Hello all,

I'm new to the Ranger world, the Ford, and the forum world all together. I'm very carsist, but when I was shopping I stumbled upon my Ranger and for the miles, price, and estimated mpg the deal couldn't be beat.

I recently purchased a gas sipping blue 2007 Ranger.
-2.3L 4 cyl.
-2wd
-manual trans, locks, and windows. (keep it simple and bulletproof)
The truck is stock with the exception of the Century Truck Cap and the Craiger soft 8s.
(Both of which I would like to get rid of)

My plans are to get my stereo set up, install some black housing headlights with HIDs, tint the windows, get the bed liner redone, get a bed cover, and do a 2/2 drop. I would do a 2/3 drop, but I still plan on using the truck for bikes and kayaks a good bit.

FIRST QUESTION:
The soft 8s I have are 15x7s with 4.5 inches of back spacing measured to the outer lip.
Is this close to the factory steel wheels?

SECOND QUESTIONs:
I know this is discussed a lot, but I haven't found the answer to my question. I plan on doing DJM coils in the front. I haven't been able to decide what to do in the rear. Obviously flipping the hangers would be the cheaper rout to go vs. purchasing drop shackles.
Is the ride quality of one better?
Is one way more safe or sturdy than the other?
Is the drop the same or is one 2.25 and the other 1.75 both assumed to be 2ish?

LAST QUESTIONs:
There is one set of Ranger alloys I really want. If i can't find them when the time comes I have picked out another set of 16s. but they are 16x8s.
What tire size should I run on a 16 inch wheel?
(I was hoping to stay right at what the door jam says)
Where do these trucks rub first (would it rub with only 2' drop)?
Has anyone lowered on a 16x8 successfully (how much backspacing)?

THANKS,
Kyle

 

Welcome, post pics. Someone lowered a 06+ ranger but I wanna say it was a 4/5 kit. I'd recomend doing a 2/3 then getting an airbag kit for the rear, that way you can load level. The blue you have is called vista blue and it owns e4. Period.

As for your wheel question, I wanna say stock was 3.75" or 4" someone else will know for sure. I'd recomend a 17 or 18" rim and a low profile tire. It would look way better then the 16's on a lowered truck.

 

Thank you, I think I just need to measure. I'm sure there is more than 1 inch difference if I were to do 2/3 drop. I have a wrangler that gets mots of my attention so I probably wont go all out on air bags. I do like the color also. Honestly I was looking for one of the white work trucks at the time because I like the black and white contrast. Where is the best place to measure before and after heights?

 

When I lifted I went off of the top of the wheel arch. I'd go off my rockers and bumper if I was lowering my truck.

Which cap do you have? Flush with top of cab or flush with bed?

 

Welcome from NC.

 

blue ford ranger hard camper top

 

Ugh, soooo far. Id buy it.

 

Welcome!