Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Am I blind or do I have torsions I cant see

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Old 03-17-2008
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Am I blind or do I have torsions I cant see

I have a 93 ford ranger that I just picked up for a great price. 4x4 5 speed. I looked under the truck this past weekend and i dont see any torsion bars under there. Are they there or did I not see them? How do I lift this truck up?
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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You have a different kind of suspension, your is called TTB(twin traction beams). Ford changing to the torsion bar in 98.
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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Just out of curiosity, how is that suspension system? I noticed that change as well in my Haynes book. It looks like a simple suspension system, but I guess there are more moving parts then that of a torsion style setup.
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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So how do I lift the truck on the cheap? coil spacers?
 
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Check summitracing.com, Skyjacker makes a good lift kit, the good thing about lifting TTB trucks is that its really cheap compared to the torsion bar suspensions.
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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yah either skyjacker or pro comp right now im running a pro comp lift with 2 " coil spacers with some bilstein reservoir shocks i was able to get my hands on. But no the TTB systems are really reliable offroad i love it! My ranger is one year older than yours. I have a 92 with the different body style but the suspension is the same.
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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Thanks.... I guess since I only paid $1350 for the truck I can afford a lift.

great deal/steal
1993
4x4
extra cab
I think a 4.0, havent got into that yet.
Needs a clutch I think.
Body is in great shape with no dents or paint issues. Original paint.
 
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Originally Posted by Rolldogg
Just out of curiosity, how is that suspension system? I noticed that change as well in my Haynes book. It looks like a simple suspension system, but I guess there are more moving parts then that of a torsion style setup.
there is less complications to the TTB than the SLA ('98+ Rangers).....

As far as SUSPENSION lift kits, here is a list in order of best to worst:
- James Duff ( www.jamesduff.com )
- Skyjacker ( www.skyjacker.com )
- Superlift (www.superlift.com )
- Trailmaster ( www.trailmastersuspension.com )
- Rough Country ( www.roughcountry.com )
- Tuff Country ( www.tuffcountry.com )

I recommend the top 3 all the time; remember, you get what you pay for.

Skyjacker makes a 8" lift kit for the TTB's, but they are really hard to get the alignment correct on them. I don't recommend the 8" kit for that and other reasons.

If you have a 4.0 supercab, you can run 8" lift coils from Skyjacker with the 6" drop brackets. The extra weight of the supercab and 4.0 allow this.



Here is where I also recommend getting lift kits from. I have personally purchased kits from both of them in the past with great luck and good prices:
- http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/fd4_Rgr83_97.htm
- www.ntwonline.com (they usually have a 6" suspension special for TTB Rangers for $460 w/ everything needed; it is usually a Superlift kit)



I also recommend some extra parts when doing any lift kit to a TTB Ranger. Those parts will help extensively with steering and ride. The extra parts are costly, but are worth every penny. I personally have installed/used each of these parts:
- Superlift Superunner Steering setup (~$480) ( http://www.superlift.com/accessories/superunner.asp )
- Skyjacker lifted leafs (anywhere from $175-$225 each spring)


You can also get a Performance Accessories body lift for roughly $200. You can get anywhere from 2"-3" of lift in a body lift kit. They are nice, reliable, and an easy/cheap way to lift a truck up to 3". Both kits listed below come with everything you need (minus the transmission shifter extention which is listed seperately) to lift the truck 3"; the bumper brackets are included.
2" - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
3" - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Shift Ext. - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku


As far as wheels and tires go, it all depends on the lift you decide to get. If you get a 4" lift, I personally think 32x11.50x15 tires look good. I don't like too much tire with a lift. I like having room to flex.

4" Suspension lift = 32" tires
6" Suspension lift = 33" tires

4" Suspension + 3" Body lift = 33" or 34" tires
6" Suspension + 3" Body lift = 35" tires



Here is some pictures for you to compare too:

6" Suspension lift w/ 33x12.50x15 tires on 15x8 wheels:




6" Suspension + 3" Body lift w/ 35x12.50x15 tires on 15x10 wheels:

 

Last edited by lifted97ranger; 03-17-2008 at 11:26 AM.
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Originally Posted by Shaklakan
yah either skyjacker or pro comp right now im running a pro comp lift with 2 " coil spacers with some bilstein reservoir shocks i was able to get my hands on. But no the TTB systems are really reliable offroad i love it! My ranger is one year older than yours. I have a 92 with the different body style but the suspension is the same.
Pro Comp doesn't make lift kits for the TTB (4wd), they do for the TIB (2wd) Rangers...
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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Thanks for the information guys. I like the lift prices for these trucks. I think I'm only going with a 4" for now at most. Its a work truck and I have to lean over to get in the back for stuff and I want to get decent gas milage as well.
 
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Maurices post should be stickied, 4" should be perfect for you David!
 
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Maurices post should be stickied, 4" should be perfect for you David!
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...754#post904754

how about that
 
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Looks great to me, I even learned something from it!
 
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good!
 
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Man,,,,,,, you guys are great. What a great site hear and plenty of help. I got all I asked for and then some. I'm starting on this project in a few weeks, so I'll keep you posted on how things go. I have a list of to do's for this ranger. I have to admit ford does make a tuff truck. I have always had ford trucks. This is my first ranger.
 
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Damn Maurice, Why did you sell your truck? It was soooooo pretty.
 
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time to move on man.......there wasn't much i could do to my truck anymore....
 
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Old 03-17-2008
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after taking my front end apart i would recommend pulling it apart and seeing if it needs wheel bearings, spindle needle bearing and u-joints on the axles.. all of mine are wasted and i have 130k i bet its all original too
 
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
there is less complications to the TTB than the SLA ('98+ Rangers).....

As far as SUSPENSION lift kits, here is a list in order of best to worst:
- James Duff ( www.jamesduff.com )
- Skyjacker ( www.skyjacker.com )
- Superlift (www.superlift.com )
- Trailmaster ( www.trailmastersuspension.com )
- Rough Country ( www.roughcountry.com )
- Tuff Country ( www.tuffcountry.com )

I recommend the top 3 all the time; remember, you get what you pay for.

Skyjacker makes a 8" lift kit for the TTB's, but they are really hard to get the alignment correct on them. I don't recommend the 8" kit for that and other reasons.

If you have a 4.0 supercab, you can run 8" lift coils from Skyjacker with the 6" drop brackets. The extra weight of the supercab and 4.0 allow this.



Here is where I also recommend getting lift kits from. I have personally purchased kits from both of them in the past with great luck and good prices:
- http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/fd4_Rgr83_97.htm
- www.ntwonline.com (they usually have a 6" suspension special for TTB Rangers for $460 w/ everything needed; it is usually a Superlift kit)



I also recommend some extra parts when doing any lift kit to a TTB Ranger. Those parts will help extensively with steering and ride. The extra parts are costly, but are worth every penny. I personally have installed/used each of these parts:
- Superlift Superunner Steering setup (~$480) ( http://www.superlift.com/accessories/superunner.asp )
- Skyjacker lifted leafs (anywhere from $175-$225 each spring)


You can also get a Performance Accessories body lift for roughly $200. You can get anywhere from 2"-3" of lift in a body lift kit. They are nice, reliable, and an easy/cheap way to lift a truck up to 3". Both kits listed below come with everything you need (minus the transmission shifter extention which is listed seperately) to lift the truck 3"; the bumper brackets are included.
2" - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
3" - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Shift Ext. - http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku


As far as wheels and tires go, it all depends on the lift you decide to get. If you get a 4" lift, I personally think 32x11.50x15 tires look good. I don't like too much tire with a lift. I like having room to flex.

4" Suspension lift = 32" tires
6" Suspension lift = 33" tires

4" Suspension + 3" Body lift = 33" or 34" tires
6" Suspension + 3" Body lift = 35" tires



Here is some pictures for you to compare too:

6" Suspension lift w/ 33x12.50x15 tires on 15x8 wheels:




6" Suspension + 3" Body lift w/ 35x12.50x15 tires on 15x10 wheels:



im so sad to see that truck gone i wish i could of bought it thats what my truck will look like someday
 
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Old 10-15-2008
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me too
 
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Old 10-15-2008
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so you open up a 7 month old thread and all you say is "me too" lol
 
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haha my bad i liked all the info so i said someting so i could track it lol
 
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Old 10-15-2008
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1993 4x4 w/ 5.5" superlift and 3" body lift...hells ya!!!!!





 
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Old 10-16-2008
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Lol i remember my post in this thread. Back when i didn't know much about suspensions lol.
 
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