I tried searching first...
#1
I tried searching first...
Okay so here's my deal.
I have a broken rear shackle on my truck right now and it needs replacing. As I like to say, having to repair something is always a good excuse to upgrade it. So, that being said, I am going to go ahead and get the GM 2.5" shackles. Easy enough.
But that poses me a problem with the front end. I don't have much money to spend and I would prefer not just cranking the torsion bars. I tried searching around for how to lift the front of a 4x4 without much luck (either I'm blind or lazy), so what's the cheapest and simplest alternative to just cranking the t-bars? It's a 2002 Mazda for reference.
And I am NOT interested in doing a body lift.
I have a broken rear shackle on my truck right now and it needs replacing. As I like to say, having to repair something is always a good excuse to upgrade it. So, that being said, I am going to go ahead and get the GM 2.5" shackles. Easy enough.
But that poses me a problem with the front end. I don't have much money to spend and I would prefer not just cranking the torsion bars. I tried searching around for how to lift the front of a 4x4 without much luck (either I'm blind or lazy), so what's the cheapest and simplest alternative to just cranking the t-bars? It's a 2002 Mazda for reference.
And I am NOT interested in doing a body lift.
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lets do some math....
2" chevy drops = 1.5" lift i got out of them
2.5" stock block....
so...if you replace your shackles with 2" chevy drops, and take out the stock block, you'll lose 1".
OR...just get replacement shackles. stock ones.
OR...
Belltech 6400's are 2" Chevy Drop Shackles
Belltech 6700's are 1" Chevy Drop Shackles
IF you got the 6700's, you'll gain about 3/4" lift compared to stock. I've not seen anyone run those shackles on their rangers yet...you should be our guina pig! lol.
#14
yes i think what you have in mind is indeed the same. a drop shackle for a chevy or GM fullsize truck is longer than stock due to them using a tension style shackle, as opposed to the more common compression style shackle (what rangers have).
bare in mind that adding a 1" longer shackle will result in a 1/2" of lift.
#17
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I cranked my bars a good 4 or 5 times maybe more, can't remember. I did this bout 30k miles ago and my ball joints are still holding up fine. Course now that I say that they'll probably screw up today LOL I'm sure that if Ford didn't mean for them to be adjusted they wouldn't have installed adjusting bolts.
Last edited by DSFD506; 02-04-2009 at 02:59 AM.
#18
I cranked* my t bars around six months ago.. it did add about 1.5 inches of lift, but i noticed some problems
: the ride immediately got worse , handling was the same or better because of the tightness*
After i added my 32" tires the ride quality was back to stock.
3 days ago wail mounting my wheels the mechanic told me that my upper right ball joint had too much play in it and needed replacing. (i was thinking wtf that's bs , but i looked closely at my tire and the camber angle confirmed the need for replacement)
I don't recommend cranking the bars at all, the improved look is not worth the problems you may or may not encore.
Just my opinion , Its your truck and i think you should do anything you want no matter what people say including me! good luck!
: the ride immediately got worse , handling was the same or better because of the tightness*
After i added my 32" tires the ride quality was back to stock.
3 days ago wail mounting my wheels the mechanic told me that my upper right ball joint had too much play in it and needed replacing. (i was thinking wtf that's bs , but i looked closely at my tire and the camber angle confirmed the need for replacement)
I don't recommend cranking the bars at all, the improved look is not worth the problems you may or may not encore.
Just my opinion , Its your truck and i think you should do anything you want no matter what people say including me! good luck!
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