Guys, got a first-timer here with questions . .
 

I posted this in the ranger lifts forum, but thought it might get more attention in this forum:

i just purchased a 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0 V6 2WD truck. i've never owned a ranger. we've been trying to pay bills off so we went down to being a 1 CAR family. wow! that's a wake-up call. i was looking for a smaller truck (used to have an 08 King Ranch F250) for better gas mileage, because the wife just had our first kido, A BOY!!! Now that i have the truck i want to dress it up of course. what i'm wanting to do is:

bigger tires - not too big, maybe 31's
black rims - probably xd enduro or xd hoss. (i wanted xd misfits but it looks like they don't make them in the right bolt pattern.)
small grill guard - 3 in bull bar with skid plate (aries or westin?)
lift

i've never had a lift on any of my trucks so i'm not familiar with them. it's a 2WD so i won't be using the truck for mudding. i'm more getting the lift for looks. i'm thinking of either a leveling kit or a 2.5 -3 in body lift. any other suggestions? any recomendations for this process? does brand matter here? what's the best bang-for-the-buck? WHAT SAY THE?!

Thanks in advance for any help/advice/suggs and recs!

Yeah wait until you pay off your bills before you lift it. Otherwise there is a 3" spindle lift or a 3" body lift.

we spent 1 yr with 1 car and were able to pay everything off except the house, and start saving for our "emergency fund". (if you can't tell, we did the Dave Ramsey - Financial Peace University) being able to get there meant selling my F250 AND my harley!!! now that everything is paid off, it's time to get the truck looking nice. what kind of price range am i looking at between the 3" BL and the spindle lift?

I've seen three inch Body lifts for around $200 on ebay/amazon not a bad investment, you'll pay double that to have it installed though.

Body lift from $100-200 and spindle lift probably around $400 maybe more depending on what kit you get.

what's the difference between the 2 lifts? is the quality between all the brands the same and you just pay more for the name?

i found a lift on amazon for $140, will this lift do the trick or is it an "el cheapo" and i shouldn't bother?

That will work.