Lifting my ranger...
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Lifting my ranger...
I want to lift my 99 ford ranger 4" ... i am not really a car guy, all i know how to do is the basic-intermediate kind of things, ya know. Does anyone have any tips about how I should go about doing this ? How much it should be ? What kind of lift I should get ? ... I might be crazy but I think I heard that Fabtech lifts are pretty good... though I would like to hear from experience. Thanks 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Vancouver WA
Lifting my ranger...
I'm assuming you have a 4X4. After a quick scan through some ads in a four wheeler magazine, you're probably looking at around $1200 - $1300 for a good 4" suspension lift. That of course doesn't include installation.
Beer Fridge Finder
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Savannah, GA
Lifting my ranger...
If your skills are only "intermediate" you may have a tough time installing the lift. It is pretty complicated. You do need some special tools - you are going to have to remove your torsion bars, etc. It can be done, it's just a LOT of work.
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Lifting my ranger...
If you're not really a car guy I would recommend haveing a professional install it. it will cost about $500 to have it installed, but its worth it when its done correctly. Torsion bars aren't the only obsticle you'll run into. You pretty much have to strip all of the suspension off the truck. If you're looking at fabtech then you must have a 2WD since they do not make a lift for the '99 4WD ranger. Fabtech is a pretty good lift, Depending on what you plan on using it for (actual off-road, or just looks) it can be pretty expensive. Whatever you do, stay away from Skyjacker, they're lifts don't actually fit the trucks they sell them for.
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Lifting my ranger...
Yea it is a 2WD. I had a hard time finding many 4x4 Rangers, and if my truck had that it would be ideal. But that's all it was missing and the price was very good.
As for the lift, I wouldnt install it myself as I am not experienced with that kind of stuff. My two options are let my friends help me lift it, or take it to a professional place and have them do it. I'm just trying to find out some information about what type of lifts. I didn't know Fabtech only made lifts for 2WD, but that's fine considering its a 2WD truck.
As I found out when I got stuck in the mud the other day, 2WD rangers have the wheel-slip thing where only one wheel will turn if the other is stuck too bad. Someone mentioned to me that you can help that by changing it so both tires spin no matter what... something about axle differential. Once again - not a car guy, heh.
Anyways... atleast it's the 4.0L version, which pretty much sold me and made up for the fact that it wasnt a 4x4 (sniff sniff). Also, anyone else's ranger make really loud power steering sounds when you turn the wheel while you aren't moving or are moving very slowly?
-Revv
As for the lift, I wouldnt install it myself as I am not experienced with that kind of stuff. My two options are let my friends help me lift it, or take it to a professional place and have them do it. I'm just trying to find out some information about what type of lifts. I didn't know Fabtech only made lifts for 2WD, but that's fine considering its a 2WD truck.
As I found out when I got stuck in the mud the other day, 2WD rangers have the wheel-slip thing where only one wheel will turn if the other is stuck too bad. Someone mentioned to me that you can help that by changing it so both tires spin no matter what... something about axle differential. Once again - not a car guy, heh.
Anyways... atleast it's the 4.0L version, which pretty much sold me and made up for the fact that it wasnt a 4x4 (sniff sniff). Also, anyone else's ranger make really loud power steering sounds when you turn the wheel while you aren't moving or are moving very slowly?
-Revv
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Lifting my ranger...
Don't worry about the 4x4 part. I own a 2wd and I pull the guys with 4wd out of the sand all the time. There are advantages to having 2wd. Less weight, less parts to fix and so on. If you were to get a limited slip or a posi rear end you would be able to go most places that a 4wd can go, plus it would fix the one wheel spinning problem.
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Lifting my ranger...
Yea that's what I was thinking of I had just forgotten the words. The posi- is what I'm gonna go for cuz turning at 4x2 into a 4x4 takes a lot of work, parts, and cash. And as you said then there's a lot more weight and a lot more parts to worry about having to fix and stuff. I'm assuming you have a posi- on your ranger? It sounds like you are very happy with it ... how much did it run you to make it like that? Or did it come with it?
-Revv
... how much did it run you to make it like that? Or did it come with it?-Revv
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Lifting my ranger...
actually I don't have posi on my ranger. I have an open differential just like you. and it still does great out on the sand.
However I do have 31x10.50 tires that I deflate when I'm out on the sand. and that really helps
However I do have 31x10.50 tires that I deflate when I'm out on the sand. and that really helps
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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Lifting my ranger...
There aren't any 4" suspension lifts for the 99 2wd. The only kits available are 2.5, 3.0, and 5.5.
www.fabtechmotorsports.com
www.camburg.com
http://www.hnmmotorsports.com
www.explorerprocomp.com
www.fabtechmotorsports.com
www.camburg.com
http://www.hnmmotorsports.com
www.explorerprocomp.com
Originally posted by Revv
I want to lift my 99 ford ranger 4" ... i am not really a car guy, all i know how to do is the basic-intermediate kind of things, ya know. Does anyone have any tips about how I should go about doing this ? How much it should be ? What kind of lift I should get ? ... I might be crazy but I think I heard that Fabtech lifts are pretty good... though I would like to hear from experience. Thanks
I want to lift my 99 ford ranger 4" ... i am not really a car guy, all i know how to do is the basic-intermediate kind of things, ya know. Does anyone have any tips about how I should go about doing this ? How much it should be ? What kind of lift I should get ? ... I might be crazy but I think I heard that Fabtech lifts are pretty good... though I would like to hear from experience. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
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From: northeastern ohio
Lifting my ranger...
Ford rangers do have a loud Power steering unit. I think mine is loud and its a 2002 with 10000 miles on it.
If you want 4x4 like performance offroad, I would go with a locker, rather than a posi. The ultimate would be one of the new electric lockers that are a gear type limited slip then lock with the push of a button. I'm not sure which ones fit the ford 8.8(28 spline).
You might run some searches over at www.offroadrangers.com for alot of info on lockers etc. The topic has been discussed about 100010101 times there.
Rand
If you want 4x4 like performance offroad, I would go with a locker, rather than a posi. The ultimate would be one of the new electric lockers that are a gear type limited slip then lock with the push of a button. I'm not sure which ones fit the ford 8.8(28 spline).
You might run some searches over at www.offroadrangers.com for alot of info on lockers etc. The topic has been discussed about 100010101 times there.
Rand
Beer Fridge Finder
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Savannah, GA
Lifting my ranger...
A Detroil Locker is going to be better for that 2wd Ranger than posi or limited slip if you are planning on going off road with it. About $500 installed but you'll never have the "1-wheel-drive" issue again!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central OH
Lifting my ranger...
You could check out the Powertrax No-Slip. I've got that installed on my 4x4, but this past winter I didn't need it much. It works awesome, and installed in 2 hrs by myself. Don't have to be too mech inclined, you and your buddies could probably handle this install.
Matt
Matt
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Lifting my ranger...
Rear locker, eh? Heh, I've never really heard of those. Atleast the posi and limited slip sounded familiar to me. But I was lookin for lockers and stuff and found what I think is what ya guys are talking about, not completely sure though.
http://www.drivetrainsuperstores.com...fo.asp?axle=59
It says... REAR - FORD 8.8" w/ 4.0L Motor ONLY! - FORD CORP 8.8" REAR AXLE - 28 SPLINE ... but I don't really know what that means. Just know my engine is the 4.0L version so I clicked it.
http://www.drivetrainsuperstores.com...fo.asp?axle=59
It says... REAR - FORD 8.8" w/ 4.0L Motor ONLY! - FORD CORP 8.8" REAR AXLE - 28 SPLINE ... but I don't really know what that means. Just know my engine is the 4.0L version so I clicked it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,205
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From: Vancouver WA
Lifting my ranger...
If you mainly drive your Ranger on the road, a full-time locker like a Detroit probably isn't your best option. They will tend to make your back tires hop around corners, especially if it's wet. An air locker or electric locker would be great because you can engage the full locker function only when you want it, but they're pretty expensive. A limited slip ("posi" is just a generic GM term for limited slip) is probably best for mainly road driving with some off-roading thrown in for fun. It really just depends on what you're going to use your vehicle for, and how much money you want to spend.