I have a 92 Explorer XLT 4x4 with a 3in suspention lift and a 4.0 engine. Well the transmission went out and some other things are wrong with it so I got a new truck a 97 ranger supercab XLT. 4x4 and 4.0 engine. Im wondering how much has changed from 92 to 97. If the lift kit might fit on the ranger and if any other parts would work on my ranger before i get rid of the explorer. Also The ranger had manual hubs and id like to have them incase the automatic on the ranger go out

 

Welcome to FTE Ronan75.
With both trucks side by each, you should be able to do a visual & tape measure comparison. Probably can swap the hubs?Yes?

 

My 99 ranger has torsion bars, and not springs up front. I dont know what year they changed, but if your ranger has them, the lift kit wont work. What kind of seats does the x have? They will fit in the ranger. Also the console, and OH console. Their is currently a post about it if you want to read it. Are you going to junk it or sell it. There are tons of little parts you could use. fuses, hoses,belts, Tires and wheels???

 

99xlt4.04x4 - the switch was between 97 and 98. 83-97 was TTB, 98+ is torsion bar.

 

I knew it was around there sometime, just wasnt sure. The only bad thing about T-bars is i cant find too many lift kits for it. Doesnt really matter though since i have no money. lol

 

Hey 99xlt - you can crank up the torsen bars and get 1-2 inches of lift. You will have to get a wheel alignment and you should drive around the block a few times between every full turn or two of the torsen bolt to get the lift out of the bars.

 

Yeah, but then i have to lift the back, and im broke.
To me it looks like the left rear is sgging a little anyways. Is there any way to adjust the rear leaf springs? Maybe it is the driveway or something, but it looks crooked.

 

99, thats a common problem, Ford even has a TSB about it. You can switch them side to side and they'll even out or replace them with revise leafs.

 

So if i switch them the other side wont sag? Man ford has had a lot of TSB's with these trucks. I still havent got the driveshaft fixed yet.

 

It will even out, I think its due to the gas tank adding just a little more weight to the side, here's the TSB info.

Determine if the lean is a body lean concern or a frame lean concern.
Measure frame - measure from the top of the axle tube at the jounce bumper to bottom flange of the frame (both sides).
Determine body contribution - measure from the center of the wheel lip to the ground (both sides) and subtract the frame measurement from the above Step 1a.
If the frame measurements from Step 1a are consistent from side-to-side, then the concern is a suspension lean, otherwise the concern is a body lean.
If it is a body lean condition, refer to the 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00, for further details. If it is not a body lean condition, go to Step 3.
To fix a suspension (frame) lean concern:
Swap the left rear leaf spring with the right leaf spring.
Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications (reference Steps 1a-1c).
NOTE: DO NOT STACK MORE THAN ONE (1) SHIM PER SIDE FOR SHIMMING.



If lean is still present, leave swapped springs in place and insert Leaf Spring Shim (E3TZ-5742-A) under the left leaf spring.
NOTE: REFERENCE THE 1998 OR 1999 RANGER WORKSHOP MANUAL, SECTION 204-00, FOR FURTHER DETAILS.



If lean is still present, leave swapped springs and shim in place and insert Front Coil Spring Shim (XL5Z-5355-AA) between the frame spring pocket and spring-rubber insulator ( Figure 1 ). Refer to the 1998 Ranger Workshop Manual, Page 204-01A-20, for details.
NOTE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS MANDATORY AFTER PERFORMING STEP 3d.



Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00.
Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications; reference Steps 1a-1c.

 

So its caused by the extra weight of the gas tank? Wil this affect handling with a load?

 

Thats just my thoughts, Ford's TSB says its due to being overloaded but it seems strange that its always the drivers side.

 

Well my gas tank is on the drivers side, but that isnt that much more weight. Maybe they didnt factro in that there would be a driver on that side.

 

Figure 140# of fuel and 150-200# of you = 290-340# more on that side.

 

My guess would be that the rear end lift kit from an Explorer would not work on a Ranger because the axle is above the springs on an Explorer and below the springs on a Ranger. It might work with a little innovation or creativity.