Ranger Suspension, Lift Kits, Leveling Kits

[orbit8]

The reason for the split spacer is to reduce hardware. They are using only the extra space available on the threads to reattach a nut. If the spacer was taller, then they would need longer studs sticking up through the strut mount. They are going max on top and then whatever space is leftover to get to 2" they are adding to the bottom of the strut. There are many kits like this, but either way the upward travel and downward travel will be same. Neither one does more or less travel than the other. The 3" kit however adds preload to the spring. That will change ride quality more than a regular spacer will.

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[Randy2400h]

So just for my own amusement I measured from the center of the hub cap to the top of the fender with the weight of the vehicle loaded on the front suspension, then I jacked up the front end and re-measured.

It’s 2.75 inches difference.

 

[rduvall]

So just for my own amusement I measured from the center of the hub cap to the top of the fender with the weight of the vehicle loaded on the front suspension, then I jacked up the front end and re-measured.

It’s 2.75 inches difference.

How much did you jack the truck up?

 

[Randy2400h]

How much did you jack the truck up?

Until the tire lifted 1/16 inch off the ground, which was approximately 2.75 inches.

 

[rduvall]

Until the tire lifted 1/16 inch off the ground, which was approximately 2.75 inches.

I see now referring back to the post before. You were measuring how far it would drop before bottoming out.

 

[papawoitz]

I see now referring back to the post before. You were measuring how far it would drop before bottoming out.

Rough Country 2.5 level with BFG K02 275/70 R17 on the stock wheels. No rubbing and drives great.

 

[HoosierT]

The stock FX4 is sufficient for my needs, which will be 96% highway, 3% dirt roads, and 1% graded trails for camping/fishing. I just don’t want to make it terribly uncomfortable during that 1% when more down travel would keep the vehicle from rocking side-to-side like a teeter-totter when passing over rocky trails here in Colorado.

Right on, I just wanted to make sure there was an awareness on this forum. On other forums, the issues with spacers are well known but I haven’t seen any mention of that here. Fine for road travel, or “mall crawlers” as it were, as well as minimal off-roading. And yes, the stock suspension is fine for quite a lot of conditions, but the spacers are actually a downgrade in suspension compared to stock aside from bigger tires. You’re risking damage to the upper control arms and possibly other components on conditions where the stock suspension might otherwise be fine, just for the sake of running bigger tires.
Moral of the story, don’t risk breaking stuff in the backcountry. If you really want to go out, either limit trails to stock capabilities or upgrade to full suspension to match the capabilities of bigger tires.
Just my $.02, take it as you will.

 

[Randy2400h]

Until the tire lifted 1mm off the ground.

Right on, I just wanted to make sure there was an awareness on this forum. On other forums, the issues with spacers are well known but I haven’t seen any mention of that here. Fine for road travel, or “mall crawlers” as it were, as well as minimal off-roading. And yes, the stock suspension is fine for quite a lot of conditions, but the spacers are actually a downgrade in suspension compared to stock aside from bigger tires. You’re risking damage to the upper control arms and possibly other components on conditions where the stock suspension might otherwise be fine, just for the sake of running bigger tires.
Moral of the story, don’t risk breaking stuff in the backcountry. If you really want to go out, either limit trails to stock capabilities or upgrade to full suspension to match the capabilities of bigger tires.
Just my $.02, take it as you will.

I appreciate it. And it is just a matter of time before ReadyLift or someone else puts out some quality A-arms to accommodate the 2” ReadyLift leveling kit I intend to install. In the meantime I think my ball joints won’t see that much abuse. And luckily the cv shafts aren’t full-time (only spinning in 4WD) so they won’t see much wear.

 

[@Robby887]

Woolworth Motorsports built true 3” level lift with 33x12.50x17 bfg km3. 17x8.5 KMC wheels with zero offset and 4.75 back spacing.

 

[Andy]

Woolworth Motorsports built true 3” level lift with 33x12.50x17 bfg km3. 17x8.5 KMC wheels with zero offset and 4.75 back spacing.

Have you taken it over some bumps at speed to see if it rubs? What if anything did they have to remove?

 

[earsmccoy]

Have you taken it over some bumps at speed to see if it rubs? What if anything did they have to remove?

Yeah, what @Andy said. I can see the front air dams are gone but what else? Crash bars, trimming.? Personally, it looks like too much tire for my taste but I am sure that I will be in the minority as far as that goes. Nice truck!

 

[@Robby887]

Took it out full lock to lock over bumps. Only removed crash bars no other trimming. You can’t even feel the power difference with the 33’s. It’s a 1/2” taller then all other current kits on the market right now. It will easily fit a 285 with with factory crash bars and zero trimming. Plus my design allows you to gain access with a socket instead of a open end wrench and is stronger. It took me 20 min per side to install.

 

[@Robby887]

I appreciate it. And it is just a matter of time before ReadyLift or someone else puts out some quality A-arms to accommodate the 2” ReadyLift leveling kit I intend to install. In the meantime I think my ball joints won’t see that much abuse. And luckily the cv shafts aren’t full-time (only spinning in 4WD) so they won’t see much wear.

Cv axles are not vacuum actuated on the 2019 ford ranger. They spin all the time. 4x4 is engaged through the transfer case then engages the front driveline.

 

[@Robby887]

I have the Rough Country 2.5" level kit coming on Wednesday. As far as tires go, I am going with what Icon recommends, 285/70R17. The rims I am going with will be either Icon or Method with a 0 offset and a backspacing of 4.75" on an 8.5" wide wheel. That should give me about 3 inches of clearance from the spindle. Of course since the OE wheel has an offset of 55mm, that means the the outside of the wheel will stick out about 2 inches further than stock. does this sound right to you guys?

17x8.5 with zero offset and 4.75 back space with a 3” true level lift with 33x12.50 bfg km3. No trimming just crash bar delete. Perfect wheel gap and stance. Yours should look similar.

 

[Randy2400h]

Cv axles are not vacuum actuated on the 2019 ford ranger. They spin all the time. 4x4 is engaged through the transfer case then engages the front driveline.

Really? I haven’t verified that. I guess I could go take a peek at the front hubs. I had a conversation with one of the tech guys at ReadyLift about this. Specifically comparing this to the Colorado which requires dropping the whole diff because of the poor angles on the CV Shafts versus the Ranger which didn’t give them issues.

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