Thinking of 1994 2wd lift question

[rangerraider1979]

Whats better and Easier
Suspension or Body lift with out alot of modifications
I was thinking about raising my 94 2wd with a 4.0 I was thinking about putting 4x4 coils or even explorer coils in front and maybe 200? explorer leafs in back But I have no clue where to begin on my project. I have a bunch of stuff I want to do do to it being my wifes grandfathers truck who passed away so I want to keep it around for a while. Atleast till I give it to my daughter. Where do I post pics of my project from start to beginning. I do have access to a bone yard to get parts for cheap. So I can get a lot of parts wish they had a lifted 4wd I could scrape off the parts of of.
Or would a explorer coils and leafs do the trick??

 

[rangerraider1979]

any one??

 

[killj0y]

the lift kit for it isn't real expensive from rough country I got mine shipped for about 500. you can do the coils alone but you might run into bump steer issues without the drop brackets just depends on how much lift the coils realistically give you. I'm happy with mine no issues it was worth every penny. 96 2wd 2.3 btw

 

[rangerraider1979]

Was thinking as high as the newer rangers sit it is my daily driver maybe 2 in leveling kit? I have access to 4wd suspensions and explorers suspensions and I think he had a 2001 or 2002 2wd that I believe sits higher than mine I have a 94 2nd gen body xlt standard cab long bed 4.0. I get parts like really cheap because I have sold him vehicles and bought parts from him. I just got rid of the 14s and put 15s on it raised it a hair maybe new coils and shocks and add a leaf to the pack. just enough to put bigger tires on it.

 

[JoshT]

Whats better and Easier
Suspension or Body lift with out alot of modifications

Unfortunately that should be: "What's better OR easier?"

Easier would be the body lift for sure, and possibly cheaper too depending on how cheap (and if) you can get the right suspension parts to lift from the junkyard.

Better would be the suspension lift without a doubt. The question is if the suspension lift would be overkill. What do you plan to use the truck for? Are you lifting to run a bigger tire for looks, or are you doing serious off-roading where you need better suspension and more travel?

If it's just for or to fit a slightly bigger tire for mild off-road use, just put in a body lift and be happy with the cash you saved.

Where do I post pics of my project from start to beginning.

Since you are lifting, the correct place to post pics would be in a build thread under the "Off-Road Rangers Under Construction" section of the forum.

I was thinking about raising my 94 2wd with a 4.0 I was thinking about putting 4x4 coils or even explorer coils in front and maybe 200? explorer leafs in back But I have no clue where to begin on my project.

I do have access to a bone yard to get parts for cheap. So I can get a lot of parts wish they had a lifted 4wd I could scrape off the parts of of.
Or would a explorer coils and leafs do the trick??

Sorry, but I'm really not up on what all 4wd suspension components will work on a 2wd.

Was thinking as high as the newer rangers sit it is my daily driver maybe 2 in leveling kit? I have access to 4wd suspensions and explorers suspensions and I think he had a 2001 or 2002 2wd that I believe sits higher than mine I have a 94 2nd gen body xlt standard cab long bed 4.0. I get parts like really cheap because I have sold him vehicles and bought parts from him. I just got rid of the 14s and put 15s on it raised it a hair maybe new coils and shocks and add a leaf to the pack. just enough to put bigger tires on it.

Not sure about any stock for stock ride height difference between yours and the newer models. That said spring sag can make it drop some over the years so a newer model could definitely look higher. There are also ride height variations from the factory, in particular the later models 2wds have two different suspensions. The later coil spring sits about the same height as yours would have stock, the 2wd torsion bar suspensions sit at about the same height as a 4wd truck. As for parts, none of the front suspension parts from a 98+ Ranger (or 96+ Explorer) will fit on your truck, all of the rear suspension parts are compatible though.

Above I said that a body lift would be easier than a suspension lift, but if you are just thinking about a leveling kit it might be the easier option and I definitely think a better one.

 

[bobbywalter]

mechanically speaking what is your skill level? if you have low skills and no tools nothing is cheap.


if you own drills and saws and grinders and are not afraid of them because you know how to....and getting knicks and cuts is a normal thing from your constant repair activities theres real cost effective things you can do.




i would get 3-4 deg bushings and run the coils and leaves from a 2wd ttb f150. you may or may not have to trim a coil. this is regardless of 2wd or 4x4 rangers....


along with the radius arms. this requires relocating the radius arm cross member back so you need to drill a few holes and buy some bolts. its a bit of a pia as you have to pop the front cab mounts loose at least on one side for indexing and shim the radius arms forward a bit with washers but the gain in articulation and caster so you can maximize camber adjustment is worth it imo. also on older trucks the mount is often in need of repair on the seat face anyway at this point...so total removal and repair along with fresh bushings can figure into this....more time and money. but worth it if you want to play hard.....you need to adjust the coils fingers in the bucket sometimes....hammer and extension to tap them around...and make a good coil retainer....some flatstock or u clamps....

the rear springs require you to drill the hanger brackets or sleeve the front leaf eyes....non issue to me. the springs do bring the axle forward a bit, but unless you know that most wont ever notice. i have only had issues with putting a shim on to point the pinion down a little before...2 deg. but there are various springs on the 150 2wd....so measuring free arch, the larger 8-9 inch is the good softer spring.....the 6 in is the harder springs. lift goes 1-to almost 4 inches depending on actual truck.


but the setup from the 2wd 150, it will net you 2.5-3.5 inches of lift generally, and with good shocks(proper lengths) you should be able to whoop on it pretty good to the limits of the stock steering anyway.


many of the ttb broncos will have the quad shock option....you could use the buckets from one and mod a front mount with some leveling coils and gain some shock options. at that point i would be going full width though. it is not ideal and takes some rigging but thats what it takes to save a buck.


generally, where i shop i can get all of that for less then a 150 bux though from the yards i haunt....of course bolts etc will add costs a bit.

using flat stock to relocate the hard brakelines would be my likely option with those...and maybe an upgrade to e 350 lines. you may need some degree shims for the rear axle depending on your exact situation. easy to do as well as long as you have good c clamps.

so lifting on the cheap and getting decent results is quite possible if you can do the labor yourself and have the time with some more time to do some careful shopping for prime parts.

 

[rangerraider1979]

I have the saws grinders and tools oh and the torches and welders so lets have some beer and some fun ouch there is another cut oh well electrical tape and a shop rag will stop the bleeding.

Now on to some business I know I can do this I am going for the look and bigger tires and maybe once in awhile some play time but nothing hard. Maybe one day I have 2 projects at once going now the 94 ranger and I have gotten rid of the non starting ranger that I had and picked up a running explorer who has cancer and brake and tire issues but most of that is simple oh and the wife picked up a toy of her own while i was at work 2015 fusion nice ass car.

 

[rangerraider1979]

Ok I am leaning toward add a leaf and coil spacer?? Supreme suspension is this a good brand.
I also just crawled under and looked at my body mounts and noticed one of my washers are about rotted now contemplating on my whole suspension lift body lift because I will be changing washers on my body mounts but one thing is getting me what about the bumper isnt there going to be a big gap??? I am going for looks and light play and bigger tires No bigger than 32's Where do I go from there

 

[rangerraider1979]

So I have decided to go with a 1983-1996 Ford Ranger Bronco II PRO Lift kit from supreme suspensions Front Lift 2″ coil spacer Rear Lift 2″ Add a leaf.
I am also going to go with a light body lift 2 '' also now my question is am I going to have to mess with my steering?

 

[rangerraider1979]

Ok stupid question? Would the bottom leaf work out of another ranger work for a add a leaf lift? Would I get 2"

 

[scrapper]

The tech library has some options with shackles and explorer spring packs. I think you can get 3" with both.

 

[rangerraider1979]

Hello all again well I found a 2 body lift for a 1992 ranger for 30 bux now the question is what problems am I going to run in since my truck is a 1994 also how hard is it to lift the bumper since I do not have the brackets for it I can possibly go buy another bumper and get the brackets and fab a few brackets using them. I also still wondering if I am able to swap out the leafs from a 97 ranger and add the bottom leaf from my original leaf pack will that add any height? or should I go just get a 2 inch leveling kit.. Also how tall are the stock blocks from a 94 95 4x4 ranger I was thinking maybe get a set of leafs and coils and the blocks off of one or some off of a splash or edge.. what would this do for me?

 

[rangerraider1979]

after research I am going to the bone yard and grabbing a pair of leaf blocks off of a 4x4 ranger they are 2 inches right? Now the front coils should I take them also to help with lift or would that mess with the camber or should I just use my 97 coils and 2 inch leveling spacers?

 

[dalegibb1994]

94 ford ranger 2wd

I did a 3 inch body lift and its cheap but labor intensive. now all I want to do is raise the front with coils about a 1.5 inches to level it out and next looking to get 31 10.50 15 tires i have 235 75 15 on it now. Little leary about it because a4ld transimssion arent the best.