hey everybody im new here and just had a few questions. right now im shopping for a ford ranger, im planning on lifting and ive been shopping around on suspension lifts. whats a better truck to buy a 2x4 or a 4x4, im not planning on doing any off roading with this truck im more interested in the looks of a lifted ranger. while shopping i noticed that there are more kits for a 2x4 than the 4x4, why is that? i want to get at least 6-8 inches of suspension alone so whats the better truck for me.

 

i, myself, own a 4x4 ranger and i live in florida. i rarely use my 4 wheel drive but the few times ive needed it, i wouldnt want to settle for anything else. as far as the lift kits...... there are more lift kits for 2wd because there are fewer parts that need to be relocated. in the end it is cheaper to buy, own, and to upgrade a 2wd. cheaper initially, insurance, fuel, parts.... you jus have to ask yourself is it worth the extra money?

 

sorry for the stupid question, what do you mean by worth the extra money if everything is cheaper. sorry im really new at this whole ranger thing prior to this i owned a lifted s10 blazer that gave me a load of problems when lifting it. i recently sold it and am now in the process of buying a ranger.

 

talk to 97ranger hes the street queen rangerrrr

 

owning a 4wd cost more in every aspect. from the initial cost, to the insurance, fuel, parts, maint. just every thing. just look at it this way the more you have the more it will cost and the more chances of something going wrong. as far as your need/want of a 4wd, you just have to ask yourself.......is it worth spending the money?

 

4x4 is great for resale value... I don't use mine often, but I'm always glad to have it when I need it. It's the same reason I carry a handgun... It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

With that being said, lift options for a 2wd ranger are CHEAP! You would probably be happy with a 2wd extended cab with the 4.0L motor.

 

i agree with the better to have it and not need it. i have a lifted 2wd, and most of my buddies drive 4x4's. i end up sitting on the sidelines or treading lightly. its completely up to you. if i would have known i was going to be this INTO my truck, i'd have bought 4x4. but to each his own...

 

thanks guys. man this forums rock any other forum a newbie like me would have probably gotten flamed for the lame questions im asking. now is it a bad idea to lift a 3.0 rather than the 4.0 most people recommend. im planning on just running 31s

 

No you can lift a 3.0 all day long just make sure to regear to keep the stock power. A lot of guys hate on the 3.0 but its a strong dependable motor. If you get a EDGE or a Sport it will be stock height and you can run 31s fine with no lift. I have a EDGE and I'm running 32s with a 3.0 on the stock 4.10 gearing and its a great combo, I have no problems with it.

 

thanks blackedge, now the final question what do you guys think about the fabtech 5.5 suspension?

 

It depends if your going to get a coilsprung suspension truck or a torsion bar one. Do you know what truck your getting yet? The Fabtech lift only works on the coilspring trucks. Theres a 3" spindle lift for the 2wd torsion bar suspension trucks but thats it. Then theres the 4" superlift and 5.5" RCD for the 4wd torsion bar trucks. Then theres the 3" body lift for all Rangers.

 

im lookin at this kit from fabtech for the 98 2x4

FABKIT287
5.5 in. Ultimate Kit with Performance Shocks
2.5 in. Front Coil Springs3 in. Front Spindles2 in. Rear Block and U-Bolt Kit2 in. Rear Add-A-Leaf KitUpper Control Arms with Pre-installed Ball JointsAlignment Cam and Bolt kit4 cal, 3.0 Liter and V6 Motor OnlyIncludes Performance ShocksKit Color is Classic Blue

 

Are you dead set on a 2wd? Do you plan on doing any wheeling?

 

no not really into off roading, i just like the look of the lifted rangers. so i want to get ranger thats cheap to lift, and apparently by the look at everyones responses a 2x4s the way to go. i just want to know if this fabtech kit is good or does anybody have this lift installed.