Alright, I've decided a washer lift was going to be the way to go up front.

I decided after researching all of the other options that steel washers would be the toughest, most cost efficient option.

I only have $5 into this so far, and I feel like this'll ride nicer than the F150 coils I planned on doing.

All the lift spacers you find on ebay and stuff are rubber like. I don't like the thought of my lift relying on rubber. I've read several reviews of the aluminum ones cracking under stress. Don't like the idea of that either.

There is one thing I need opinions on though. How high should I make the spacers?

I'm looking to level the ranger, I know 1" = 1.5" of lift. I'm thinking of doing 10 washers per side, just under 2" of spacer. Now, everything I've read advises against that much spacer due to the fact it will be impossible to align without drop brackets, but I'm also looking at how the truck is sitting now on stock 4wd springs with a 302 on top sagging them out.

To get an idea look at where your bumpstop is on your ttb ranger. My truck doesn't have any bumpstops left, but if it did it would be riding on them, thanks to the 302.

So my theory is I have more room to add a bunch of spacers due to the fact i'm more sagged, therefore, I wont get as much lift as the v6 ranger guys are getting out of 1.5" of spacer.

Am I on the right track? It makes sense in my head. And I already have the extended bolts so thread length won't be a problem.

 

WTF is a washer lift?

 

Ghetto, that's what.

 

lol sure sounds like it!

 

Lies! Cheap. Tough. Awesome.

http://therangerstation.com/tech_lib...oilSpacers.htm

It's simple and cheap. Especially with a baby on the way, when there's no extra money to blow on lift parts. I'm not lifting a show truck, I'm lifting a truck that sees regular off-road use. There is really nothing unsafe about it. The negatives are pretty much nonexistent.

So, whats to say this is anymore ghetto than some over priced hunks of aluminum?

I mean, my whole front end is brand new, so a little bit of redneck lift is acceptable.

Not to be so defensive, but damn. Opinions about the spacing, not how ghetto it is, is all i asked for. Jeeze.

 

Sounds like something id do so im all for it! Are you just lifting your springs? Because this gave me an idea of using washers for a BL lol

 

Explain the washer lift. Never heard of it.

If it works, is safe and durable, then It sounds pretty interesting.

 

^^^ and cheap lol. Ima tightwad

 

Ahem. Hockey Pucks.
Your on the right track, I just don't know if steel washers are what your looking for. You've got no "give" like you would in a bump stop. You know what i mean?

 

he is not replacing the bumpstop, he is adding longer bolts with washers as spacers to the tops of his coil over or strut mounts. what i dont like about this beside the ghetto fab that it is, is now your entire front end is relying on 3 or 4 bolts with washers on them to support everything in an offroad environment... basically making 3 or 4 "columns" from the bolt/washer combo instead of one larger supported area. this will create pressure points that can eventually crack the mounting spots, not to mention the side loading on the bolts will be huge everytime you hit a bump. i think this will make this idea very unsafe as the bolts can now shear off or rip out.


i have seen guys run lifts like this on mud trucks and on road tucks with very bad things happening... like suspension components totally failing. but i have also seen some of these trucks continue to go with no problems.

im not going to tell you to do it or not to do it, just think about the safety issues created by it not only for yourself but for others you can potentially kill if something does go wrong

 

Sounds bad. More parts to break IMO. Personally, people are against it but I vote hockey pucks. They are made of a similar material as bushings, can be purchased cheap, stiff enough to support the weight of as cab and a bed.

I know of a couple of people that have done it with hockey pucks and they are still alive.

Here is some history on them: http://www.enotes.com/how-products-e...ia/hockey-puck

 

idiots ^

Washer lifts are the way to go. They are less ghetto than bodylifts too. A steel washer will never fail, and are cheap. Lots of ppl think they are ghetto only b/c they don't understand how they work. There is NO safety risk here, ppl over on TRS (where the idea originated 15 years ago) have been doing it for 15 years. Not one failure. Plus they are adjustable.

Countless threads over on TRS about ppl using the washers.

Flame on.


^ its b/c everyone here on RF has the newer style rangers with torsion bars. RF has like 8 times the members that TRS has, but if you want a supportive crowd that knows evverything TTB, head over to TRS. RF is for the newer rangers it seems. And thus all ppl always fear what they don't understand

Go ahead and do it! Put a full 1" of washers under there and see what it does, and if you have enough stud length, I'd even go 1.25" with your heavy 302!

I ran them for 2 years before I switched to taller coils. Basically the same thing.

And for everyone else: a washer lift for the 1991-1997 is analogous to a torsion crank for 1998 and up. Who's ghetto now? We all are so get over it.

 

Heres the deal.

I did it and got 3 inches of usable lift, still aligned to factory.

The axle has a one piece stud that holds the spring perch and spring, most people replace the rod and such for more spacers. I didnt, I used the stock and had plenty of room on it for lotta spacers.

It's THE SAME THING as the rubber or aluminum spacers you order for lift. Except, wait, they're steel.

It's not ghetto, it makes sense and is cheap. a few friends of mine with TTB trucks liked the idea, the same people that used the $65 spacers.

Good idea, cheap. Nuff said. bash it all you want, the way I did mine, using the original stud, there is nothing unsafe about it. nothing at all. It's stock with added washers.

 

pics?

 

I've heard of a few people do this. I've never heard of one failing.

 

Ive done it before. Its actually a pretty nice little leveling kit but nothing more. Its perfect for a tight budget but the only think is if there is any kind of tech inspection on your truck they get a little iffey when they see that

 

1" of washers.

 

I did the same thing with a Hockey Puck till i found bigger coils.

 

Same Idea. Only real draw back is the coil is no longer sitting low on the stud. and if something were to move its more prone to damaging that stud

 

you have a 302 and your cheaping in the lift?

whatsamatterwithyou!

 

would that work with the coils/shocks on my 2000 ranger? haha that seems super simple and super cheap!

 

With all the money it takes to keep gas in it and keep it running I have to. Haha

No, really it was just to experiment to see what I could do with new springs without drop brackets. Kinda like a temp thing.

I ordered some new coils, I'll probably take the washers out when I get the new coils in. Unless I just decide to get drop brackets and bulldog.

As for your 2k Ranger I'm not sure, I don't think it will though. It works with the TTB setups.

But I mean if yo uhave coils anything to space the spring away from the axle or whatever is gonna lift. I would assume.

But I havent delt with any 4wd suspension other than TTB and straight axles. :-P

 

Mines only 2wd lol