Anybody planning to lower their 2019 Ranger?

[Doc]

That's odd, as I talked to someone at Control Freak on Monday and they said with their front drop, I could easily get 5"-5.5" of drop, with a 20x9, 4.5" BS, -12 OS, with the 265/50 tires without rubbing? I know the SCT truck is 5.5" lowered in the front and I assume 6"+ in the rear?

Thats true until you go over a bumpy dirt road like the one I live on….I went lower but the happy medium was 35” for me..
Regards

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[FinalNotice]

So mine is 4x4 I just took the decals off the bed side. Mine is 2.25" front (anything lower and the top control arms are maxed and you are riding on the bump stops) and 5" rear. On the factory tires was 33" from the ground to the center of the wheel well all the way around. My tires are 265/40R22
Factory wheels and tires

 

[FinalNotice]

4WD or 2WD ?? @FinalNotice I know it says 4x4, but just want to make sure....and yes, I'm a little excited. Also, any issues, like rattles, grinding, or anything weird ? Have you tried 4x4 with it ?

Nothing crazy at all. 4x4 still works fine and nothing binding at my drop level

 

[Mirage775]

Thats true until you go over a bumpy dirt road like the one I live on….I went lower but the happy medium was 35” for me..
Regards

Oh, gotcha! I used to live on roads like that, until my wife and I migrated to the city about 14 years ago...

 

[Mirage775]

So mine is 4x4 I just took the decals off the bed side. Mine is 2.25" front (anything lower and the top control arms are maxed and you are riding on the bump stops) and 5" rear. On the factory tires was 33" from the ground to the center of the wheel well all the way around. My tires are 265/40R22
Factory wheels and tires

After seeing this, I might actually consider the full Belltech kit. They've been telling me that there's a new 3/6 kit coming out near the end of the year, even though people on here are telling me it's already available, even though, I've told them they're 2 separate kits..

On your pic here, with the stock wheels, are those the Black Appearance wheels, 18x8, with 265/60 rubber? If so, then my 265/50/20's would look the same as yours, which is what I was going for

 

[FinalNotice]

After seeing this, I might actually consider the full Belltech kit. They've been telling me that there's a new 3/6 kit coming out near the end of the year, even though people on here are telling me it's already available, even though, I've told them they're 2 separate kits..

On your pic here, with the stock wheels, are those the Black Appearance wheels, 18x8, with 265/60 rubber? If so, then my 265/50/20's would look the same as yours, which is what I was going for

Yes those are the stock black appearance wheels and tires. I swapped them with 265/40/22 which is the same overall height of the stock setup

 

[Mirage775]

Yes those are the stock black appearance wheels and tires. I swapped them with 265/40/22 which is the same overall height of the stock setup

That's awesome! Maybe I'll go the full Belltech route, as it's much more affordable and doesn't look far off from my future SCT SEMA clones' wheel gap

 

[66F100]

After seeing this, I might actually consider the full Belltech kit. They've been telling me that there's a new 3/6 kit coming out near the end of the year, even though people on here are telling me it's already available, even though, I've told them they're 2 separate kits..

On your pic here, with the stock wheels, are those the Black Appearance wheels, 18x8, with 265/60 rubber? If so, then my 265/50/20's would look the same as yours, which is what I was going for

The full Belltech kit that is currently available is good for 2" front, 6"rear as it is shipped.
The rear is a flip setup with two position adjustable shackles, 4" and 5". The 6" drop is achieved with the stock shackles.
The front lowering struts currently included with the kit are good for a range of stock to 3" lower. Right now we can go down to a 2" drop with the stock control arms. To correctly get down to a 3" drop - and maintain alignment - we will have to replace the upper control arms. Belltech says they are working on a replacement control arm to achieve the 3" drop and maintain alignment. They are rumored to be a available late this year but we all know how things have dragged out thus far with the Belltech lowering kit. COVID and other crap have put a damper on Belltechs ability to R&D and manufacture.
Right now Belltech sells all of their parts individually or as one lowering kit. Some guys who already have lowering kits are saying that they will get the adjustable upper control arms when they come available. Once I get my tires and wheels squared away I will check my frontend clearances and I may try to drop that last inch if the adjustable UCA are available.
I read earlier that Doc is running a dropped spindle. That is news to me! I didn't know that Freakride made a dropped spindle. I am going to have to check that out. Please fill us in on this setup Doc.
I personally would high recommend the Belltech kit. It has been great for me so far and no one has had a bad word to say about it. I haven't gotten my front alignment or new tires so I am holding off on a full review. Pending further investigation!

 

[Doc]

The full Belltech kit that is currently available is good for 2" front, 6"rear as it is shipped.
The rear is a flip setup with two position adjustable shackles, 4" and 5". The 6" drop is achieved with the stock shackles.
The front lowering struts currently included with the kit are good for a range of stock to 3" lower. Right now we can go down to a 2" drop with the stock control arms. To correctly get down to a 3" drop - and maintain alignment - we will have to replace the upper control arms. Belltech says they are working on a replacement control arm to achieve the 3" drop and maintain alignment. They are rumored to be a available late this year but we all know how things have dragged out thus far with the Belltech lowering kit. COVID and other crap have put a damper on Belltechs ability to R&D and manufacture.
Right now Belltech sells all of their parts individually or as one lowering kit. Some guys who already have lowering kits are saying that they will get the adjustable upper control arms when they come available. Once I get my tires and wheels squared away I will check my frontend clearances and I may try to drop that last inch if the adjustable UCA are available.
I read earlier that Doc is running a dropped spindle. That is news to me! I didn't know that Freakride made a dropped spindle. I am going to have to check that out. Please fill us in on this setup Doc.
I personally would high recommend the Belltech kit. It has been great for me so far and no one has had a bad word to say about it. I haven't gotten my front alignment or new tires so I am holding off on a full review. Pending further investigation!

Don’t know the specifics, but I have the freakride front lowering kit, I didnt put it in… It was done by my installer here along with a very expensive rear welding job …
Regards

Edit:
It appears to be just upper and lower control arms with different spindle assignment …and shocks. I would recommend the Belltech kit also….

 

[Mirage775]

The full Belltech kit that is currently available is good for 2" front, 6"rear as it is shipped.
The rear is a flip setup with two position adjustable shackles, 4" and 5". The 6" drop is achieved with the stock shackles.
The front lowering struts currently included with the kit are good for a range of stock to 3" lower. Right now we can go down to a 2" drop with the stock control arms. To correctly get down to a 3" drop - and maintain alignment - we will have to replace the upper control arms. Belltech says they are working on a replacement control arm to achieve the 3" drop and maintain alignment. They are rumored to be a available late this year but we all know how things have dragged out thus far with the Belltech lowering kit. COVID and other crap have put a damper on Belltechs ability to R&D and manufacture.
Right now Belltech sells all of their parts individually or as one lowering kit. Some guys who already have lowering kits are saying that they will get the adjustable upper control arms when they come available. Once I get my tires and wheels squared away I will check my front end clearances and I may try to drop that last inch if the adjustable UCA are available.
I read earlier that Doc is running a dropped spindle. That is news to me! I didn't know that Freakride made a dropped spindle. I am going to have to check that out. Please fill us in on this setup Doc.
I personally would high recommend the Belltech kit. It has been great for me so far and no one has had a bad word to say about it. I haven't gotten my front alignment or new tires so I am holding off on a full review. Pending further investigation!

I'm aware of what Belltech currently has available now, but I have been emailing them over the last 2 months or so and they keep telling me that they're releasing a 3/6 kit is coming soon, LOL! Belltech sent me this on August 11:

Hello,

We are currently in production with the 3”/6” drop kit for the new body style Rangers. We should have that kit available around the middle of November.

Your complete satisfaction and delivering an exceptional experience are our number one goal here at KW Automotive. Have a wonderful day!

Thank You,
Braden Gentleman

Customer Care and Technical Support

KW automotive North America, Inc.
300 W. Pontiac Way
Clovis, CA 93612 USA
Tel: +1 559.875.0222 ext. 159
Email:[email protected]
Web: www.kwautomotive.com

I asked if they were making an adjustable UCA and they told me no? They said their soon to be released kit will go do to 3" full inches, but control arms would be necessary to go lower than 3"... Everytime I email me them back, asking new questions to their previous answers, I get a completely different answer...

As far as I know of, Control Freak/Freakride doesn't have a drop spindle available? I just spoke with them last Monday and he said it was the adj UCA's, coilovers and the brackets needed to install everything. It's nice and I'd really like to have it, but $2000 for what it is, is ridiculous! The rear setup looks far more complex and is only $500 more than the front... It's just a shock to me, LOL!

Bad thing is, I just discovered, that the SCT SEMA Ranger is a 4x4 and I ordered a 2wd I'll have better luck finding a used '19-'21 4x4 Ranger, than what I'm about to pay for a new custom order 2wd Ranger...

 

[66F100]

Don’t know the specifics, but I have the freakride front lowering kit, I didnt put it in… It was done by my installer here along with a very expensive rear welding job …
Regards

Edit:
It appears to be just upper and lower control arms with different spindle assignment …and shocks.

Gotcha buddy! I was just unsure. Thank you for clarifying!
Be interesting to know if they would sell the upper control arms by themselves.

 

[Mirage775]

Edit:
It appears to be just upper and lower control arms with different spindle assignment …and shocks. I would recommend the Belltech kit also….

Doc, I thought it was just upper control arms, coilovers and the mounts for the coilovers in their kit?

 

[PierreD]

Can anybody who did this modification comment on the ride quality of the shocks included in the kit.
How do they compare to stock shocks or FOX/Bilstein if you have tried those?

 

[66F100]

Can anybody who did this modification comment on the ride quality of the shocks included in the kit.
How do they compare to stock shocks or FOX/Bilstein if you have tried those?

Rides rougher but more controlled than stock. Bridge joints aren't as floaty but more of a jarring bump. Not harsh at all just less jouncy. Reminds me of a mustang with a performance suspension. I honestly love the way it rides. Feels more planted and composed compared to stock.

If you are interested in Belltech they do offer just the rear shocks and the front struts can be set at stock height.

Difficult to compare the Fox or Bilstein because those are installed on leveled/lifted trucks. The center of gravity is much higher and the suspension travel is usually greater. I will say that I can't personally compare because I have never ridden in a lifted Ranger with Fox or Bilstein suspension parts.

 

[Doc]

Doc, I thought it was just upper control arms, coilovers and the mounts for the coilovers in their kit?

Yup, you are right …I just checked, uppers only..I never paid much attention to the front setup ..
Regards

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