Navigating the many leveling kit options

[CharlieRanger]

Hello everyone!
Just picked up a 2020 XLT 4x4 and I’m looking to upgrade to some A/T tires and therefore a leveling kit to fit them. The area I ride with my group is mountainous with gravel/dirt roads and technical spots with very muddy terrain or rocks from 1-2 feet big. I’ve also had it where the roads we’re on are washed out and I’m rolling on two wheels to get out.

All of that said, would stiffer suspension be better in this scenario? Would it help to get over/around some of the larger rocks? Also, with the Bilstein 5100s, are they truly any improvement if you still have the factory springs around them?

Thanks in advance!

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[9zero1790]

i would skip any spacer type setups and do the bilstiens. they make a nice difference, give a little more approach angle, more controlled feel and all around just a better shock and strut than the stock ones and many of the aftermarket ones as well. so they will help in driving off and on road. a good set of tires will also make a nice improvement.

 

[Langwilliams]

I have the bilsteins an they are great for what I do but for what you're talking about I'd go with either the a fox coil over kit or the Eibach with 3" lift spring/strut combo. Personally I didn't want to go over 2" of lift to keep the angle of the half shafts closer to stock. If you go with the eibach 3" kit you may want upper control arms to help alignment. Like 9Zero said forget any spacer type level. At a minimum you want either Eibach or Bilstein level struts that reuse your springs or a coil over or the eibach/spring combo.

 

[Synfulz]

i would skip any spacer type setups and do the bilstiens. they make a nice difference, give a little more approach angle, more controlled feel and all around just a better shock and strut than the stock ones and many of the aftermarket ones as well. so they will help in driving off and on road. a good set of tires will also make a nice improvement.

But for example wherein I just wanted to level for stance, and only street/highway drive. I think spacers were good for my needs. Also cost effective for the results I wanted. Now if I had a 4wd and was doing serious offloading then I would opt for a proper setup.

 

[9zero1790]

I have heard a lot of good things about a few other options but the cost vs. gain to me is not worth it. it is very hard to beat bilstien not only for the cost but the quality. its worth noting that if you get one of the packages that come with springs, bilstein and eibach both use the same spring lol. So i think either brand is going to be good. they stand behind stuff and are not gonna flop any time soon. Honestly the new rangers come stock as pretty darn capable right off the assembly line. my five g ranger stock with better tires is a more competent off road truck than my old yj jeep ever was in basically every way except for when it comes to dimensions, weight or part selection. you may even decided to put on some bigger better tires first and try it out ahead of changing any parts. Only reason I changed anything was i wanted a more confident controlled feeling for the rear of the truck and i carry around a lot of extra stuff so I wanted a set up tougher than stock. Id already broken one of the factory shocks anyway lol.

 

[9zero1790]

But for example wherein I just wanted to level for stance, and only street/highway drive. I think spacers were good for my needs. Also cost effective for the results I wanted. Now if I had a 4wd and was doing serious offloading then I would opt for a proper setup.

yes if one just wants the stance and look spacers are not a bad way to go.

 

[BettaRanga]

I’m very pleased with Bilstein 5100s all around - front is set to 1.8.

However, after doing the work with a friend including spring compression, I would opt for pre-assembled coilovers in the front if I were to do it again. I did save a good chunk of money though. $200 vs $850+

 

[Mellow]

I did the rear fox 2.0 shocks pretty early in ownership, and just last week did the front coilovers and really glad I did. I don't 4wheel or tow but just the better ride quality is worth it to me not to mention it just looks meaner.

then I gave it sideburns:

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Since you mentioned you have an area you ride with your group, it sounds like you’ll be off-road regularly. Upgrading you tires and suspension is a good idea.

You’ll benefit from having something like Eibachs, Bilsteins, Fox Performance, or King on all four corners. You could get away with a levelling spacer kit to allow for bigger tires but it won’t improve ride characteristics the way a suspension upgrade will.

 

[jflogerzi]

On a budget go with blisten 5100s all around with BSD shackles in the rear.

Have some more money go with eibach 2.0 setup cause you can adjust the height in the future with a spanner wrench

 

[Frenchy]

For what you are planning to do I suggest not getting a leveling kit amd going with a lift kit. Why? Simply for the fact you will lift the entire vehicle and get more travel out of the front and rear(as long as you dont do a spacer/block lift). I ran the Old Man EMU lift with 32 and 33 inch tires. With the 33 inch tires the truck felt right and was able to go just about anywhere. With that said it's your call but thats my suggestion.

 

[CharlieRanger]

For what you are planning to do I suggest not getting a leveling kit amd going with a lift kit. Why? Simply for the fact you will lift the entire vehicle and get more travel out of the front and rear(as long as you dont do a spacer/block lift). I ran the Old Man EMU lift with 32 and 33 inch tires. With the 33 inch tires the truck felt right and was able to go just about anywhere. With that said it's your call but thats my suggestion.

I'm not surprised to see you here suggesting OME ?. I do like the idea of a rear lift as well. My only concern with that setup at the moment is the price point as I would have to have someone else install them for me (apartment dweller).

 

[CharlieRanger]

For what you are planning to do I suggest not getting a leveling kit amd going with a lift kit. Why? Simply for the fact you will lift the entire vehicle and get more travel out of the front and rear(as long as you dont do a spacer/block lift). I ran the Old Man EMU lift with 32 and 33 inch tires. With the 33 inch tires the truck felt right and was able to go just about anywhere. With that said it's your call but thats my suggestion.

Did you have to upgrade the UCAs after you put on the OME kit?

 

[Frenchy]

Did you have to upgrade the UCAs after you put on the OME kit?

Nope

 

[daczone]

Finally found the time to Level my Ranger. It wasn't terribly hard to do but I wouldn't do it without a spring compressor, I had to use one to get my drivers side shock out.

Before Front @ 35-1/2inches to the fender. Rear 37-7/8 (After front is now 37-7/8 which matches the rear)

Before (Measured my Toe with plates)

After

Before:

After

Tried to get both sides.

After:

It's about 1" off on the Toe. So it needs an alignment.


It very subtle but I can tell the difference.

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