Trying to identify my lift situation so I can replace shocks / springs. Pics attached.

[Kegworth]

Trying to identify my suspension lift (was done by PO) situation / calculate current lift height so I can know what shocks to order.

Looks like blocks, but maybe added leafs too. Not sure. Just wanna know how much i am above stock. Any help very much appreciated!

1988 Ranger 4x4 2.9

 

[Curious Hound]

The bottom block was added for the lift. The height if that block is probably your lift height. Hard to tell anything about the springs from these pix. Could very well be original springs.

 

[sheep herder]

Whoever did it was an idiot. You don't stack lift blocks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Looks like stock springs and a home made block.

 

[Kegworth]

Lol yeah i have no idea who owned it prior, i was worried that it was a bit homespun. Drives like a boat, assumed it was due to worn out bushings everywhere - but the more i thought about it, i was like maybe i need to look into new shocks/springs.
I don’t wanna spend a ton, the truck is used mostly for hauling to / from construction sites / dump. But i love it and take care of it so also not tryna skimp.

What do y’all suggest for similar ride height but approachable price point? Looks like that lower block is 3”. Attached better pics of the rear and front suspension.

 

[lvwill]

That's a scary thing to see !

 

[Curious Hound]

Lol yeah i have no idea who owned it prior, i was worried that it was a bit homespun. Drives like a boat, assumed it was due to worn out bushings everywhere - but the more i thought about it, i was like maybe i need to look into new shocks/springs.
I don’t wanna spend a ton, the truck is used mostly for hauling to / from construction sites / dump. But i love it and take care of it so also not tryna skimp.

What do y’all suggest for similar ride height but approachable price point? Looks like that lower block is 3”. Attached better pics of the rear and front suspension.
View attachment 58049View attachment 58050View attachment 58051View attachment 58052View attachment 58053

 

[Kegworth]

SPEAK! I mean is it that bad?!

 

[Curious Hound]

That coil spring stuff is bad. The metal clamp things pinpoint stress on tiny points of the springs instead of allowing the stress to be evenly distributed over the entire length of the spring.

 

[dvdswan]

It looks like 2 springs held together by a coil bucket.

In this image with the obvious different angle of each coil would tell me that it's broken or 2 coils. I would highly advise not to drive this vehicle until this is fixed. You are asking to either hurt yourself or others.

 

[Curious Hound]

It looks like 2 springs held together by a coil bucket.

In this image with the obvious different angle of each coil would tell me that it's broken or 2 coils. I would highly advise not to drive this vehicle until this is fixed. You are asking to either hurt yourself or others.
View attachment 58064

That black thing in the middle is a spacer you can buy at the parts store, made to help lift saggy springs. The clamp doohickeys are a different thing to get the same result. The spring appears bent because the clamp devices are not evenly spaced.

Either way, the best remedy is new springs and ditch the dangerous gimmicks.

There are some great articles in our tech section to explain Ranger suspension and how to lift it both inexpensively and expensively.

Suspension and Body Lifts - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Kegworth]

Would it be possible to just replace the springs in the front with similar height springs?? But one piece and not the dodgy double spring situation going on.

just don’t think i can do $800.+ for new suspension all around right now.
Thanks!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yes you can replace just the front springs. A new or used pair from an explorer 1990-1994 would probably keep some of the lift the PO tried to do.

 

[Kegworth]

Yes you can replace just the front springs. A new or used pair from an explorer 1990-1994 would probably keep some of the lift the PO tried to do.

like these? https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/MC/5253-07134457.html

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't think that coil is broken... but you sure do have a bunch going on there.

And none of it is good...

I would just take a deep breath and think about what you want to do with it in the end... then buy the right parts and do it one time.

Buy once... cry once.