Coil Spacers vs. Torsion Twist?!

[ozark705]

Hello all, new member and love the boards. Great stuff! I have recently decided to upgrade my tires on my truck, now running 31x10.5 with stock suspension. I am wanting to lift the front end of my truck about 1" -1.5" and have been debating the best route (and cheapest if possible!). When I got my new tires put on, the tech said that he wouldn't install the 1" coil spacers I purchased (1" Supper Rubber Coil - Mr. Gasket) stating that I would have to "cut rivets, purchase new shocks, etc." So I was somewhat leery about putting in the coil spacers.

However, I have talked to several people and have been searching on the site for insight into coil spacers on my truck. I haven't found anything saying that they wouldn't fit (nothing about cutting rivets, requiring the purchase of new shocks, etc). The only constant theme recommended has been getting it realigned after the coil spacers have been inserted (these are the ones that go in between the coils).

Nonetheless, I have read that doing a torsion twist could get me an extra inch or two in the front end and only requires "shackles" to purchase. I have no idea if my 94 Ranger 4WD has torsion bars to twist. (Sorry, bit a novice!) Any help or advice for the best and perhaps cheapest route to lifting the front end of my truck, I would be much obliged. Sorry for the long post, love the site and everyone's pics. I should be uploading some new ones soon. Got some great snow last week and got to break in the new tires. Thanks!

 

[unclemeat]

You do not have torsion bars. You have coil springs. Torsion bars came after 98 on the Ranger. Torsion bars are the "spring" for the front a-arm suspension. A torsion bar uses the twisting of the bar for the traditional spring effect.

Your truck can be lifted 1 to 2-inches very inexpensively. Spring spacers in the front, and longer spring shackels in the rear. You will need an alienment and I believe longer (new) shocks. There is lots of info on this site about the coil spacer and shackle lift, use the search feature, and good luck.

 

[ozark705]

Thanks for the info I will keep checking the other threads for any info on coil spacers and new springs. I was just perplexed that if I put 1" coil spacers that I would have to do alot of mods, other than alignment. Perhaps the tech didn't want to install the coil spacers, it was friday afternoon! It just doesn't seem that hard to do, other than the fact I don't have any jack stands. Again, thanks for the info!

 

[RangerX]

IMO, you would be fine installing the 1" spacers you already have. Your shocks will be fine. You MAY need an alignment. It's easy enough to do yourself, that you could try it, and remove them if you don't like it.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[unclemeat]

You may want to replace the shocks, especially if the are the factory originial.

 

[ozark705]

So you think the 1" spacers I have would suffice? I have them ready to go, but they're no instructions on installing them from the company. From other threads, I have found that you need to have a couple of jack stands to "unload" the spring to insert the coil spacer (the kind that goes in-between the coils). But are there any other tools I may need to put them in? I have been searching the site for any info on installing the type of spacers I have, but still no luck. I'll keep searching and thanks for all the help!

Oh yea, what would be some good shocks (brand) to put up front? Or do you think that I will be okay with my shocks I have now. I replaced the originals back in 2000, I only have 98k on it.

 

[4x4junkie]

DON'T use spacers that go in between the coils! Those things are dangerous (they can pop out, becoming a missile) and may damage the coil as well (same goes for the kind that clamp onto the side of the coil).

The spacers you want to use go UNDERNEATH the coil spring, and will not stiffen up the ride or cause damage to the spring.
They can be had in the form of 2WD F-150 mounts, or you can make some by stacking some large washers over the axle mount as well.

 

[ozark705]

Are these the spacers you are referring to? I found this on another site: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/factoryspacer.htm

Perhaps this setup is better than the coil spacers you are talking about?

Thanks!

 

[4x4junkie]

Yep, those are the F-150 pieces I referred to. They're right about 1.25" thick, which gives a bit under 2" lift on a Twin-Beam suspension.

 

[ozark705]

Put in the order today, gonna run me $50. I guess that is a good price?! I will hopefully have them on by the end of the week, with new Rancho shocks as well. Thanks for the info!

 

[justin_z]

Ok i saw this thread and its helped me alot but i do wanna ask a quston in reguard to this topic and its probably a dumb question. the spacers will work on a 4WD ? and if so where can i find some to add 3 inches? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Explorer Junky]

You should only need longer travel shocks if you go over 2.5" of lift. Alignment YES! I would only replace shocks if they are junk. As far as shackles.. I would stay away from them. You could get almost 2" of lift with AAL. They will settle over time to about 1.5". Shackles, I have been told by a suspension pro are a bad and dangerous way to get an inch or so of lift. Or for less tha a 100 bucks or so, you could get your springs re-arched.