Why the level? Why the rake?

[Hickesy]

Curious to why you say "it's not as pronounced on 2021 than previous years",
have you read something about a running production change or seen the different years side by side as a comparo? I hope your right, I'm not towing or hauling excessive weight and am not to much of a fan of the butt high rear end.

I have no evidence to back up my theory other than looking at pictures and knowing that manufacturers do make tweaks based on first runs. But I'm generally full of BS so take it with a pinch of salt!

Sponsored

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Some people don't want to remove the crashbars. I know the 255/80 17s I'll be installing shortly require clearance to fit. I test fit one and it rubs at full compression.

I also know that the "biggest tires, no lift" thread says with out crash bar removal 265/70r17 @ 31.5" is the biggest that will fit.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/biggest-tires-no-lift.2458/
Beyond that, I'll defer to your expertise.

Exactly, crash bars are the problem not vertical lift. The lift is not needed for all 33s, but crash bars adjustment removal is.

 

[onobeka]

What is the purpose of those crash bars, especially at the rear? I see a lot of posts about those. The rest of the ranger world has absolutely no such devices, and plastic bumpers, yet 5* NCAP. Are they really crash bars, with this purpose in mind or just forum called “crash bars”? I doubt that piece of slim square tubing will aid much in a real situation with a front collision. They seem more suited for a lateral impact.

 

[phxpaul]

Why are you leveling? Is it purely for cosmetic reasons or is there a performance benefit?

While we’re at it, why is there such a pronounced raked to begin with? What is Ford’s reasoning behind it? Tow capacity?

The Colorado has a rake to it as well. When I first saw the Colorado, I said it looks like a cat with its rump up in the air

 

[D Fresh]

What is the purpose of those crash bars, especially at the rear? I see a lot of posts about those. The rest of the ranger world has absolutely no such devices, and plastic bumpers, yet 5* NCAP. Are they really crash bars, with this purpose in mind or just forum called “crash bars”? I doubt that piece of slim square tubing will aid much in a real situation with a front collision. They seem more suited for a lateral impact.

Yes, they are "crash bars" they are designed to reduce footwell intrusion in a front end collision. This is not supposition, it's a well known thing on both the Rangers and F-150s.

Lateral impact? They'd do nothing in a lateral impact except punch 2 square holes into something.

 

[janitorjim]

I have no evidence to back up my theory other than looking at pictures and knowing that manufacturers do make tweaks based on first runs. But I'm generally full of BS so take it with a pinch of salt!

that is literally the whole internet

 

[D Fresh]

Exactly, crash bars are the problem not vertical lift. The lift is not needed for all 33s, but crash bars adjustment removal is.

And barring removal of the problem, the only way to clear the crashbars is to go vertical.

Again, some people don't want to remove them. If you're cool with the possibility of greater injury in the event of an accident that's great. I am not. Despite being an asshole, I have a conscience. My family rides in and drives my truck. If I were the only person ever in it, maybe.

Not to mention you're opening yourself up to financial liability removing them as well.

 

[AzScorpion]

Not to mention you're opening yourself up to financial liability removing them as well.

Asking a serious question, are you sure about this? Reason I ask is I see this brought up all the time on here and B6G without any proof. If that were true then how/why does Ford get away from someone suing them on the Bronco with the Sasquatch package as it comes without crash bars? IIRC the Raptor doesn't have them either.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

And barring removal of the problem, the only way to clear the crashbars is to go vertical.

Again, some people don't want to remove them. If you're cool with the possibility of greater injury in the event of an accident that's great. I am not. Despite being an asshole, I have a conscience. My family rides in and drives my truck. If I were the only person ever in it, maybe.

Not to mention you're opening yourself up to financial liability removing them as well.

So once again I will concede in theory that it is possible, but in most regards it's a non-issue. You can argue down to the 1% who want the tallest tires, without modding anything else, but again for most people, non issue and leveling isn't done for clearance.

How high of a level do you have to do to get crash bars above the tires?

 

[D Fresh]

Asking a serious question, are you sure about this? Reason I ask is I see this brought up all the time on here and B6G without any proof. If that were true then how/why does Ford get away from someone suing them on the Bronco with the Sasquatch package as it comes without crash bars? IIRC the Raptor doesn't have them either.

You're right, I should have said possibly.

Proof?

No. I'm just a milkman. Not a lawyer.

I understand that the F-150 Raptors, and that apparently Squatched Broncos don't have them. But that doesn't change the fact that they are a safety device provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

I'd imagine a personal injury attorney would have a good time with that if it were known to them.

Again, just a milkman, but I make a living on my feet. Paying my salary until retirement alone would exceed most people's coverage and wipe them out.

Just something to consider if thinking about removing them. Of course each person can and should do what they want. But mine will stay.

 

[D Fresh]

So once again I will concede in theory that it is possible, but in most regards it's a non-issue. You can argue down to the 1% who want the tallest tires, without modding anything else, but again for most people, non issue and leveling isn't done for clearance.

How high of a level do you have to do to get crash bars above the tires?

I don't have a pulse on "most people's" requirements. I do have one on mine though. Again, I'll defer to your judgment on that.

Depends on tire size right? I'll be installing 255/80 17 Coopers shortly. My test fit on stock suspension and wheels was similar to user Maltese's results in the "biggest tires no lift" thread.

Ok, so at full lock there is some rub under max compression, but I'll drag out the sawzall if I need it. Drives well over all

Doesn't need much. Less than an inch would do probably do it.

 

[AzScorpion]

You're right, I should have said possibly.

Proof?

No. I'm just a milkman. Not a lawyer.

I understand that the F-150 Raptors, and that apparently Squatched Broncos don't have them. But that doesn't change the fact that they are a safety device provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

I'd imagine a personal injury attorney would have a good time with that if it were known to them.

Again, just a milkman, but I make a living on my feet. Paying my salary until retirement alone would exceed most people's coverage and wipe them out.

Just something to consider if thinking about removing them. Of course each person can and should do what they want. But mine will stay.

Don't get me wrong I agree I just see this tossed around and didn't know if you actually seen an article or something stating this. This was one reason I only went up one size (32's) when replacing my tires. I didn't want to cut, remove and/or replace the crash bars and wanted to keep it simple.

Almost all lawyers (no offense to any member who are lawyers ) are blood sucking leaches so even the simplest mod will give them something to try and sue you for.

 

[D Fresh]

Don't get me wrong I agree I just see this tossed around and didn't know if you actually seen an article or something stating this. This was one reason I only went up one size (32's) when replacing my tires. I didn't want to cut, remove and/or replace the crash bars and wanted to keep it simple.

Almost all lawyers (no offense to any member who are lawyers ) are blood sucking leaches so even the simplest mod will give them something to try and sue you for.

Yep, that's why I'm staying skinny at 255.

And that's why I try to avoid them.

 

[derek costello]

Why are you leveling? Is it purely for cosmetic reasons or is there a performance benefit?

While we’re at it, why is there such a pronounced raked to begin with? What is Ford’s reasoning behind it? Tow capacity?

I lowered my 2021 4whl dr. xlt ranger 5" at rear and 2 3/4" at the front
I can now drive it like a car (fast cornering), I can get in and out with out a step ladder or running boards and reach in and work off the tail gate !
I used Belltech spring flip kit for the rear and it works well, BUT don't use Belltech for the front, it is poorly designed and leaves 3/4" slop in the spring mount, Belltech said this doesn't matter, butt I know of NO vehicles
that have designed slop in their springs from the factory....
If you want to lower the front as well use adjustable coil/over springs
that are made to fit like the factory setup, from another manufacture.

 

[Chris M]

I levelled purely to get the benefit of a better ride when I installed the Ford Performance Two-Inch Leveling Kit. My interest was in improving the suspension, not lifting the front up. However, afterwards, I noticed that I enjoyed the view from the higher position of the cabin, the better clearance up front, and, yeah, the overall appearance.

Same for me.

Sponsored