I have an 02 4WD XLT Ranger that I want to level out. How many inches to lift and level the front? What is the best way to do it or the best kit to do it?

 

Cheapest and easiest way is to crank the torsion bars. Its free.

And far as how much is needed to level it, the best way is to measure with a tape measure.

 

^what Adam said.

You can buy torsion keys and have them installed for leveling.

Be sure to research the consequences of torsion bar cranking before you max them out. some people never really have any problems, but some people have their suspension components wear out.

 

How hard is it to install torsion keys?

 

I wouldn't bother with keys, just "crank" the torsion bars.

 

Do a little research on the torsion keys. From what I have read and seen a lot of people hate the torsion keys.

There should be quite a few threads on them here.

 

It's easy to install them but I would just go with cranking. I had very little idea on how to do it and me and a friend had front and rear done in 4 hours. Search is your friend here.

No matter what after, get an alignment!

 

I dont want to max out the torsion bars due to what I've read. What about coil spacers? Then cranking the torsion bars a little?

 

If you have torsion bars you don't have coils. Also, you don't have to max them out to level the front, at least I didn't.

 

What he said.

Best bet is to first measure and see how far off from being level you are. If its only an inch or a half an inch then cranking them is best.

 

I'm about 2-2.25in off

 

thats normal. at least my 02 in 2004 was off by 2inches.

tbars crank is the best way. tbar keys just reindex it so it takes less 'crank' to do the same thing and if you tighten the adjustment nut too much with the 'leveling keys' it makes the ride stupid stiff

 

So you just cranked the t bars 2inches up? How far from maxxing out is that?

 

it depends on which tbars you have and the condition of them.



this was my 02. t-bars maxed and lift shackes for the rear.. the tires in the pic are 32x11.50's

 

Very nice, was that a 3.0 or 4.0? What was ur gas mileage like?

 

I have #1 Bars and new keys it was very cheap and easy as far as installment. But let me tell you my entire front end is shot. I need New UCA with ball joints, Lower ball joints, new tie rods and a driver side axle. I would just do a 1" BL and leave the suspension stock. The work i need alone is $1200

 

So basically Im gathering that there's not a good way to do it? I don't want to rebuild my whole front end because of it...

 

No, it's really not a good way. The truck wasn't intended to be lifted by increasing the preload on the torsion bars. It puts the suspension geometry at some weird angles.

Drop brackets are the best way to get lift in the front. Suspension lifts are expensive and will lift it more than level with the rear though.

 

I know how to shackle the back but how do I shackle the front?

 

You can't, it doesn't have leaf springs. I was referring to a suspension lift, which uses drop brackets to lift the front. It's a different thing and will lift the front much higher than level.

Superlift K358

 

That's pretty expensive...what about a PA 3" body lift?

 

body lift will just lift the body up 3 inches. It will not level it out.

 

Well I'm wanting to put 32s under it so I'm thinking about the PA 3" body lift. So even if I do that the rear will be higher than the front? I measured and the front is almost exactly 3" lower than the rear

 

the measurements you took will be increased 3 inches front and rear.

 

Just crank your t-bars for about 1 to 1.5" of lift and see what you think of the look and the ride... it's fully reversible if you don't like the ride. You can fit 32's under it with a 1" t-bar crank no problem. I found that a 1" t-bar crank doesn't affect the ride much, actually I like the ride better at a 1" crank, but above 1" it starts to get too stiff but that's just my opinion on my particular truck, you'd have to try it yourself and see what you think...