Rancho 2.5" to Superlift 5.5" switch

[Ken Cooke]

I am changing lifts. My Rancho 2.5" lift has been on my Ranger since March '97. Since then, I've gone through a full set of RS 5000's and a steering stabilizer. Now, my drivers side rear add-a-leaf is beginning to sag (1/2"). My plan is to replace the add-a-leaf as a warranty replacement, and put the lift on EBay since I'm not sure the rest of the lift will begin to deflate.
What I want to know is, what is the springrate like on the Superlift 5.5" lift? Does anyone know exactly? Does this kit articulate well with 33's? Anyone have RTI numbers? How much extra did the radius arms cost, and are they easy to install yourself? I want to run the SuperSwamper 33" SSR's that spec out at 33.4"OD. These would require a 5.5" and the 2" body lift I now have should help out considerably. I might even consider 35x12.5x15's with this amount of lift. Thanks for your reply.

 

[RobbieJ]

Hey guy what are you asking for your old rancho lift? I'm really intrested. I've been looking for a small used lift for a quite some time.If I could get first dibbs that would be cool. As far as the 5.5 superlift I'm not sure what the spring rate is but I know the springs do "settle" a buddy of mine had them on his 94 ranger and after he put steel bumpers and a 8000lb winch he could still clear his 33x12.5 -15s on 15x10s but It looked funny. He replaced the coils with 6" skyjacker coils. They don't flex quite as much but they do hold a load. Im not exactly sure when it was but a couple months ago there was a thread about getting more flex out of the 5.5 superlift. I think I have a print out of it and if I do I'll post the specifics so you can find it. Hope this helps Robbie J

 

[Ken Cooke]

I've been checking the cost of the Superlift that would be comparable to the lift I now have, and with rear leaf springs, radius arms, and the front lift (no superrunner), the total would be around $1,100! If I asked $450 for my lift, that would still be a good amount of cash, plus with tires, we're looking at another $750. I have to weigh my options - I am also thinking about runnning coil spacers and new National Spring rear leafs. I could run my 33" SSR's, but at a considerable savings. I'm getting married in April, up in Joshua Tree, and I want to run Rockhouse for my bachelor party. I ran a rocky arroyo in Mexico a few weeks back, and had some pretty big difficulties thanks to my pee wee 32" TSL-SX's. The SSR's spec out at the size of most people's 34" tires. I'll let you know if I can afford another lift.

Thanks,

-Ken

 

[RangerX]

Ken, I've had my Rancho lift since 3/96. My left rear sags a bit, but everyone's does, cuz of the gas tank. My coils have settled quite a bit, but I can still wheel with 35" BFG's, and highway drive with 37"s. Have you trimmed your fender openings? It's a much better idea than more lift.

 

[Ken Cooke]

Rancho is Too $hort

Ranger X,

I accidently started a new thread instead of posting a reply. Anyways, I want to keep the overall price down since I'm getting married in April, and I need to save all of the money as possible. Keeping the Rancho lift, adding some coil spacers, and trimming a little of the 'wells back might be the econo way to go.
I think it sucks that my truck leans to the drivers side now. I'm not into the Sport Truck/Show B.S., but I like my truck to look like it's not asleep. I was afraid that it was flattening out since I take the Ranger on these insane trips to the desert and Baja each month, but still, when will the springs settle and stop sagging? I'll just have to keep an eye on things for now.

 

[Scott B.]

Ken,

My Rancho add-a-leafs sank in about a year. I replaced them with National springs (inverted spring hanger, 3" of lift, remove factory lift block) These springs have 12 leaves and ride really smooth.

One problem with Rancho front coils is the spring rate. Rancho sells a single coil to fit all the Rangers - there is quite a weight range in factory Rangers. I replaced my coils with a taller/higher spring rate spring under warrenty. I think the springs are from the Explorer kit. Anyway, they haven't settled too much - I do run 2 coil spacers, though.

Speaking of Rancho, have either of you bent your radius arm mounting brackets? Rancho claims they are strong enough, but several of us out here have bent them (yes, some were due to abuse, but mine wasn't) I have welded a plate to mine to reinforce them - now the frame will bend first!! (OK, slight exaggeration)

 

[Ken Cooke]

Rancho coils/leafs

Scott-
How did you get ahold of these springs? Did Rancho supply these longer coils? My Ranger is the 4.0 liter XLT version, so it is quite heavy. No, I have not bent any Radius arm brackets either. Could you tell me more about how you mounted these two coil spacers? Is one mounted above, and the other below? How much total lift do you now have? I would like to know more about this. Thanks for any information,

 

[SteveVB]

Ken, you may want to do a search of the site, a while back someone(Paul ?)converted the 2.5" rancho to a 4 or 5" to run 33's. It was on an Explorer- which would be the same except for the rear springs. You may find some useful info if you can find the thread.

Try a search on Rancho suspension.

 

[RangerX]

Scott, I bent mine, and they were replaced without hassle. One side was just slightly bent, the driver's side bent back about an inch. So far so good with the new pair!

 

[Scott B.]

Bill,

Did Rancho replace yours under warrenty?? They wouldn't replace mine. I had to cough up $50.00 ro replace it. Oh well - I'll never need to do that again!!!

Ken,

Yes, Rancho supplied the new coils. My local dealer looked in the catalog for a taller/stronger spring, and got Rancho to replace/exchange them. I'll get you Rancho's model number if you want (I have to go look for it). My truck is the XLT, extra cab, automatic, 4.0L, so it is quite heavy too.

The coil spacers are from SuperLift - they are 1/4" steel plate, cut into disks, with holes in the center. They all go between the spring and traction beam. You can put up to 2 under the bolt head of the bolt mounting the top of the radius arm to the traction beam. These spacers have round holes punched in them. You can put 1 additional spacer on top of the other 2, even with the bolt head. This spacer has a hex hole punched in it. Once the spacers are on, install the spring as usual.

3 spacers yield just over an inch of lift measured at the fenderwell.

As for total lift, my front is up about 5 inches, the rear about 3. The truck sits fairly level. When I get my new rear end swapped in, the back should be up another inch or so. My front end is also alignable, with 2 degree bushings installed.