So today I recieved a check in the mail for $500 for my first few weeks at my summer job. I am interested in putting it into my truck, (of-freaking-course.)

I have an 03 Ford Ranger 4.0 FX4 XLT

I want to do some sort of a lift kit, so I am pretty much limited, financially, to a body lift...correct? Suspension lifts are upwards of $1000, so my only other option is a body lift...right?

Is it also possible to do a T-Bar crank along with a body lift, is this suggested recommended, etc.

Also, I dont want my truck to look dumb while I am waiting for the cash to come in so I can buy some new tires & wheels (33's/35's.) So will my beloved truck look dumb with the stock 03 FX4 Wheels & Tires w/o larger tires and a 3" body lift?

My dad and I are pretty good with tools so there will be no issue with the labor, (I dont want to get raped with labor costs by Les Shwab.)

Feel free to call me names or whatever, I have probably heard them before, I know this is a pretty basic question.

Pictures might help me decide--maybe a picture of a stock ranger, then one after a body lift, then one with a t-bar crank, etc.

Thanks a ton!!!

 

spindle lift!!! alot of people on here are selling theres... you can get them for like 400$ plus new springs and shocks....

 

Umm he has an Fx4, look at the post, lol.

That sounds like a fine plan, the rims and tires will look a lil small but they wont look stupid.

Suspension lifts are upwards of $1800 and $2300, it gets annoying:)

 

personally i would get a set of rims with the $300 and then get a set of 33x12.5x15 and just crank the t-bars but thats me. something like so
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x8-...90518100QQrdZ1


he has 4x4.....there is no spindle lift

 

yup missed the fx4 part nevermind then

 

i think a body lift is a good purchase, go with 32s or 33s, if youre lucky explorer pro comp does their buy 3 get one free and free shipping sale a few times a year, that would be the way to go on a budget

 

I just spent $335 on body lift, gap gaurds, stick shift extension, and aal so you could do that, and I don't think it would look to bad with the stock tires. However if I were you I would buy tires. 33's fit well stock, 31's would look great also and fit well stock. You could get a set of wheels cheep like some black steelies for like $200 and then you could spend the other $300 on tires not sure if that would be enough for 31's.

 

ok here are some pics personally i would go with 33s and the body lift.

or 33s with no lift.

here is bodylift and stock tires(31s) and wheels



32s and a body lift.



32s and t-bar crank



33s and bodylift



33s and t-bar crank



35s and t-bar crank and body lift.

 

Hey Jamison what part of portland are you in? If I were you I would go with bl and 33's. I think would be the best looking!

 

OOO mmmmm DROOL......

 

that is more than drool zach.

that truck

 

33's stock ooo i love it

 

Wow, all those pictures made me want to go out and start buying!!!

Jeez, there goes my college tuition money... Oh well... I am over it

Thanks for that photo tutorial, that really really really helped, wouldnt make a bad sticky either, might make future "lift wanters" life easier.

THE DECISION:
I think I am going to end up going with a body lift and 32's/33's.
--I could always upgrade with a T-Bar crank a bit later if I come into a bit more dough and am wanting a little extra height.


Did I see that could keep my stock wheels and upgrade to a larger tire?

I hadent even thought that I could do that, that would be my #1 choice I bet, cost effecient, and with the stylish looks of stock ford wheels it would be really cool.

Too bad some little punk in my nieghborhood jacked my little Ford plastic centerpiece out of the middle of my wheel.

And I will probably get raped yet again by the dealer for a replacement. - They wanted me to pay $60 for a new spare key...yeah right

Brad--I live in the Beaverton part of Portland, actually it is the Un-Incorporated section of Portland, in between Hillsboro and Portland and Beaverton...I guess Washington County...But my mailing address is Portland, Oregon 97229

 

PS: Anyone have any advice as to where to order my new gear (when I finalize my decision) from??? I tried doing random google searches and end up getting some small shop that I really dont trust sending my credit card information to...

Any suggestions for online vendors??? So I can start checking out prices, shipping, sales, etc.

THANKS a bunch!!

 

what parts are you needing to order as in the "gear" give us a list

 

Great Question, obviously I dont have my research completely done yet. For now I would like to get the 3" Body Lift in order. I have all the tools required, and I have been looking at kits.

I have an Automatic truck so I dont believe the tranny will need any modification.

Other than that, you guys are the experts. I am going to check out the How-To section to see if anyone has posted a full tutorial. But for now the only real decision that I have made is what I want, now the real concrete research begins!

I was hoping that there was one specific online retailer that I could work with and hopefully work out a bargain on the whole package (What that package include I do not know exactly all the parts and accessories I will need)

--Thanks

Jamison

 

off-topic BUT HOLY hell you own alot of cars/toy's um....they all yours???

 

My dads...He says he would rather spend his money than save it.

Its kind of a thing my family lives by.

Another one of his quotes are: "Its only money, you can always get more."

He is a computer software engineer so he is somewhat nerdy and needs some sort of manly vent, which he I guess gets through cars/atvs/houses.

He is currently looking to get a Chev. 69 Camaro SS/RS, which is one of the rarest cars of that time period.

I just stick to the Ranger. it suits me just fine

 

yes they are nice cars my dad's buddy owns 2

 

Oh I guess were a little ways away. I live in West Linn. I think your the first guy from portland that I have seen on here though. You know of any good wheelin spots in the area? Besides going up to mt. hood.

 

summitracing.com has most of what you are looking for. as far as tires. you have 16inch wheels i imagine. some of the most popular tires sizes ran on the stock wheel, is a 265/75/16(32 inch) and a 285/75/16(33 inch), get the tires at a local tire shop, this way no shipping charges.

 

Great, Thanks a lot! I will check it out.

As far as wheeling spots in the Portland area, I usually head out to Browns Camp on the way out ot the coast on Sunset Highway.

I will hook you up with a PM detailing exactly how to get out there asap.

 

Yah sweet. Is that the same road as the 26? cuz when i go to seaside i take the 26 and sometimes go on some side roads off of there. Mostly logging roads but I just havent found a great spot to go to. That would be awsome if you could pm me some areas where you go.

 

Wholy CARP more Portland people!!!! Now I live in NE pdx, but I use to live in Beaverton near cornell and the sunset highway.

Did you guys see the trail rides and the warn 9.5t articles in this months OR magazine.

As far as what to spend $500. Have you thought about a Bama tuner? If you have an auto trans then it is definitely worth it.

I can let you drive my truck to get an idea of the difference it will make.

Personally I don't think a body lift is worth it unless you realy need to clear more space for the tires, but you can fit 33 x10.5 with no tbar crank and I think you have to crank them a little to get 33x12.5 to avoid rubbing.

 

What trail rides are they? And in what magazine were they in? I would love to get schedules of meets and stuff that is going on around here. I have wanted to do that forever I just never know where to go to get the information for them.