The suspension question of the day
 

I am a fairly new owner of 2004 Ranger FX4 lvl 1. Didn't know about levels until yesturday. Looking for a suspension lift, and I only wanna run 33's. The truck is stock at the moment, just want to give it bigger stance so I can go off roading. Any help?????

well if u want bigger tires, u can just crank the torsion bars a bit to help out..members here can tell u that they're runnin 33's fine on their stock suspension....

now if u just wanna go al out and be jacked up, there are kits out there for it, but it'll cost u a bit....

i would do a search on this topic, its debated a lot on this site

your 3 options are

torsion crank and add a leaf
RCD coilover lift
Superlift torsion bar lift
PA Body lift

do a search for some of those so the whole debate doesnt get started all over again!

What the heck is a Level I?
Do you have an FX4?

Now regarding your tires, I have been asking this same question for days and can tell you this.
It is not so much the tire height as the width that causes problems.
For me a 4x4 lift is not in the budget, but I do want some bigger mud tires.
I am going to go with 33x10.5 BFG M/T and hope I will not even have to crank up the torsion bars.
Others that are running the same have had very little or no rubbing problems.

Now forget about that Level I stuff unless you want to be in the club with the FX2 crowd.
Fun, but it is not a real Ford moniker. :wink:

There are 2 fx4's since 2002.
In 2002 there was the offroad package and the fx4 offroad package...
now there is fx4 level 1 and fx4 level 2
The level 2 gets all the goodies like 31spline axle bilsteins etc.
I forget what the level 1 gets... maybe skid plates and .... umm someone help me out here...

Rand

Neil's point is that the '03+ FX4 is not accutally officially labeled 'level 1'. I think it's a reasonable term to use to help keep things straight. Somebody at Ford really does deserve a charlie-horse for the whole FX4 naming bit..

'03+ FX4s are basically '02- ORPs, as you mentioned. That means 28-spline 8.8" rears w/ a conventional clutch LS, the 4.0L V6, supercab, and 4x4. Also I think the tilt wheel w/ cruise was standard. I know I had to go FX4 or better if I wanted cruise and wanted to shop from dealer stock.

I have never seen an FX4 Level I - not at the dealer or in the brochure
IMHO calling it a Level I is even more confusing it's a Ranger FX4
for 2004 with that package you got above the Ranger XLT content

2 skid plates | 2 tow hooks | black nostril grill with chrome surround
chrome bumpers | black wheel lip moldings (styleside only)
245/75-16 tires | premium gas shocks | fog lamps | shift on the fly 4x4
side step bars | LS rear | black guage cluster with white accents
AM/FM stereo CD player w/ clock | carpeted flooring with mats
60/40 seat | PEG | A/C

Some of those items are actually deleted in a Level II - some are just different
For 2004 an FX4 was available only in a super cab and with a 4.0

On some sites, the term 'Level I' is used to differentiate a 2003+ FX4 Off Road from a 2003+ FX4 Level II. It is not an official Ford model designation.

I have a 2000 XLT with the Offroad package which, from what I understand, is the same as your FX4. I currently have 265/75/16 on my truck which is roughly equivalent to a 32"x10.50 in height and I do not have any issues with rubbing. There is a shiny spot on the upper control arms, but I have yet to hear any rubbing or see a mark on the tire. I have read in many places that 285/75/16 will fit with minor rubbing and those are roughly equivalent to a 33x12.50 in height but I couldn't get my tire shop to attempt mounting them.

285/75r16s are about an 11.25 wide.


305/70r16 or about 12.50 wide.

I think this crime calls for more serious punishment --> http://www.geocities.com/bat3193/smiley4/wedgie.gif

Yeah I have an FX4 suprisingly enough. Well hey there are 2 levels. Like I said fairly new at this. Just looking for some adviceand hey every bit counts

Dave, a previously active member here reports that 33x10.5 tires work quite nicely on his '02 FX4 ('03+ FX4 LII equiv). He has commented that the width is what kills things for 33x12.5's..

Well we shall see what happens. I appreciate the help, sorry to confuse some of you with "LEVELS"

you can't confuse us :newbie:

Width is definatley the issue as just the normal Edge plus rims and tires scrap in hard corners on my stock height XLT. The FX4's are quite tall, so you should be okay unless you make the width too wide. It's amazing what you can cram under the fender, if you get the size right.

all in all it comes down to the backspacing of your rim and wut the offset and weight of tire might do to your drivetrain/suspension. with factory wheels you are definitely going to rub with 12.50 IF you can find anyone that will mount them on a 7" width rim. i believe, dont quote me on this, you can fit 12.50s with a 3"-3.5" backspacing or less. ofcourse, with your tire now stickin out farther then a two day old turtle head(is that possible? lol) you are reaking(sp) havoc on the stock components.