Why the body lift on a Ford Ranger Edge?

[Lefty]

I'm still a Ranger Noobie, but I gotta ask. Way back when Ford made the Ranger Splash, a nice little truck, of course. Then they went ahead and rebadged it as the Edge. They made some nice upgrades. One was the body lift. The claim was to make it better for off road. If I am correct, that body lift did not make much real difference in ground clearance. Isn't the frame still at the same height? So then why did Ford lift the body at all? Wouldn't the Edge actually ride and handle better at its original height?

 

[Blmpkn]

I don't think any edge came from Ford with a body lift.

 

[Lefty]

I don't think any edge came from Ford with a body lift.

I'm certainly no expert on automotive history, but it seems that somewhere around year 2000, Ford introduced the XL Trailhead option, offering the suspension and higher ride height of a 4x4 Ranger on a rear-wheel drive vehicle. I believe this same configuration was later repackaged as the Ranger Edge along with other changes such as body trim. Mine is the flareside version, originally branded as a Splash which was once the standard height.

 

[bobbywalter]

You need to look into that a Lil further bud

 

[Blmpkn]

I'm certainly no expert on automotive history, but it seems that somewhere around year 2000, Ford introduced the XL Trailhead option, offering the suspension and higher ride height of a 4x4 Ranger on a rear-wheel drive vehicle. I believe this same configuration was later repackaged as the Ranger Edge along with other changes such as body trim. Mine is the flareside version, originally branded as a Splash which was once the standard height.

The height came from essentially being on a 4x4 frame/suspension/tires.

A "regular" 2wd comes on a coil front end with 28" tires, edges came with t-bars and 30s

 

[bobbywalter]

The height came from essentially being on a 4x4 frame/suspension/tires.

A "regular" 2wd comes on a coil front end with 28" tires, edges came with t-bars and 30s

I was hoping to see a factory....factree....body lift.


That is a Chevy thing .... Was figuring if he runs it down....he will figure it out.

 

[superj]

my edge doesn't have a body lift on it and its completely a completely stock 04.

and she still burns the tires and rock n rolls

 

[Ranger850]

@Lefty, I think you're a little confused as to what a "body" lift is. I'm no expert either, but MY 2001 2wd Edge has lift blocks on the rear axle that lift the whole truck, but not the axles. I think this was part of the "Edge" package. Below is a picture of the blocks that rais the rear. The front is torsion bars, so a twist one way will lift, a twist the other way will lower. also a completely stock 2001 2wd Ranger Edge

 

[Lefty]

@Lefty, I think you're a little confused as to what a "body" lift is. I'm no expert either, but MY 2001 2wd Edge has lift blocks on the rear axle that lift the whole truck, but not the axles. I think this was part of the "Edge" package. Below is a picture of the blocks that rais the rear. The front is torsion bars, so a twist one way will lift, a twist the other way will lower. also a completely stock 2001 2wd Ranger Edge
View attachment 72230

Very good! Thank you! I'm going to go out to the garage and take a peek. And yes, the Edge comes with Torsion bars.

My question, however, still remains. The rear differential must still be close to the same height as other Rangers, most of which were not configured for off road. Why would Ford raise the body height if the ground clearance remains essentially the same on the back end?

 

[Blmpkn]

Very good! Thank you! I'm going to go out to the garage and take a peek. And yes, the Edge comes with Torsion bars.

My question, however, still remains. The rear differential must still be close to the same height as other Rangers, most of which were not configured for off road. Why would Ford raise the body height if the ground clearance remains essentially the same on the back end?

Ford didn't raise the body. The truck sits higher because of suspension & tire differences.


Body lifts are spacers that get installed between the body and the frame, lifting the body off the frame. Completely different thing than what Ford used to "lift" the edge.


Regardless... a body lift can help off road because it gets the body further away from any obstacles your trying to go over.

Even with a stock suspension and stock tires... a body lift can be the difference between a smashed in rocker panel... and NOT smashing in a rocker panel.

 

[Ranger850]

@Lefty a 2wd "Edge" is an appearance package. It gives the "appearance" of a 4wd truck to a 2wd truck. The advantage of a Lift, but axle stays the same height off the ground still allows for bigger tires, which will then raise the axle.

 

[Lefty]

Ford didn't raise the body. The truck sits higher because of suspension & tire differences.


Body lifts are spacers that get installed between the body and the frame, lifting the body off the frame. Completely different thing than what Ford used to "lift" the edge.


Regardless... a body lift can help off road because it gets the body further away from any obstacles your trying to go over.

Even with a stock suspension and stock tires... a body lift can be the difference between a smashed in rocker panel... and NOT smashing in a rocker panel.

@Lefty a 2wd "Edge" is an appearance package. It gives the "appearance" of a 4wd truck to a 2wd truck. The advantage of a Lift, but axle stays the same height off the ground still allows for bigger tires, which will then raise the axle.

 

[Ranger850]

I posted a pick of the "lift" blocks. That's a suspension application, not a body application.

 

[Lefty]

Very good! Thank you! I would think you are entirely right about Ford creating an "appearance package."

I've already taken advantage of this by getting new wheels and larger Cooper tires, but I'm hoping to make more modifications this spring, maybe pulling a junkyard axle with a limited slip differential, maybe also a pair of old Mustang rear disk brakes too.

 

[superj]

i think people swap explorer axles in so they get all that in one package