My 2000 Ranger XLT is coming up on tire time, and I want to put 31's on it. It's gonna have to be lifted slightly, only a couple inches. Should I just do a body lift on it, or should I bite the bullet and pay for a suspension lift. The things only a 2wd 4 banger, so I don't go hauling around off road a lot. I'm just looking to clear the tires and make the truck look balanced and neat. Any help would be appreciated.

 

3 inch body lift kit=90 bucks
kits installed by shop=350
doesnt screw with alignment and is a cheap realiable TRUE 3 inches. go with the performance acessories. good luck.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Dec-02 AT 01:46 AM (EST)]well hmm get the body lift its the cheap way out.if you get a 2"
body lift your truck will clear 31"s im sure.but the performance
body lift does not come with anything to make a 4x4 shifter longer or and brackets for the back bumper but you have a 2 wheel drive so you dont need to worry about the shifter.get the 2" body lift you will get those tires under there with it.good luck!

 

Just remember that a body lift isn't as simple as $90 a few bolts and you're on your way. You have to remember that if you have a stick, and manually shifted 4wd, there is a possible problem with those and might need to be lengthened. Also, you're going to have a 2-3" gap between the bumpers and the truck depending on if you get a 2 or 3" lift. Remember a body lift is what it is, it lifts the body off of the frame. You can shim the bumpers and get them to the right spot but that is a PITA sometimes. A suspension lift is more expensive, but the choice is yours. I personally don't like body lifts. A 3" suspension lift is 3", same as a 3" body lift is a 3" body lift, they are just two different methods. There is no doubt that a suspension lift is the better of the two, but a lot more expensive.


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Its not as hard as everyone makes it seem. I did it and it was pretty much a few bolst. The bumper was raised without the brackets and the rear bumper looks fine. The shifter boot cover had to be modified but nothing a semi-ingenuitive person couldnt do.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Dec-02 AT 07:45 PM (EST)]350 installed by shop. much cheaper than suspension lift. a body lift on a ranger is not hard at all anyways. and ive said this a million times but you can buy gap guards that cover up the gap in the fender which gets rid of the "ugly gap" it also covers up any rust and really cleans up the truck overall. i really do not see how a suspension lift is "better". a body lift does not mess with the alignment, does not require new shocks, keeps factory ride, and is cheap and durable. its a true 3 inches, you dont have to worry about settling and stuff like that. and if the guy is looking for a way to get some bigger tires under his fenders to beef up the truck a little a body lift is perfect. a suspension lift however improves the offroad abilities. from all the suspension crap ive messed with and the alignment problems the body lift has been the BEST thing ive added to my truck. i do agree that a suspension lift is "cooler" but in no way is a body lift a bad thing. as long as you get the gap guards you wont even beable to tell its a body lift. by the way why would you pay the same for 2 inches a lift and when you can get 3 at the same. get the 3 inch kit not the 2 inch. even if i had lots of money i would not hesitate to put a body lift on any of my trucks. there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. there are alot more problems you deal with eventually with suspension than body lifts. the blocks are strong as hell and even if there is ever a problem it is easy to fix. sorry for the long heated post but body lifts are well worth the money and there are no problems with them. i think it just annoys people that the frame isnt being lifted as well. its only 3 inches. i guarantee you your body isnt going to fly off your truck. you feel that exact same height increase with a body lift neways, people say your really not lifting the truck but i find that untrue. your just leaving the frame and the axles instead of just the axles. big deal its not like its lifting it 6 inches. just 3. o and the front bumper brackets come with the kit to lift your bumper. and im sure it is not hard to lift a front bumper on a ranger. for the back all you have to do is drill new holes in your factory brackets. not hard.

 

Lotta good info... Looks like the body lift is gonna be the way to go. Thanks again.