So my college son wants me to lift my Ranger; probably thinking I'll give it to him someday. I figure it'll be a good project for us to work on this summer.
Anyway, I know nothing about the process.

I'm think maybe 4" suspension lift.

The truck is:

1997 Ranger 4x4 Super Cab
XLT 125" wheelbase
4.0L EFI V6 engine
5-spd man O/D transmission
P265
3.73 ratio limited slip axle

 

welcome to the site

sometimes it helps to take your finger off the shift button haha i didnt know they made a V^ engine (:

i dont know much about those years ranger but i think they make a few good lifts for them also theres the body lift quick easy 3" lift

what kind of things you going to be doing with the truck? or just to lift it?

 

Yep, that would be a V6. All too often a quick typing job and not enough proof reading.

95% commuting to work, 10 miles each way.
Hopefully the remaining time in the woods, gentle 4 wheeling, crossing a small creek, fetching firewood.

So are the lift values precise? Is a 4" lift truely 4" higher from the ground? I'm asking because other family members are concerned about difficulty climbing aboard.

Thanks.

 

Hes definately right about the quicl and easy body lift. Theyt inexpensive too. If you can do it yourself around 300.

How big does your son err you want the tires?

Theres a 97ish ranger that drives around here that has a 4" susp. and 3" body and hes runnin 35s in the tire department. It looks great.

But another thing you gotta watch out for is the gear ratio with big tires.. so keep that in mind.

But the 3" body lift will give it thatnice offroad stance without costing so much

Hope that helped a little

 

As to your question on lift height ... 4 inches is not that great of a difference. I mean you will be able to tell but it wont be that much harder to mount...

And if they know how to mount a horse tell em to do the same with the ranger... thats what i had to teach everyone when i got my lift done.

but 3 or 4 inches wont be that significant... now the two together ( 7 ) ... will be

 

IMO i like the body lift 3in because it fits perfect on the ranger and looks clean with big tires but if you get a 4in suspension you need to know what your gunna use it for like weekend wheeler or extreme wheeler and the suspensions very. ive found ez-ride 4in for 500$ http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...on/248604.html

then this one is close to 1000$

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...on/248624.html

 

welcome to RF!

 

Check out Mr. Duff's site

http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/broncoII.html

 

if you are going to lift it, do it right and get yourself either a James Duff 6" lift (it isn't on their site, but they have them and it is worth the money), or get yourself a Skyjacker Class 2 6" lift. Those are the top 2 bolt on kits on the market.

If you go any suspension lift over 4", do yourself a favor and get the Superlift Superunner steering setup. It will put the steering in proper alignment and eliminate bump steer; steering stabilizers are a band aid fix.

 

welcome to R-F, Peter!

 

Welcome to the R-F club, Peter!

 

Welcome to the site. I've got a 97 Supercab 4x4 also and it has a 4" lift on it. I love it, its basically perfect. It's true that even though they say 4" lift it's more like 4" up front and 3.5" in the back. They design it that way because it helps with approach and departure angles off road as well tips the nose up a little higher when going through water or mud. Most of the lift actually comes from the installing of the bigger tires as far ride height goes. The suspension lift is used to make the truck capable of clearing larger tires. I've got 33s with my set up and they work nicely. Likewise a 6" lift will clear 35s nicely. I've got the Superlift suspension which works great off road but the springs are pretty stiff making for a stiff on road ride. Skyjacker's softride springs are a lot more popular and give more flex but are a little more expensive. They work great as a dual purpose suspension setup.

 

The Skyjacker 4" class II kit has been ordered!
This will be quite the experience to install; fortunately my son has a bunch of buddies that have lifted multiple vehicles and they seem to know what they are doing.

 

Howdy. If people complain about getting in when it's lifted, tell them to bring a ladder or a stool. I had to bring a stool with me whenever my grandmother rode with me when I was stock.

 

i have a body lift forsale

 

Great choice of lift. Those Skyjakers are the best there is for the TTB style Rangers

The Passenger side radius arm bracket is gussetted for added strength, something the other lifts don't do and it's a fairly easy install as well. I wheel with 2 guys who have that kit on their rigs, one with the 4 and one with the 6.

 

Almost done, just the new pitman arm and steering stabilizer left to install. I was sent the wrong leaf springs (for a Dodge Ram), so that delayed me a week. It's looking great, I'll have a picture soon. Had to remove the stock 2" blocks; the rear was just too much higher than the front, looked odd.

 

awsome! cant wait to see it done! hey send those leaf springs to me ( i have a dodge ram) lol and i need some more rear lift! good luck with the install! we need LOTS of PICS of it when ur done

 

Finally finished.

But I have drive shaft vibrations when accelerating in low gears, and the rear axle appears to be slightly forward of center.
Many have suggested lowering the carrier member or replacing the shaft with a 1-piece. Both seem like a lot of work for a lift that should have kept the axle centered.

 

welcome

 

LOL, this seems to be a common problem with skyjacker! they sent me the wrong leafs too... funny