My husband felt he got a great deal on an 2005 Ranger because it was a salvage title. Now, my son (16 yrs w/ new driver's license) wants to give it a suspension lift. Problem- the right front tire is pushed back roughly 2", restricting the tire size. This is probobly due to the fact that the truck was totaled thus receiving it's salvage title. I feel for my son- he wants a truck with a little more personality and he is willing to work on it himself (w/ guidance from Dad of course). Dad feels lifting trucks are pointless and alter the safety and ride of vehicles. Is there any way to turn this lemon into a cherry?

 

Probably need to replace the suspension cpmponente\s on the side that is bent-perfect time to add a lift. A moderate lift (approx 4 inches) would not make thw truck unsafe and would change the looks dramatically. Plus with the lift, you can add larger tires, and build quite a nice truck.

 

First off welcome to R-F
well you came to the write place .lol . Just take a look at some of the pics from this site , lifted , lowered and everything in between . I hated my Ranger until I joined this site now I love it heck it even motivated me to pay it off to aford more mods .
First we need some more details these include egine size , transmission , drive 4x4 or 4x2 , chassis , everything you think is pertanent .
And no it doesnt well you have to learn how to handle a vehicle that is lifted , its not bad you just have to know the limits of your ride . Let us know how we can help , theres plenty of options .

 

this might be the right place but your son would probably do better to buy a ranger to work on that hasnt been wrecked... thats my 2cents...

there are great deals on trucks with lifts if he looks around

 

take some pictures and tell us about what type of truck it is. that would definitly get you some precise feedback

 

Pictures would help a ton. I am just in west covina, so I could take a look at it and help you guys out with whatever I can. I can also get any parts you would need.

 

also, tell your husband that yes, some lifted trucks are pointless and do alter the safety of the vehicle. HOWEVER, a modest 2-3 inch lift installed correctly and with bigger tires are perfectly safe.

 

or do a sas to it lol

 

If the right front wheel is pushed back 2" I would consider it dangerous to drive and have it towed the the best front end repair/alignment shop the first thing tomorrow morning that's 1/7/08 tomorrow.

A lift kit is not an option at this point, fix the front end first.

 

Ditto

 

1000% address the problems with the vehicle first. then move on to a lift kit.. the son is putting his eggs in the wrong basket first.. you have to make sure the vehicle is in prefect running order before doing accessories to it..

then after everything is fixed if he has the $ sure then lift it.. rule of thumb.. if you go up... go out.. that being wider tires.. helps keep the vehicle stable from moving the center of gravity up...

 

Thanks everyone for the wise advise. Does anyone know a good local shop or independent mechanic-4 Wheel Parts is down the street but VERY expensive. Also, J. wants to learn to work on his own vehicle. Truck initially cost $5,000 as a salvage title. We already put another $2,000. Most of the parts were ordered by us and installed by J. and his Dad. Ford installed a new rear axle and straightend the frame. The truck rides good. In the initial accident, part of the cab was bent. The tire looks like it is pushed back but it seems to line up with the other tire. There is more of a gap between the cab and the bed on the indented side than on the non-dented side.

This message has been altered by J. who wanted to give accurate details.

 

take some pictures

 

That's a major misalignment of the front end. If it's not the body moved forward somehow, and the suspension/frame is what's off that is.

Either way, it should be addressed. That year Ranger can run 33x10.5 as is pretty much when it's in proper shape. With a modest lift beyond that it can run 35's for normal service.

 

I'm with the Sheriff's Office and we've had some real horror storys with our young folks who are inexperienced drivers rolling the vehicle due to simple situations such as getting a wheel off the pavement. My new ranger came with a permanent warning on the inside that it's a high rollover possiblity vehicle, and it's just a standard XLT Supercab. To take a young person and then make the vehicle even higher, compounds the risk significantly. I'd ask you to listen to your husband on this one and not put your child in this situation.

 

I started out driving a Lifted ranger when I was 16, as long as your son is responcible and understands what a lift does to the characteristics of a vehicle which from what it sounds like he is, he would have no problem handling a mildly lifted ranger, but that still leaves the topic that from the sound of it this particular ranger doesnt seem upto the task of a lift.

 

actually, maybe you should just lower it instead. keep it g

 

yeah lower it, it looks even cooler.

and its safer

 

I learned to drive with a 85 K-5 Blazer with 6 inch lift and 35s , that and the broncos are the worst top heavy vehicles on the road . As long as you understand its a truck and not a Lambo youll be fine it also teaches you better handling because you have to be cautious , besides a lower center of gravity is no substitute for good training and driving habbits you being a sherrifs deputy should know that .

 

it's like everyone that says don't get a Wrangles cause they rollover easy. Well DUH if you drive it like a sports car it will roll over on you. Back on topic I would get everything back to normal with the frame and suspension before you start altering it again.

 

That frame is a major issue, I wouldn't worry about anything else till thats taken care of, and the cab doesn't line up with the bed either? I'd see about finding a new frame or getting rid of it.

 

this guy is selling a ranger frame for 50 bucks!!!!

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/531827525.html

 

I'll disagree with you, simply because I'm a Bronco owner and I've had mine in situations my Ranger would have rolled.

As far as the lift, fix the problems on the wreck first and foremost. A lift for appearence can wait. Shoot, mine's been waiting over 2 years. With that time saving for the lift, he will become a better driver (hoping) and be that much more intimate with the vehicle before the lift.

 

Ya i think we need some pictures...of the truck of course

 

pictures would help this thread out alot so we can see what is being talked about. and you need to fix all the problems the truck has first before you start throwing mods on it.