Help Me Decide - Level/Tires

[BobLee338]

New to the community but have been lurking for a few months learning. I recently purchased a 2020 Ranger FX4 that I freaking love! I'm wanting to do some things to make it my own. The first is to fix the horrible nose dive with a leveling kit. I've narrowed it down to either the BDS 2" Kit w/NX2 Shocks on the rear or Bilstein 5100's all the way around set at 1.8" up front. I put 5100's on a Tacoma I had a few years ago and liked them but always thought they were a little stiffer than they needed to be (those were set all the way up at 2.5"). Now, the 2nd part of the equation. I also want to run my stock 17" sport wheels with 1" spacers and either 275/70-17 or 285/70-17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's. (Planning to pickup the ReadyLift intrusion beams) I would rather run the 285's because they look a lot better but I want to make sure I get the front up enough to handle it without any major trimming. I've considered the 275/70's to help with some MPG's and rubbing but I'm thinking they might still look too small.

To those of you that have been down this path and have experience, what's my best move here? I've searched and read almost every thread that's related but can't decide which way to go. Anybody running the BDS 2" and either of the tire sizes mentioned, can you post some pics of your ride? Much appreciated!!

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[Msfitoy]

Welcome! I went with 285/70-17 Wildpeak first set...then Cooper then General...all good...Eiback Prolift kit...still all good..

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/project-msfitoy-v3-0.2804/page-7

 

[RangerPNW]

I would go bilstein over the BDS kit any day, spacer lifts aren't going to do anything to help your ride. Personally I'd suggest saving up a bit and getting a 2.0 kit like the Fox 2.0 or the Eibach pro truck kit with the rear reservoirs.

I've got just 265/70/17 duratracs on my rig with the 2.0's, and sometimes they do look small, and other times they look just right. I do a good bit of highway driving so for me fuel economy does play a larger factor than for others.

 

[BobLee338]

Welcome! I went with 285/70-17 Wildpeak first set...then Cooper then General...all good...Eiback Prolift kit...still all good..

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/project-msfitoy-v3-0.2804/page-7

I have admired your build many, many times. Nice truck!!

 

[BobLee338]

I would go bilstein over the BDS kit any day, spacer lifts aren't going to do anything to help your ride. Personally I'd suggest saving up a bit and getting a 2.0 kit like the Fox 2.0 or the Eibach pro truck kit with the rear reservoirs.

I've got just 265/70/17 duratracs on my rig with the 2.0's, and sometimes they do look small, and other times they look just right. I do a good bit of highway driving so for me fuel economy does play a larger factor than for others.

I tend to agree on the Bilstein over BDS but for some reason can't commit. I looked at the Fox 2.0 to begin with and like that, but it's more than I'm wanting to spend on suspension since I'm mostly on the street. Maybe I'll give the Eibach's another look too.

With your tire size, did you notice any difference in fuel economy?

 

[RangerPNW]

I tend to agree on the Bilstein over BDS but for some reason can't commit. I looked at the Fox 2.0 to begin with and like that, but it's more than I'm wanting to spend on suspension since I'm mostly on the street. Maybe I'll give the Eibach's another look too.

With your tire size, did you notice any difference in fuel economy?

If the ride on the bilsteins tends to be too stiff for you, then I think the Fox would be right up your alley. I ended up going the route of replacing the rears first because of the bouncing of the rear ended up making me nauseous.

Economy wise, I might have dropped 1 mpg or so, but where I live now it very much depends how and where I drive. Lots of hills near me going 80 on the highway, so i'm happy to see around 20? But cruising on regular 60 mph roads its not difficult to hit 22+. Just ordered the Ford Performance tune, so hoping that bumps my mpg's back up a bit.

Thing about different tires is its the weight of them that kills your economy. My duratracs are standard load rated, so they're quite a bit lighter than a proper LT tire. Especially if you're primarily on the street, don't get an LT tire. The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT is a pretty light tire in the 265/70 or 285/70 range, and I've heard very good things about them, its the tire i'm likely going with next.

 

[BobLee338]

So, I stumbled into a deal on the Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1 lift kit. Tire Rack is running a special right now and has that kit for $506!! So, my thinking is get that kit but use my stock springs on the 2.25" setting since 3" gets into the "might need UCAs" territory. Then, I might try to sell the Eibach coils on here or eBay to get a few bucks back. I appreciate you guys helping a Ranger newb out!

 

[Bob902]

So, I stumbled into a deal on the Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1 lift kit. Tire Rack is running a special right now and has that kit for $506!! So, my thinking is get that kit but use my stock springs on the 2.25" setting since 3" gets into the "might need UCAs" territory. Then, I might try to sell the Eibach coils on here or eBay to get a few bucks back. I appreciate you guys helping a Ranger newb out!

That's a great price. I have the Eibach pro front coilovers and really like them. I like that I can adjust the height with them on the truck. Mine are set at about one inch of height.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I’m running 275/70R17 General Grabbers on +15mm offset wheels with Fox Performance set at 2” and ReadyLIFT anti-intrusion beams.

There are more pics in my Showcase with and without the fender flares but here’s one as requested…

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

So, I stumbled into a deal on the Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1 lift kit. Tire Rack is running a special right now and has that kit for $506!! So, my thinking is get that kit but use my stock springs on the 2.25" setting since 3" gets into the "might need UCAs" territory. Then, I might try to sell the Eibach coils on here or eBay to get a few bucks back. I appreciate you guys helping a Ranger newb out!

2.25” sounds like a good height. I had the 2-1/2” RC level kit and with my fibreglass topper, it was a touch nose high. When I was loaded up, it squatted a bit too much. When I switched to FOX Performance set at 2”, it levelled out nicely. The ride is much better as well.

I’ve never had to trim with this setup but I was very close to rubbing with OEM crash bars when the 2-1/2” level kit was in. Those 1” spacers you‘re considering are almost the same as running a +15mm offset wheel, so without those aftermarket anti-intrusion beams, you’ll be close with 275s and you just might rub with 285s. Install the ReadyLIFTs.

285s only give you 1/4” extra sidewall all the way around so I’m not sure you’ll notice any real difference between them and 275s. If only one of them is available or on sale, go with it.

 

[BobLee338]

I’m running 275/70R17 General Grabbers on +15mm offset wheels with Fox Performance set at 2” and ReadyLIFT anti-intrusion beams.

There are more pics in my Showcase with and without the fender flares but here’s one as requested…

Thanks for the pic of your setup! That’s almost exactly the look I’m hoping to get by doing all this. Your truck looks perfect!
I hear what you’re saying on the 275 vs 285 size too. Spec wise the 285’s don’t seem that much bigger but for some reason in pictures they look like they fill the wheel wells up alot more.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Thanks for the pic of your setup! That’s almost exactly the look I’m hoping to get by doing all this. Your truck looks perfect!
I hear what you’re saying on the 275 vs 285 size too. Spec wise the 285’s don’t seem that much bigger but for some reason in pictures they look like they fill the wheel wells up alot more.

I don’t know about perfect, but thanks very much for the compliment. As I mentioned, +15mm offset is almost like having a 1” spacer on OEM wheels. There will be a bit of poke but not too much. Mostly sidewall and only a bit of tread.

Have fun figuring it all out and post some pics when you’re done.

 

[Frenchy]

Nothing wrong with going to Bilstein shocks. If you do not go all the way up on the spring height setting you should be ok on comfort. As for the tires I say leave the spacers out of it and go for the 275/70-17. Do that on the factory wheels and you should be ok. I had 285/70-17 Firestone Destination XT's on the Factory Sport wheels with no spacers and the Old Man EMU lift. It was at full lock that I rubbed the tires on the chassis. Other then that it was all good

 

[Frenchy]

Here is my old 2019 that I had. This is with the Firestone Destination XT's and the Old Man EMU Lift.

 

[Fx4ranger2019Larait]

To those of you that have been down this path and have experience, what's my best move here? I've searched and read almost every thread that's related but can't decide which way to go. Anybody running the BDS 2" and either of the tire sizes mentioned, can you post some pics of your ride? Much appreciated!!
[/QUOTE]

Not running BDS 2” but kind of a custom set up w/5100.

1. I went 5100 all 4 corners but up front went w/stock setting & paired them with Eibach springs. Giving me roughly 3” lift with full stroke on shock for a little smoother ride. I did have to pay a shop to but springs on. Also added icon UCA at this time. Ride quality improved 100%

2. Icon rebound wheel w/ 0 offset

3 KO2 AT 285/70/17 rated E heavy AF should have went with P tires. I took a major hit on MPG down to 14.2 loaded plus RTT. Recently took off RTT might see some improvements. With full size spare it will fit it spare tire location. Also added icon leaf option 3 with icon bump stops.

Added tremor fender flares to help with tire poke w/0 offset.

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