BlauSplash
Feb 12 2005, 10:43am
Ok here is a general information post on dropping a 98+ ranger. this will include parts and what they do for you. If you feel I left someting out please post or Pm me and I will add it on the list.
98 to 05 truck are different than the 83 to 97 conterparts in a few ways. Mainly the suspension in front is the biggest difference you will see here.
the 98 + trucks use a long arm short arm front suspension similar to dare I say an S-10. They have upper and lower control arms and a coil spring.
To drop the front you have a few options. your choices are as follows.
Dropped control arms will get you 2 inches when combined with a stock spring. these constsist of a tubular upper arm and a tubular lower arm with a 2 inch deeper coil spring pocket.
2 inch and 3 inch drop springs. These replace the stock springs and will get you the aforementioned drop.
WARNING:Some people have installed 3 inch coils by them selves and have not been able to get a perfect alignment.
Combinations:
You can combine a 2 inch coil spring with a set of dropped control arms and get a good alignment and about a 4 inch drop in front. this set up comes in a kit form from DJM suspension in athe 4/5 drop kit.
If you feel the 4 inch front drop is not enough you can use the 3 inch drop spring with the arms and get a 5 inch drop in front. Still there are some alignment issues, but the upper arm will help.
Ok now for the rear end. In back the trucks have a leaf spring pack and a rear axle mounted on the bottom of the pack. You have a few options here.
Install lowered leaf springs. This will get you 2 to 3 inches. It is accomplished by buying lowered leafs and replacing te leaf pack on each side.
Install a flip kit. This will get you 4 to 5 inches of drop and is the most popular and common way to drop the rear end. This is accomplished by removing the leafs and replacing them under the axle and installing a flip bracket to hold the axle in place and bolt it back up. There is much more detail to the installation than what I mentioned but that is it in a nutshell. this is the part that comes with the DJM 4/5 drop kit.
3 Inch rear drop kit from DJM. this kit will be the same as the flip kit above except it comes with a 2 inch lifting shackle to rasie the rear end back up 1 or 2 inches depending on the holes you use.
NOTE: If you use the 3 inch kit you cannot flip the rear hangers.
Lowering blocks are placed between the axle and leaf springs and require replacing the u bolts. Doing this will raise the mounting point of the axle. Here is the catch. You canot use them on a ranger unless you have already installed a flip kit which places the axle on top of the leaf spring pack.
You can also flip the rear hangers over and install the shackle upside down for 2 inches. this is done by grinding the rivits out of the rear hangers, bolting them back on upside down, and then twisting the shackle on the leaf pack to where it points down and bolting it back on. Again not total install instructions but generally speaking here it is.
98 to 05 truck are different than the 83 to 97 conterparts in a few ways. Mainly the suspension in front is the biggest difference you will see here.
the 98 + trucks use a long arm short arm front suspension similar to dare I say an S-10. They have upper and lower control arms and a coil spring.
To drop the front you have a few options. your choices are as follows.
Dropped control arms will get you 2 inches when combined with a stock spring. these constsist of a tubular upper arm and a tubular lower arm with a 2 inch deeper coil spring pocket.
2 inch and 3 inch drop springs. These replace the stock springs and will get you the aforementioned drop.
WARNING:Some people have installed 3 inch coils by them selves and have not been able to get a perfect alignment.
Combinations:
You can combine a 2 inch coil spring with a set of dropped control arms and get a good alignment and about a 4 inch drop in front. this set up comes in a kit form from DJM suspension in athe 4/5 drop kit.
If you feel the 4 inch front drop is not enough you can use the 3 inch drop spring with the arms and get a 5 inch drop in front. Still there are some alignment issues, but the upper arm will help.
Ok now for the rear end. In back the trucks have a leaf spring pack and a rear axle mounted on the bottom of the pack. You have a few options here.
Install lowered leaf springs. This will get you 2 to 3 inches. It is accomplished by buying lowered leafs and replacing te leaf pack on each side.
Install a flip kit. This will get you 4 to 5 inches of drop and is the most popular and common way to drop the rear end. This is accomplished by removing the leafs and replacing them under the axle and installing a flip bracket to hold the axle in place and bolt it back up. There is much more detail to the installation than what I mentioned but that is it in a nutshell. this is the part that comes with the DJM 4/5 drop kit.
3 Inch rear drop kit from DJM. this kit will be the same as the flip kit above except it comes with a 2 inch lifting shackle to rasie the rear end back up 1 or 2 inches depending on the holes you use.
NOTE: If you use the 3 inch kit you cannot flip the rear hangers.
Lowering blocks are placed between the axle and leaf springs and require replacing the u bolts. Doing this will raise the mounting point of the axle. Here is the catch. You canot use them on a ranger unless you have already installed a flip kit which places the axle on top of the leaf spring pack.
You can also flip the rear hangers over and install the shackle upside down for 2 inches. this is done by grinding the rivits out of the rear hangers, bolting them back on upside down, and then twisting the shackle on the leaf pack to where it points down and bolting it back on. Again not total install instructions but generally speaking here it is.