Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.

I have a 2005 Ford Ranger Sport 2wd with the contortion bar. I'm looking to add some performance parts to it and need all your help. My grand plan would be to lift it with either 31x12.5 or 32x12.5 and put a new locker on it to make it essentially a 4wd rig. I have 3 questions:

1) Is the 3 inch body lift from performance lifts a decent route to take? And will it clear 32x12.5? http://performancelifts.com/cgi-bin/cart/PER70033.html


2) Because i have a 2wd rig, i was thinking of putting in a new locker. What should i look into and will this improve off road performance?

3) Are there any other suggestions you might have for me? (It's 2wd because i couldn't swindle my dad into paying a few more bucks for a 4wd 8-( )

Thank you everyone!

 

2wd go with a spindle lift Doestech on ebay! I think the store is suspension max you can also search the net I think they have a website now. Cant beat the price I paid 400-500 for my 3" lift

 

You can fit 32x11.5x15 stock, thats what I'm running and a lot of other guys are too. If you get a body lift run 33x12.5x15s

 

x2 but if i was you i would just do what roach said and get the spindles

 

Well my brother has the spindle with i think 4 inch and 33's and it is just to big for me. i just need something i can use during hunting season but something that wont kill me with everyday driving and gas. thats why i was thinking maximum 32's and the locker upgrade. thoughts?

 

Yeah just run 32s stock and then get a lock-right for the rear. Good combo there.

 

Will i have to worry about rubbing? can't i adjust the tortion bar and get like 2 inches out of it?

 

I wouldn't buy Doestech/Springtech spindles from suspension max...

I had a pair and the spindle snapped right in half when going over a speed bump. I have since bought fabtech's and they are built way better then those ebay brands.

Plus the customer service and support at suspension max is horrible, the guy that runs it has had multiple complaints about his spindles breaking. Definately a hazard.

 

Well i think i only want to run 32's maybe 33's, would a cheap lift be to torque my T-bar and maybe throw on a 1" body, with a possible 2.5 to 3 inch of lift?

 

if you only wanna run 32's id go for the 1"BL and a slight TT crank depending on how much rake you have stock and what bars are in it. cheap, easy, reliable.
i ran 33's with my 1"BL and maxed bars, so you should have no clearance problems.

for a locker i would recommend either powertrax no-slip or an aussie locker. i had a no-slip and it was very quiet on the street. yes it will improve the offroad performance significantly.

 

where can i find the 1" budget lift? is it just in the rear or is it all around?

 

a locker wont equate to a 4wd rig
but it will help out

 

That's 1" body lift. I am running 32's with my t-bars maxed and aal's& shackles(you could do one or the other in the rear) in the rear. It gave me a couple of inches and I have plenty of room for the 32's.

 

some will argue a locked 2wd is better than an open 4wd.

this is his bro. my sig says what i have.

people say that cranking the t-bars will decrease the ride quality, but i dont personally know that.

a body lift would be fine for you because im pretty sure you wont be offroading it like i do. even then a BL would hold up fine.

we want to know if having an automatic locker is a pain to have on a DD and weekend offroader? because people say you cant gas around turns. i was looking at the auburn ected and some have said that a locker might be too hard on a 28 spline axle.

 

I didn't notice any change in ride quality when I maxed mine.