Anybody planning to lower their 2019 Ranger?

DHMag

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Need to look at the front spring bracket. If the spring eye is located low in the bracket(spring eye is closer to the ground), then it could possibly be flipped over and swapped side for side to effectively lower the rear without having to do a axle flip with blocks. I would never recommend using different shackle lengths because it changes the characteristics of the spring.
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I should have looked at that pic better before I left.

This is the right side forward spring bracket. Looking in from the gap between the tire and wheel well opening.

IMG_20190124_113621.jpg
 

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I should have looked at that pic better before I left.

This is the right side forward spring bracket. Looking in from the gap between the tire and wheel well opening.

IMG_20190124_113621.jpg
Doesn't look like anything can be done to lower the truck with that since it's welded to the bottom of the frame.
 

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Doesn't look like anything can be done to lower the truck with that since it's welded to the bottom of the frame.

The front suspension looks pretty straightforward. Either a custom spring or possibly use existing adjustable coilovers already being made for something else. The strut looks like a generic 3-bolt top mount with a rod or spherical lower.

Starting to think the rear will end up being a flip kit or custom leaf. There is a shop here in Atlanta that could make a new set of leafs.
 

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I e-mailed "The Suspension Specialists" (the ones that have the adjustable front end leveling kit in this forum) about a rear lowering kit, and they said " We have done some R&D on the 2019 Ranger and im pretty sure we will not be able to make a 2 or 3" rear drop kit because of how its designed."

Anyone that has looked at the rear end think a flip kit would work ? Anything in the way ?
 
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Doc

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After seeing the pic below, it rules out a simple drop shackle for the rear of the leaf spring :frown: Not sure about the front attachment point...
28fed5c8-004b-49ba-9af5-01f85719dc9b-jpeg.jpg
Want to lower with slight rake...Doc
 

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Want to lower with slight rake...Doc
Exactly. After seeing the pics on the "build-it" page, it looks level, but they are so "butt-high" in real life. If a flip kit brings it down too much, a short shackle could bring it up if needed, as long as the correct geometry is maintained.
 
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Doc

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Exactly. After seeing the pics on the "build-it" page, it looks level, but they are so "butt-high" in real life. If a flip kit brings it down too much, a short shackle could bring it up if needed, as long as the correct geometry is maintained.
10/4 !
 

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I won't be lowering mine (4x4), but I will be adding or upgrading the rear anti-sway bar. The rear sway bar on my Ram was a little hollow tube.....so I replaced it with a solid Hellwig unit. WOW !!! What a difference !! And I only had it on the "medium" setting. Best suspension mod bang for the buck !!!
Hey Mike,
Are you expecting the Ranger to need a beefier rear sway bar out of the box, or will you push the stock’s capabilities (with towing, extra loads, performance driving, etc) that you know are beyond specs?

In any case, seems like a smart upgrade.
 

Rinn69

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Hey Mike,
Are you expecting the Ranger to need a beefier rear sway bar out of the box, or will you push the stock’s capabilities (with towing, extra loads, performance driving, etc) that you know are beyond specs?

In any case, seems like a smart upgrade.
I wish the Ranger would have come with a rear sway bar, but it doesn't. I like the feel of a good solid suspension, especially going around corners...I was coming home one day, and was coming up on a somewhat blind intersection. There was a kid coming from my right and I didn't see him until the last second....I was on a highway (55 mph) and he had a stop sign. By the time I saw him, he was already skidding...trying to stop and I was about 100 ft from the collision point. I swerved quickly and avoided him. I feel if I didn't have the upgraded sway bar, I could have lost control, but the quick maneuver was easily handled. If it handles like a go-cart, I like it. Even if the ride is a little harsher.

I'm not sure what you mean about "performance driving--that you know are beyond specs"....I may do some auto-cross after upgrades to the tires and suspension. I enjoy "performance driving"....knowing how your vehicle handles in certain situations is a good thing and knowing it's limits is even better. Learning this on a closed track is the only SAFE way to do it. Am I going to try the cross-country Cannon-Ball Run ? No-- :crackup: Nothing to haul or tow now. Sold my boat and 4-wheeler (didn't use them enough, but I still have my Victory XC bagger), and may tow the occasional small trailer. The only hauling now will be my kayak and fishing stuff. I've found a sway bar kit, that would probably work, but will wait to see if an aftermarket option comes out. If I find one, I'll definitely post about it :thumbsup:
 

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I wish the Ranger would have come with a rear sway bar, but it doesn't. I like the feel of a good solid suspension, especially going around corners...I was coming home one day, and was coming up on a somewhat blind intersection. There was a kid coming from my right and I didn't see him until the last second....I was on a highway (55 mph) and he had a stop sign. By the time I saw him, he was already skidding...trying to stop and I was about 100 ft from the collision point. I swerved quickly and avoided him. I feel if I didn't have the upgraded sway bar, I could have lost control, but the quick maneuver was easily handled. If it handles like a go-cart, I like it. Even if the ride is a little harsher.

I'm not sure what you mean about "performance driving--that you know are beyond specs"....I may do some auto-cross after upgrades to the tires and suspension. I enjoy "performance driving"....knowing how your vehicle handles in certain situations is a good thing and knowing it's limits is even better. Learning this on a closed track is the only SAFE way to do it. Am I going to try the cross-country Cannon-Ball Run ? No-- :crackup: Nothing to haul or tow now. Sold my boat and 4-wheeler (didn't use them enough, but I still have my Victory XC bagger), and may tow the occasional small trailer. The only hauling now will be my kayak and fishing stuff. I've found a sway bar kit, that would probably work, but will wait to see if an aftermarket option comes out. If I find one, I'll definitely post about it :thumbsup:

Thanks for your reply, Mike. I'll be using my truck for work and play...planning on adding a bed rack system. Though a couple kayaks and bikes won't weigh that much, they could affect center of gravity — a rear sway may help. Please keep me posted on your research.
 

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Thanks for your reply, Mike. I'll be using my truck for work and play...planning on adding a bed rack system. Though a couple kayaks and bikes won't weigh that much, they could affect center of gravity — a rear sway may help. Please keep me posted on your research.
I got a guy here in live oak who will be working on lowering mine...I’ll keep you updated...if I ever get the truck from ford....
 

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I got a guy here in live oak who will be working on lowering mine...I’ll keep you updated...if I ever get the truck from ford....
@Doc Yes, please do !! Any info would be greatly appreciated Doc !!!
 

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I wish the Ranger would have come with a rear sway bar, but it doesn't. I like the feel of a good solid suspension, especially going around corners...I was coming home one day, and was coming up on a somewhat blind intersection. There was a kid coming from my right and I didn't see him until the last second....I was on a highway (55 mph) and he had a stop sign. By the time I saw him, he was already skidding...trying to stop and I was about 100 ft from the collision point. I swerved quickly and avoided him. I feel if I didn't have the upgraded sway bar, I could have lost control, but the quick maneuver was easily handled. If it handles like a go-cart, I like it. Even if the ride is a little harsher.

I'm not sure what you mean about "performance driving--that you know are beyond specs"....I may do some auto-cross after upgrades to the tires and suspension. I enjoy "performance driving"....knowing how your vehicle handles in certain situations is a good thing and knowing it's limits is even better. Learning this on a closed track is the only SAFE way to do it. Am I going to try the cross-country Cannon-Ball Run ? No-- :crackup: Nothing to haul or tow now. Sold my boat and 4-wheeler (didn't use them enough, but I still have my Victory XC bagger), and may tow the occasional small trailer. The only hauling now will be my kayak and fishing stuff. I've found a sway bar kit, that would probably work, but will wait to see if an aftermarket option comes out. If I find one, I'll definitely post about it :thumbsup:
Hellwig is going to borrow my ranger when I get it end of April for sway bar fitment front and rear, I believe they have quick disconnects to allow uninhibited flex off-road. I am hoping to also get airbags fited for towing and load leveling. We put hellwig sway bars on the fleet superduties, they corner real flat
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