Hello all. I joined a few days ago and this is my first post...lol I own a 1999 Ranger XLT 4x4.

I am considering moddding my truck for offroading. Of course I wanted a suspension lift and tons of performance mods, but I had to get practical.

My truck is no longer a daily driver, but by no means is it a true offroader. Like this weekend, I may go to a offroad park or for fun mudding, but I am not a hardcore crawler or jumper. So I asked myself, " Is a 4", $1,400 suspension lift worth it?". My answer was, " No. ". I know people say the suspension lifts are the way to go, but we can all agree unless you offroad a lot, or have money for a asthetic mod, then such a expensive mod is not really needed.

So then I started thinking about performance mods. I of course thought about a swap. I don't really need the power of a V8 in my Ranger. Should i need to tow anything mroe then my Jetski or JonBoat I can use my parents' Cherokee. If done " properly ", a V8swap will cost well into the thousands EASILY. Granted it would rock, btu I really don't see the personal justification. If I really want more power, i can invest $1,200 in various engine mods for another 50+ HP should I decide to. And with 200hp, that would be a great thing.

So where am I now? I went though all the things the usual owner goes through when thinking of lifts and power. There is no shame in a simple 2" - 3" body lift. That is what I am going to do. It's quick, easy, and very effective. For my style of offroading, that will allow me 32" / 33" tires. That will get me thorugh the mud and voer anything I would ever want to. As far as power goes, I can upgrade the air filter, plug wires, plugs, maybe a TB, and if I want MAYBE a catback. All this may gain me like 20 - 30hp. This would put me at just around 190 - 200hp at the fly. I think that's enough.

What would I tell anyone reading or going through the same things, be hoenst and practical for your needs. Sometimes a suspension lift is TOO MUCH for your needs. You have to know what you will be doing instead of what everyone else thinks you should do. Sit down, relax, and have a good time.

 

If that what you want to do to your truck.... go for it

But don't if you don't want to... it just a waste of money... later on when you hate it...

I like to get a lift but then i have to get bigger tires and mpg going down if i did...


EDIT: Welcome to the site...

 

welcome....sounds like you are ready to start right...as for the performance...most people start out with the exhaust, an intake, and the stuff you mentioned...so create you a signature so everyone can know the details on your truck...and again welcome.

 

With a body lift, your only lifting the body to clear bigger tires. The suspension will sit where it sat when you bought the thing.

If thats what you want. Go for it.

Engine mods wise.
air filter = 2hp
plug wires/ plugs = 2hp
Tb= ohv engine = 5-6hp
catback = 7hp tops...

These mods dont do what you think to tell you the truth.

I had a pretty modded 4.0SOHC with 207 flywheel, and with all my mods only got 204rwhp in the end of it all..

Suspension lift would not only clear bigger tires, but ready the suspension for the beating its going to take.

Its not just another lift, you replacing components which allow you for better flexing capability, and whatnot.

Im not much of a lift guy, but these are my thoughts..

and with the 4.0OHV , performance is hard to come by, unless you go big (ie:headwork,supercharger etc...)

Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

Hey Francisco lets see some pics of your truck. Bet it looks the same as mine :) I have the 3.0 though :(. Body lift is the way to go for the budget friendly. People seem to forget that bigger tires give you more clearance from axle to ground. Do the little things, it'll make you feel much better. But don't really expect a bunch of extra power. Its not that easy to jack up an engine's horsepower. And to the 5.0 swap, instead of tryin to buy one, wait till one tries to buy you. What I mean is, next time you see a car crash, check if its an Eddie Bauer edition Explorer(i think thats the 5.0 one) or check junkyards for great deals. A lot of people get their nice stuff through luck.

Aaron

 

It sounds like you are confused. I am to, just in a little different situation. I want to lift my truck, but its only a 4x2. Am I wasting my time with a truck that wont go anywhere off road? I donno. For you tho i would say just throw a body lift on it. There only about $100 and they look really good. You can throw some bigger tires on it and it will do really good off road (expecially if your not to hard core) without spending a ton of money. For the engine swap, that sounds like some serious mods. Personally i wouldnt do it nor do i have the money. You can do other little mods like exhaust, intake, and maybe a chip or so but i think a swap would be rather hard and expensive. And if you really want to you can boor and stroke ur engine. Expecially if it a 99 the block probably has some miles and wear on it.

 

oh...i almost for got...the one mod most people agree is the best for the money...a bamachips programmer...about$400...i want one bad

 

bama programer 10hp $400
exhaust 7 hp $200
intake 5hp $150
headers 12hp $400
spending a grand in mods and still wanting more

Priceless

lol the 4.0 ohv is a great great motor ive had 2 and they have alot of umph to begin with but there a down low grunt motor unlike the sohc which is a revver. you could get a cam i swaped the cam in my 95 and did an intake headers and exhaust that sucker screamed to bad a drunk hit me before i could get her to the track a guy with a ohv and a supercharger and tons of other mods hits like 14.1 in the 1/4 over on rps.

 

I'll give ya a litte encourage ment. I have the same truck. 99 4.0 4wd XLT. Read the story at the link below. I have a STOCK (well sorta) Suspension and 32X10.5's. And I'v completed Several trails rated at "Most Difficult" "Black Diamond". So you CAN do it with out all the other stuff if you dont want it.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=5695

As far as motor mods, check out my signature and you can see all I have done to it. It has quite a bit of go and lots of torque, and torque moves metal right! It dies in the upper RPM but any OHV will, but it crawls like noting.

So good luck and enjoy your stay. Any other questions feel free to ask!