room, I have more than enough for 35's, albeit some trimming of the inner fender is unavoidable no matter what generation truck).