Ok so I have been reading through all the posts on here about the leveling kits for rangers. I have a 2004 XLT 4x2. I have already put a 3" BL on it but all that did was raise it up the the 4x4 stance I want to raise it another 2 inches or so. From what I have read, a leveling kit is the best way (right?). On another thread
(https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...eling+kit+2004)
they were talking about bilstein 5100 shocks for the front and shackles in the back. From what I have been researching it appears you can't put these on a 2004 truck (new design?). I know about spacers but what other options do I have to get a small about of lift? Remember I already have a 3"BL!

 

im pretty sure that tread was in reference to a 150 not a ranger. And sorry i dont know much about 2wd lifting options

 

Yeah I didn't notice that was in the F-150 section but my question still stands. About shocks and other options.

 

Shackles and a T-bar crank will give you some more height, if you haven't cranked them yet.
if you have some deep pockets, get a suspension lift.

 

He is 2wd so no tbars

 

Haha, whoops. missed that.
then you need a spindle lift for the front of your truck. I don't recall anyone having ever achieved any big lift with shocks. i might be wrong, so we'll see if another member chimes in.

 

sounds like the only route is a suspension lift...
but if you go that route, might lift you more than your looking for.. which will make you want bigger tires!

 

Thats what I don't want! haha the tires that is. I just got new Bridgestone H/Ts and don't wanna drop the $$ on more tires lol. I was afraid that suspension is the only way. I read somewhere about leveling springs but they wear out the steering components faster?

 

You should be OK with some leveling springs. There are also spring spacers, which you can get in as little as 1". Since your truck is a 2WD, you don't have to worry about the CV joints. Depending on the spring rate of the leveling springs, you may wear your ball joints a little quicker, but it's not the same situation as cranking up a 4WD truck. The spacers will obviously not have an effect on your spring rate. The spindle lift will keep your control arm geometry the same as stock, but it will give you more lift.

 

So are all spindle lifts like $400? I would rather not spend that much... also with a spindle lift do you need to get a realignment? also do you have to get new spring upfront? and when I shackle or block the rear, I need to get 4x4 shocks correct?

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

With any lift, you need an alignment.

 

$400 is cheap to lift your suspension IMO. I would hate to go cheap on a part of my vehicle that makes it move. Doesn't seem safe to me.

 

True adam. I have been reading some other forums and they mentioned that spindles break often or something? true? So in conclusion:

Spindles: $400 minimum, needs alignment, needs new shocks, does NOT affect ride quality
Spacers: Cheap, needs alignment, Stiffer ride, wears out springs, wears out joints faster
Leveling springs: $100 ish, no alignment, no extra wear, no new shocks
Shackles: Cheap needs new shocks, no change in ride quality
Add-a-leafs: Cheap-ish needs new shocks, stiffer ride, can haul more

Is this all correct??

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

Not quite...
Spacers will not give a stiffer ride. Springs might give a stiffer ride depending on the spring rate. Spacers and springs will both put more wear on ball joints.
Spindles do not require new shocks.

And..

Any lift will require an alignment.

 

Wirelessly posted

Your talking half front end parts and half rear end parts. Do a search for everything and where each part is and all your questions should be answered.

Before you do any of this just read, read, read and when you thjnk you have read it all search more and read more. Then any questions you have ask away

 

I'm in the same situation and want to raise it 2 more inches. My plan is spacers for the front and expo leaves for the back.

 

I know that some are front parts some are rear parts. I'm not that much of a n00b lol. I was just listing all the options i have for front and rear cheaper lifting options.

 

So I know this has gotten about a year and a half old by now but I'm currently working on my recent purchased ranger..1994 ford ranger 2.3L XL 2WD...I just replaced my coil springs and shocks with skyjacker springs and shocks to fix my sag on the driver side..i want to level the ranger so the front is lifted to the same amount my rear is...so i went on ebay and bought a couple of 2" spacers to go under neath the springs..well apparently doing that caused my springs and arms and wheels to bow out....so to fix it i have to either lower the ibeam....but all those parts to do that are too expensive, so looks like im having the spacers removed...what else could i do to level the truck out...the springs i bought are lift springs and i figured they would have raised the front end to where i wanted but no luck there...

 

Look through this page. I think you will find everything you need.

Ford Ranger/Bronco II 2.9 liter Engines