Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

4x4 ranger

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Old 04-26-2021
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4x4 ranger

Hello I was wondering if anyone knowing how or has experience with lowering a 4x4 Ford ranger? Is it even posible ? I have a 1995 3.0L 4x4.
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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Welcome to the forum

How low do you want to go?

4x4 Rangers usually have lift blocks on each leaf spring in the back, these can be removed, you will need 4 shorter U-bolts

In the front you will need to shorten the coil springs, best way is to remove the springs and use shorter springs
There are Spring Clamps so you can compress current coil springs, but not best option

Any modification to front suspension will rewire a re-alignment

Easiest way is to get low profile tires, Rangers usually have at least 6" side wall tires, less sidewall = lower vehicle
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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Originally Posted by RonD
Welcome to the forum

How low do you want to go?

4x4 Rangers usually have lift blocks on each leaf spring in the back, these can be removed, you will need 4 shorter U-bolts

In the front you will need to shorten the coil springs, best way is to remove the springs and use shorter springs
There are Spring Clamps so you can compress current coil springs, but not best option

Any modification to front suspension will rewire a re-alignment

Easiest way is to get low profile tires, Rangers usually have at least 6" side wall tires, less sidewall = lower vehicle
I was looking to go like 2-4” honestly I just wanna be as low as posible without sacrificing reliability or needing custom fabrication
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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Then just get lower profile tires

Most 4x4 Rangers used a 75% ratio sidewall tire, i.e. 235/75R15, so sidewall is 7" wide

I think 215/50R15 is an available size, thats a 4" sidewall so a 3" drop
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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Originally Posted by RonD
Then just get lower profile tires

Most 4x4 Rangers used a 75% ratio sidewall tire, i.e. 235/75R15, so sidewall is 7" wide

I think 215/50R15 is an available size, thats a 4" sidewall so a 3" drop
would be 1 1/2" drop. centerline of wheel to outside edge of tire.
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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No, the sidewall is 3" less on each, its 6" overall less diameter

i.e. 15" rim and 7" side walls would be 29" diameter, 15 + 7 + 7 = 29

15" rim and 4" sidewalls is 15 + 4 + 4 = 23

So 6" diameter change and that's a 3" drop

I get the confusion, usually we are talking about larger tires so 29" diameter to 33" is a 4" change but only a 2" lift
 

Last edited by RonD; 04-26-2021 at 06:00 PM.
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Old 04-26-2021
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Okay so what is the lowest I can go and how do I achieve that ?
 
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Old 04-26-2021
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To achieve what?

1995 Ranger 4x4 uses front coil springs so you can do these 2WD lowering projects: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ion_drop.shtml

You can't used drop spindles or I-beams, but you use shorter coil springs and can flip the rear axle, so springs are under the axle
 
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Old 04-27-2021
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Okay so my only options are smaller tires and lowering springs ?
 
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Old 04-27-2021
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Originally Posted by Agutierrez21
Okay so my only options are smaller tires and lowering springs ?
Yes, because of the Twin I beam 4x4 front.
And doing a 2" drop in the front, you might have a hard time finding a shop that can do an alignment.
 
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