I have lowered my fair share of import cars, but I have never lowered a truck. I have a 2002 Ranger XLT 2wd that is about to run up on its warranty. I have already replaced the wheels with 17x8 Bullitt and now want to lower it. I have found a decent lowering kit (I think) and would like some info. I am not too sure on what I need to do, but I do know what I dont want to do.

I would like a 2-3" drop in front and a 3-4" drop in back. The kit i found claims a 2.5" drop in front with just a coil and shock replacement and the rear is a 4" with a mono leaf (I think that is what it is called) and shock replacement. I DO NOT want to use a flip kit. From what I have read, I would have to notch the frame and I really wouldnt want to do that. I am trying to get out of it as cheap as possible, but also as safe and as 'unghetto' as possible. I have money to spend, but its only a 10k truck brand new, so I dont wanna spend alot. Plus, if I had to, i would like to return to stock without any major 'damage' to the truck from lowering it.

I am sorry for the long post, but lowering a truck is something new to me. Kind of funny, but I passed on buying a corvette to mod my truck. Well, wife made me, but that has nothing to do with it. =)

BTW, my name is Brad. Thanks for allowing me to your forums. I have been reading the last couple of weeks since i started looking for mods for my truck. I will get some pics and update my info when I am not so tired. Its nothing special. Run of the mill Ranger, but I wanted something a little more interesting than a stock truck.

Thanks again.

*edit* If this is wrong forum, I am sorry. I just realized there was a suspension forum.

 

alright, accouple things....


using a flip kit doesnt mean you have to have a notch, and they also have bolt in notchs for about 50bucks that allow you to cut it out and bolt the notch in, I have one on my truck just for extra travel...

also, I would not recomend a lowering mono leaf, compared to a flipkit, they ride like ****, lose payload, leans (side to side) alot easier, and a flipkit will actually help elimiate axle hop..

and if you plan to throw on some 17s or 18s, i would recomend a 4/5 drop, or a 5/5, but the 4/5 is cheaper, and one of the lowest bolt on drops. A 2/3 or a 3/4 is ok, but most people wanna go lower after that and then have to spend more money on parts. I myself have gone from a 2/3 to a 4/5 to a 5/5.


If ya have more exact questions, feel free to ask them, or even hit me up on iM, my screen name is Imtiredofthinkin


GoodLuck

ScottG

 

I am only looking at lowering so that the wheels and tires on my truck 'look' stock. I dont want the fender edges looking like they are sitting on the tires. A 2.5" drop in front and a 4" in back looks like it will give my truck the same clearance my wife's mustang has. As of right now, the gap inbetween the top of the tire and the fender egde is huge and looks silly. I could have went with a larger tire, but then it would have made the wheel look smaller than it actually was. Plus, with a 2.5"/4" drop, I would think I could still move things and such. I also have a boat I pull sometimes and dont want to effect that. Some links to a nice lowering kit would be nice. I dont know all of what I am lookin for, so any more help would be nice. I have done a search on this sight for lowering info, but the things I found didnt answer the questions I had. Thanks for the info you have given, Gay-briel, but since I am completely new to lowering trucks, more info is needed to make me feel comfortable with a purchase.
Thank you,
Brad

 

For more info on lowering your Edge go to www.Rangerpowersports.com .:)

 

^ dude, we have more than enough member that can answer his questions.. no need to refer him...

 

In your case, since you don't want your tires to "tuck", I would start of with something like a 2-3. If you get those lowered leafs, yes they may not ride that well but you can compensate the ride with some good shocks. Bell-tech Nitro drop shocks are supposped to be really nice. You might even want to think about getting some air-shocks in the rear because you said you sometimes pull a boat. You can get some lowered control arms which will give you a 2" drop, then do lowered leafs out back. About a 2-3 or so. Or you could get lowered arms with 2 or 3 inch coils to get a 4 or 5" drop in front. If you go with 3" coils it may be very hard to get a good aligment. For places to buy kits, check out www.stylinconcepts.com I've heard when you place your order if by phone you say your a new customer they give you 10% off. Or you could go to www.godfathercustoms.com I have heard they are the cheapest but rape you on shipping. You really don't need that notch your talking about until you get about a 5" drop in the back. Usually a 4" flip kit will give you that 5" drop. Since you don't want a notch, I would not get a flip kit. When I had my 5 inch drop, I slapped axle a lot!, now I have about a 7" drop in rear w/ notch and it rides very well. Hope that helps, welcome! Anymore Q's please ask.

 

he said he had an 4x2 xlt, not edge...


and not to knock it, but and coil arm ranger drop questions, i know the answer or at least can get the answer in a few moments

 

Ok, Ride n'low gave me some good links and i think I found what i was looking for.

For the rear, I think this would serve my needs:

http://www.godfathercustoms.com/catalog_build_part.cgi?cat=Suspension&subcat=Flip% 20Kits&ocats=Air%20Suspension:Godfather%20Customs: Lighting:Exterior:Apparel%20and%20Accessories:Conv enience%20and%20Safety:Engine%20Performance:Interi or:Suspension&subsubcat=3"%20Rear%20Flip%20Kit&par t=DJMFK3098-3&vehicle_year=2002&vehicle_model=Ford:Ranger&uni= #

And for the front, I think this would be fine (would allow me to align it without replacing control arms):

http://www.godfathercustoms.com/catalog_build_subsubcategory.cgi?cat=Suspension&su bcat=Coil%20Springs&subsubcat=2"%20Front%20Coil%20 Springs&ocats=Air%20Suspension:Godfather%20Customs :Lighting:Exterior:Apparel%20and%20Accessories:Con venience%20and%20Safety:Engine%20Performance:Suspe nsion:Interior&vehicle_year=2002&vehicle_model=For d:Ranger

If anyone has better ideas, I am open for suggestions. Keep in mind, I am not slamming my truck, I just want the 245/45R17's to look stock and not have so much of a fender gap.

 

Ok, I got some pics of my truck today. Not clean, it rained yesterday and last night. You will have to wade through a few vacation pics.

*edit* http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brad_k....net/my_photos

(i dont know how to post pics in the thread or I would)

 

The one you put up was a flip-kit with lifting shackles if im not mistaken. It talks about a c-notch, but don't worry, you won't need one for that. The coils look pretty good! Also, good looking truck! Other than that you should be ok, good luck!

 

What about this set-up? Decent price?

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/.../K3098-23.html

Also, I am sure it would be better if i did replace the shocks, but do you think the factory shocks will be ok in a 2/3 set-up?

 

i ran stock shocks on my 2/3 for almost a year, never had a problem, just means you are compressing them more then usual, and can blow them quicker

 

oh and this:



is not a 2/3 its is a 4/5

 

oh! and stylinconcepts has that kit for 30 dollars less

 

I had stock shocks on my 3/4 for a few months, it was fine. If you don't want to spend a whole lot of money on shocks, I would suggest Monroe.

 

Called to order my 2/3 lowering kit today and the guy said that the rear would be slamming my bumb stops. Anyone know if this is true? Input please.

 

just take them out, or cut them

 

^^^ what he said

u think u have a lot of problems lowering u're truck...at least u have coil springs...torsion bars suck...

 

they make aftermarket ones that are half the size

 

Havent ordered the 2/3 yet, but just to see how much it would cost, I checked a place here in Dallas called Drop Zone. 3/4 drop with notced frame and 4 shocks for 1100 dollars? Any good? I dont know how much it costs to pay someone to lower your truck =)

 

Buy some lowering springs for the front, and on the rear, drill out the rivets and flip the shackle hangers unless they are already flipped on an xlt.

 

That place just rips people off... I know someone that used to work there..

 

My god 1100? Thats insane. notch-45 springs- 110 rear- (meathod??) 50-150 thats about 300 in parts. they are ripping you off. hell, i paid 250 to put lowered i-beams and a flip kit on which is a lot more of a ***** than a-arms.

 

I ended up buying the 2/3 from www.stylinconcepts.com . Thanks for the link, Ride n'low. Best deal I could find and I really think I can do it myself. I still need to find some spacers for the front wheels. I think I need a 7/16 to make the center caps fit with the Bullitt Wheels, but I would feel better if a 5/16 would fit. Anyone know?

 

Cool man! BTW, my name is Nick. Im not too sure about the spacers. On my 18"s ive got about an inch spacer in the front to clear the hub, lol