LIFT /LEVELING QUESTIONS

[Hurricayne]

Few q's for yall. I'm looking to raise my 2019 ranger lariat for light off roading with a truck bed camper payload that weighs 1200lbs wet. this is what I'm trying to figure out:

1. How much can I lift Betsy without making her unstable with 1200lbs in the bed?

2. If i lift the front 2" and want to keep the rake for hauling, I simply lift the back 2" too, correct?

3. What brand recommendations do yall have to keep it stable under load on highways, but lifted up for better clearance(I'm thinking 2-3 inches)- keeping the rake. Ideally 1500 us bucks or less.

4. If I lift it up 2-3" all around, do it need to drop the front diff? If the goal.is clearance, that seems a waste.

I don't want to keep oem suspension in it's too bouncy.

NOTE: I will be adding Timbrens to the rear - When I had my f150 3.5 ecoboost 6.5ft bed with a 1500lb camper, i was able to keep the oem suspension and it held the weight beautifully

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[RangerPNW]

If the camper is a constant load on the truck, you'll probably want to look into some different leaf springs (Icon, OME, Deaver) and a Bilstein setup (5100s or 6112). Can confirm that Fox 2.0's aren't good with any load... I got a Leer canopy this year and the rear shocks are not up for the task...

 

[Big Blue]

First of all, if you put 1200 lbs in the bed you have just about used up your entire payload with you and one passenger. Doesn’t leave room for any other modifications or hauling. Checkout the drivers side door sticker and see what the trucks door sticker says. Now take your 1200 lb camper off that. Take what you and your passenger weigh off what's left. Now take the weight of any other mods you made, like bumpers, side steps, sliders, winch, etc off. Is there anything left? I wouldn't think much if any. Beefing up the suspension does not change that number, as it is the GVWR minus the curb weight of the truck as manufactured.

Might need to look for a lighter camping setup.

 

[OGMix376]

Have you maybe thought about possibly getting a small trailer instead of running a camper..?
Or going for the overlanding?
$1500 is kinda a strict budget for what you’re looking for imo but I’m not super knowledgeable about a lot of products that may help you.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Few q's for yall. I'm looking to raise my 2019 ranger lariat for light off roading with a truck bed camper payload that weighs 1200lbs wet. this is what I'm trying to figure out:

1. How much can I lift Betsy without making her unstable with 1200lbs in the bed?

2. If i lift the front 2" and want to keep the rake for hauling, I simply lift the back 2" too, correct?

3. What brand recommendations do yall have to keep it stable under load on highways, but lifted up for better clearance(I'm thinking 2-3 inches)- keeping the rake. Ideally 1500 us bucks or less.

4. If I lift it up 2-3" all around, do it need to drop the front diff? If the goal.is clearance, that seems a waste.

I don't want to keep oem suspension in it's too bouncy.

1. Sounds like you need the OME HD kit with the HD rears (1200# leaf springs). Dobinson offers a kit too, but I don't know anyone who uses it.

2. The OME kit will keep your rake. The kit is designed to lift the whole truck, not just level the front.

3. I have the OME HD kit with the 2.2" leaf springs. I do not run a front sway bar and its perfectly stable at 75 mph.

4. I am lifted 3" in the front. I have UCAs but did not do the diff drop. I wheel my truck hard and have not had any issues.


Link to the OME kit.


I know it sounds like I am hard-selling the OME kit, but I do believe it will do what you need. There are better options, but they blow your budget out of the water (think 2-3x your budget). I've been on the OME kit for 2 years and I am really happy. I do want to jump up to a 2.5 (shock diameter) suspension, but that comes with a large cost and the only real benefit is adjustability.

 

[Frenchy]

I have questions that need to be answered.

First, is your truck a Crew Cab or King Cab? If it is a Crew Cab, I would highly advise you not to put that much weight in the bed. Doing such can make the Chassis bend and/or break.

Second, what is the overall goal? Are you planning to do Touring/Overlanding? Are you the weekend warrior?

Things to keep in mind.

If you want to tow, you need to not have the truck loaded a bunch. If it is fully loaded or heavily loaded, you will chance causing problems to the vehicle while towing.

For lifting the truck, you can go around 2-2.5 inches without having to drop the diff. There are plenty of kits available.

For suspension, I would recommend looking at Dobinsons if you plan to do the Touring/Overlanding. They have parts designed to carry a nice load while keeping the vehicle comfortable both on the Street and OffRoad.

 

[QuickSilver]

1. Sounds like you need the OME HD kit with the HD rears (1200# leaf springs). Dobinson offers a kit too, but I don't know anyone who uses it.

2. The OME kit will keep your rake. The kit is designed to lift the whole truck, not just level the front.

3. I have the OME HD kit with the 2.2" leaf springs. I do not run a front sway bar and its perfectly stable at 75 mph.

4. I am lifted 3" in the front. I have UCAs but did not do the diff drop. I wheel my truck hard and have not had any issues.


Link to the OME kit.


I know it sounds like I am hard-selling the OME kit, but I do believe it will do what you need. There are better options, but they blow your budget out of the water (think 2-3x your budget). I've been on the OME kit for 2 years and I am really happy. I do want to jump up to a 2.5 (shock diameter) suspension, but that comes with a large cost and the only real benefit is adjustability.

good advice!
I think upgrading the leaf springs is a must, I haven’t yet and the back of my truck sags a bit. It will be my next improvement.

otherwise I am pretty happy with bilstein 6112 and 5160’s.

other then suspension, depending on off-roading, I find the vulnerable points on these trucks are your break over angle and departure. I would suggest rock sliders, and either getting the back up a bit more or getting a high clearance rear bumper.

 

[Grandaccess]

cheap ass Rough country lift, I have had 1600 in the bed, I didnt think anything of it ... and was getting 17.5 mpg too
I had 14 110lbs Telco batteries since I was much lower center of gravity than you will be it was stable and didnt feel unsafe LOL my brain also has a lower center of safe .....

 

[QuickSilver]

cheap ass Rough country lift, I have had 1600 in the bed, I didnt think anything of it ... and was getting 17.5 mpg too
I had 14 110lbs Telco batteries since I was much lower center of gravity than you will be it was stable and didnt feel unsafe LOL my brain also has a lower center of safe .....

That’s seems like a lot of hassle to make your own cyber truck LOL

 

[Grandaccess]

That’s seems like a lot of hassle to make your own cyber truck LOL

Solar, I just want to lower my Ele bill these are AGM 145 amp hour each, 2 of them will be slated for my Ham Radio gear, now I need a few more solar panels
I am in NY so Ele bills are more than a truck payment I average $400+ gas/ele

 

[CTYankee]

In addition to lift height, I'd also pay attention to how the center of gravity is shifting.

I don't know anything about the style of camper you have, but consider height and width in addition to weight, then factor in the lift height. If the truck is tilted avoiding deep ruts, where is the rollover point located now?

If it's a cab height camper, it's probably not an issue. If it's the style that extends over the cab roof, it may be a more relevant consideration.

 

[Hurricayne]

First of all, if you put 1200 lbs in the bed you have just about used up your entire payload with you and one passenger. Doesn’t leave room for any other modifications or hauling. Checkout the drivers side door sticker and see what the trucks door sticker says. Now take your 1200 lb camper off that. Take what you and your passenger weigh off what's left. Now take the weight of any other mods you made, like bumpers, side steps, sliders, winch, etc off. Is there anything left? I wouldn't think much if any. Beefing up the suspension does not change that number, as it is the GVWR minus the curb weight of the truck as manufactured.

Might need to look for a lighter camping setup.

Yeah - The goal is 1200lbs WET with both me and my partner. So the camper will weight about 800 dry. I wont be towing anything - I have the 6ft be and it can handle about 1800 lbs, so i should be good there, I just want a bit of a lift without sacrificing payload or stability.

 

[Hurricayne]

cheap ass Rough country lift, I have had 1600 in the bed, I didnt think anything of it ... and was getting 17.5 mpg too
I had 14 110lbs Telco batteries since I was much lower center of gravity than you will be it was stable and didnt feel unsafe LOL my brain also has a lower center of safe .....

Dude thats awesome. Which kit is it? Coilovers or blocks? haha

 

[Hurricayne]

good advice!
I think upgrading the leaf springs is a must, I haven’t yet and the back of my truck sags a bit. It will be my next improvement.

otherwise I am pretty happy with bilstein 6112 and 5160’s.

other then suspension, depending on off-roading, I find the vulnerable points on these trucks are your break over angle and departure. I would suggest rock sliders, and either getting the back up a bit more or getting a high clearance rear bumper.

Yeah I am leaning toward this option

I have questions that need to be answered.

First, is your truck a Crew Cab or King Cab? If it is a Crew Cab, I would highly advise you not to put that much weight in the bed. Doing such can make the Chassis bend and/or break.

Second, what is the overall goal? Are you planning to do Touring/Overlanding? Are you the weekend warrior?

Things to keep in mind.

If you want to tow, you need to not have the truck loaded a bunch. If it is fully loaded or heavily loaded, you will chance causing problems to the vehicle while towing.

For lifting the truck, you can go around 2-2.5 inches without having to drop the diff. There are plenty of kits available.

For suspension, I would recommend looking at Dobinsons if you plan to do the Touring/Overlanding. They have parts designed to carry a nice load while keeping the vehicle comfortable both on the Street and OffRoad.

ANSWERS:

Its a Supercab with 6ft bed 4x4 - accoridng to my math, 1200 wet with me and my partner, gear, etc stays within payload for this model

I am a weekend warrior. I also build overlanding/camper vehicles as a backup if I lose my job and become homeless. With a nice setup, you are never homeless. I do plan on taking it on long road trips, off roading (not rock crawling though)

not looking to tow

 

[Hurricayne]

1. Sounds like you need the OME HD kit with the HD rears (1200# leaf springs). Dobinson offers a kit too, but I don't know anyone who uses it.

2. The OME kit will keep your rake. The kit is designed to lift the whole truck, not just level the front.

3. I have the OME HD kit with the 2.2" leaf springs. I do not run a front sway bar and its perfectly stable at 75 mph.

4. I am lifted 3" in the front. I have UCAs but did not do the diff drop. I wheel my truck hard and have not had any issues.


Link to the OME kit.


I know it sounds like I am hard-selling the OME kit, but I do believe it will do what you need. There are better options, but they blow your budget out of the water (think 2-3x your budget). I've been on the OME kit for 2 years and I am really happy. I do want to jump up to a 2.5 (shock diameter) suspension, but that comes with a large cost and the only real benefit is adjustability.

This is perfect for what I am looking for - I wish the front coil overs came assembled. Those widowmaker spring compression tools freak me out.

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