Say I wanted to do some off-roading every other weekend or so, in some mild terrain, mostly dirt/sandy terrain. What should I get for my ranger? I'm leaving this vague so I can have a broad idea of mods and parts to get.

 

number one is GOOD tires, you can spend a ton of money and have bad tires and get nowhere. invest in some fitting tires(fitting meaning tires that is used for the terrain youll be on)

 

I’m gonna say by your avatar that you have an 04 xlt 2wd.

First off would be a set of tires. Plenty to choose from but any aggressive tread will do (especially vs the crap-tastic stock tires). Being that the xlt is so low to the ground a lift in the future would help prevent any possible damage, but with mild off-roading you should just have to watch your chosen line. A locker or Limited Slip is probably going to help just as much as a new set of tires too vs, id assume, your stock open rear diff.

More or less Tires/Clearance/non-open diff are the basics in physicially having a much more capable 2wd truck

oh and before i forget, invest in some tow points (Hitch in the rear and tow hooks in the front) If its not you thats stuck someone else may be

 

Exactly right, get those things covered and you'll be able to go most places 4x4 will.

 

alright, i've been lookin at tires lately, so i'll try to post some up here. I've already been thinking about getting somethign like a 2" lift or so. Never thought of the differential cover.

 

Tires! Tires! Tires! Tires! Tires are KEY!

Do a 3" spindle lift, with shackes, and add-a-leaf(AAL) in the rear.

 

y blocks if he wants to beat on it a bit, i say aal and shackle.

 

With the XLT I say 5.5in spindles, block, AAL and shackle. Make that sucker as big as possible!!!

 

I've never heard of a spindle lift

 

only 2wd can do spindle lifts...

 

Here's 07Ranger's 3.5" spindle lifted truck....it's a 2wd. He also has shackles and an AAL(add-a-leaf). A spindle lift basically moves where the "center" is....the spindle itself is where the bearings/brakes/wheels go. A spindle lift basically moves that down, to create lift. Or moves the spindle up, to lower the vehicle. I have those on my chevy.

 

ah ok, i get it now.

 

those guys arent talking about a diff cover theyre talking about a locker and the term open diff doesnt litterally mean you have a open differential it means you have one wheel peel or when you get stuck only one wheel will spin
but def. get tires and a 3" min lift and prob a locker or limited slip

 

where could i get spindles

 

i also have a xlt but a 97 and jus addin a ls helped me out a good bit...but i have tires on the way to help some more..with 2wd some say at tires...but in my thinking the 2wd needs mud terrians for added bit since only 2 wheels are pulling 4x4s can get away with ats....im not risking it lol..i got buckshots...now time for a lift

 

I'd say make a decision on if your going to lift it or not. Because if you bought new tires right now, then make a decision to lift it, then you've got to get new tires. And a lifted truck with stock tires is just wrong. lol. Check your gear ratio as well.....i think you've got 3.73's, and that should be just fine with 31's.

I'd say 3.5" spindle w/ shackles and AAL in the rear, 31x10.50 BFG Mud Terrains on 15x8 Daytona or Soft 8's. Then worry about locker/limited slip later down the road.

 

I'm looking for a lift preferably a suspension lift. about the stock tires i have stocks on the front but 31s on the rear. couldn't put them on the front because i didn't have a lift.

by the way i have 3.73s

 

I'm gonna disagree on this one, I have bigger tires but I could go so much further if I had that extra tire spinning in the back. A LS is just as important as tires in my book. It all depends on what kind of offroading your going to be doing though.

 

Ya...I know. locker/limited slip is needed for a 2wd for off roading. But for now, get the lift on, tires on......then see how it is. If it's light off roading, there shouldn't be situations where a locker is needed. But if the need is there, do the limited slip or locker. I look at Mr. Griggs' truck before the SAS...out wheeling 4x4's in his dvds.....he's 2wd with locker. I wish i had a locker.....

 

That is true, I meant to say that in my post, find out if you need the locker/ls before you get it is a definite, theres no need to spend extra money. Griggs can freakin tear up offroad, his rig was impressive then in 2wd and I bet it will be even more impressive once he gets it all wrapped up.

 

yea every 2wds idol...griggs...i got my ls and gears first...then my tires friday (YES!!) and lastly will be lift...since its the most expensive...

 

spindles...i got mine here:
www.sporttrucksuspension.com/rangerlift.htm

and with the 2wd xlt, tow hooks up front are really hard to do...be easier to get a front and rear receiver hitch for recovery points

 

diff armor
hi lift
good recovery strap
good tires
more lift to fit bigger tires

and a buddy every time

 

so i should just be pooling up my money and get the lift and tires together then right?

 

if i get one of the kits which one should i get?