Ranger Suspension, Lift Kits, Leveling Kits

AzScorpion

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What's your guys/gals' opinion on having a dedicated 4x4 shop installing lift/leveling kit and doing the wheel alignment vs the dealer? Besides the cost factor, if you go with something other than the Ford/Fox kit installed @ the dealer, then you're on your own warranty wise anyway even if the dealer installed the 3rd party part?
Personally I use the dealership for as little as possible once the sale is done. I've only had one good dealer that I use to deal with back east and have yet to find a good one out here. I was all set to use a Performance off road shop for my installation which was 25 miles from me. One of my sales reps who is big into Jeeps recommended a local tire/brake shop who has done a ton of work for him so I ended up going there. The cost difference wasn't all that much (maybe $25.00) but I liked the fact that they were local and I knew someone that's had good experiences with them. They also told me to come back after 1000 miles and they would re-check everything to make sure everything was still torqued to specs. If you're using Ford/Fox parts and want the warrantee I'd go with the dealership but if you're using aftermarket parts I would go elsewhere.
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Personally I use the dealership for as little as possible once the sale is done. I've only had one good dealer that I use to deal with back east and have yet to find a good one out here. I was all set to use a Performance off road shop for my installation which was 25 miles from me. One of my sales reps who is big into Jeeps recommended a local tire/brake shop who has done a ton of work for him so I ended up going there. The cost difference wasn't all that much (maybe $25.00) but I liked the fact that they were local and I knew someone that's had good experiences with them. They also told me to come back after 1000 miles and they would re-check everything to make sure everything was still torqued to specs. If you're using Ford/Fox parts and want the warrantee I'd go with the dealership but if you're using aftermarket parts I would go elsewhere.
Same situation here, I went over 500 miles away to buy my truck, so that should give you an idea of how much I think of the local dealers in the area. I'm fortunate enough to have a local off-road shop that is really close by, does quality work and beats anyone's prices. Plus any off-road shop that's worth a damn would have no problem backing up their work.
 

AzScorpion

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Same situation here, I went over 500 miles away to buy my truck, so that should give you an idea of how much I think of the local dealers in the area. I'm fortunate enough to have a local off-road shop that is really close by, does quality work and beats anyone's prices. Plus any off-road shop that's worth a damn would have no problem backing up their work.
That's a ways to travel but I can't say I wouldn't do the same especially if the price and service were great too. I was a all set to bring it to the performance off road shop which had great reviews buttony changed my mind because I found a more local company and had a personal recommendation for them. You're right though any company worth a damn will always stand behind their work (within a reasonable time frame).
 

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What's your guys/gals' opinion on having a dedicated 4x4 shop installing lift/leveling kit and doing the wheel alignment vs the dealer? Besides the cost factor, if you go with something other than the Ford/Fox kit installed @ the dealer, then you're on your own warranty wise anyway even if the dealer installed the 3rd party part?
Not knocking the dealership service departments, but I see them being like general dentists, who are trained in every aspect of repair and maintenance, but aren't necessarily masters of any one aspect the trade. The dedicated 4x4 shop is more like the specialist, who is used to dealing with trucks on an everyday basis. They are probably more prepared to handle any problems should they arise during the application of off-road equipment. Once again, all love to the service departments. They've helped me a lot with my Fords in the past.
 

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with a lot of people lift/leveling their truck. I've yet to see someone raise this question...

Has anyone tried to see if the OEM jack has enough lift in it to raise it enough with a 2-3" lift? If not what are the options out there to prevent someone from getting stranded.
 


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with a lot of people lift/leveling their truck. I've yet to see someone raise this question...

Has anyone tried to see if the OEM jack has enough lift in it to raise it enough with a 2-3" lift? If not what are the options out there to prevent someone from getting stranded.
I actually havenā€™t but Iā€™ll use my hi-lift if I need to lift for any reason.
 

AzScorpion

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with a lot of people lift/leveling their truck. I've yet to see someone raise this question...

Has anyone tried to see if the OEM jack has enough lift in it to raise it enough with a 2-3" lift? If not what are the options out there to prevent someone from getting stranded.
The stock jack works with the height of the rear so I don't think it should make any difference because you're only leveling the front which would be even with the rear. Now if you're adding different shocks (Ford Performance/Fox) all around I think all bets are off.
 

uthunter

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The stock jack works with the height of the rear so I don't think it should make any difference because you're only leveling the front which would be even with the rear. Now if you're adding different shocks (Ford Performance/Fox) all around I think all bets are off.
If you lift off the frame or axle (other than the height caused by larger tires) why would coilovers affect jack-ibility?
 

AzScorpion

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If you lift off the frame or axle (other than the height caused by larger tires) why would coilovers affect jack-ibility?
You're right,I wasn't thinking it all through. That's why I said "I think" :)
 

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PNW_Ranger87

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Iā€™m not sure if this has been mentioned, I did a quick search and nothing came up. H&R is making a set of 1.75ā€ lift springs but thereā€™s not much info on them.

http://www.hrsprings.com/application/search/results/11/2234/2019/
Have always run H&R lowering springs on my cars and they've always ridden really well. I'm not quite ready to submit my order for suspension so I'm glad to see another option pop up! :like: Waiting for more reviews/info on these setups. The Fox Ford Performance is leading at the moment.
 

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Iā€™m not sure if this has been mentioned, I did a quick search and nothing came up. H&R is making a set of 1.75ā€ lift springs but thereā€™s not much info on them.

http://www.hrsprings.com/application/search/results/11/2234/2019/
$300 kit without shocks. Iā€™m sure you could use the stock shocks but my thinking is why not go ahead and upgrade the shock since you have everything apart?

Which in that case the Eibach setup looks like a better deal, to me anyway.

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/E...ck-Sport-Shock-Strut-Kit-0-3-of-Leveling.html
 

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I got a quote from the dealership I bought my truck from to see exactly which level kits they endorsed/installed. They offered both Ready Lift and Tuff Country. I decided on the Ready Lift based on all the research I could find. Not surprising, the dealership was over double the price of a local off-road specialist.

I considered installing the Ready Lift myself, but after reading the install instructions, as well as some of those who have done it, I decided it was above my pay scale!

So I had the Ready Lift 3ā€ Level installed at the shop where I bought my tires. The whole deal included 4-BFG LT KO2 275/70R17, level kit install and alignment. The shop specializes in lifts/levels of all sorts. They have done many Ready Lift installs, but this was their first level on a 2019 Ranger. The tech said it was ā€œmore involved than he first thoughtā€. They had the truck for 7 hours, and I had to wait Ā½ hour after closing to pick it upā€¦. So I think it was pretty tough and Iā€™m glad I didnā€™t try to install!
(BTW, no trimming or modifications were required on the level/tire install and I have had no rubbing issues either)

The 3ā€ Ready Lift Level Kit puts the truck virtually level (unloaded). I donā€™t plan on towing much if anything (I use the tow receiver for my KUAT bike rack). I measured from the garage floor to the top of the wheel well trim (straight thru the center of wheel) and the fronts are 38-1/4ā€ dead-on and the rears measure 38-3/4ā€.

My Wife and I both agree the leveled ride is better than the stock ride. Because the tires were swapped as well, it is not possible/fair to credit only the level for the ride improvement. The ride is great and we love how the truck sits!

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Ranger Rick

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First time truck owner here. How do we best soften up the ride in our Ranger, particularly for un-maintained dirt road applications? We took it up into the mountains today, and it bounced pretty badly over washboards, to the point where it started to rotate a couple times. I'd really like to smooth out the ride and calm down the handling over rough stuff. We weren't even going very quickly.

Is this a tire-pressure thing? We were at 40 psi for all four. How low can we safely run the Bridgestone Duelers?

Going further, do different springs help? Or different shocks? Or both?

We have a bone-stock XLT, and will mostly be using this for outdoor adventures and hauling big objects. No seriously heavy loads anticipated, and no hardcore off-roading planned. I'd like to stay as close to the stock ride height as possible, but level.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
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