RCD RANGER 4" coilover kit for "4x4" !!

[sirhk100]

Yeah, it's adjustable. I think we're marketing it as a 5" kit. I'm pretty sure the rear will be lifted 5" so you can run it level, prerunner, or stink bug, whatever you like. It's adjusted just as Spive said with a spanner wrench that will be supplied in the kit. MAKE SURE if you have it installed by a shop to get the spanner wrench from them. Most mechanics will try to pocket it. Then if you want to adjust the height you get to buy one or pay them to use your spanner wrench and adjust it.

Khris

 

[Xplodor]

So will we need a new front driveshaft with the RCD kit? What is RCD developing for the rear, new spring pack?

If RCD is supplying an optional driveshaft with the kit, kindly have them produce a percentage of them prior to releaseing/selling the kit on the market. I remember when I purchased the superlift, and I called superlift themselves, and asked when the driveshaft will be off of back order, they said they didn't know because they haven't even ordered them to be manufactured yet!!! This was like 7/15/02 when they told me.

 

[soupbone]

From what ive read no new front driveshaft is needed. 2dr sports will have to get the rear driveshaft extended when doing SOA 5.5 -6"

Use the superlift 91-94 SOA kit or buy your own perches. both need to be welded on from what i have read.

Or get National 5.5" leaf pack or custom Deavers.

I want to keep my stock 4dr leafs for SOA. Just gonna get new bushings pressed in.
Ive got hung up on rear shock mounts plenty of times as well as torsion bars. SOA will get rid of that.

 

[Rx4phun]

This is some what off topic and please dont flame me to bad if thisis really stupid but say you took a larger than stock spring pack, like the trailmaster 4" and then did a SOA to get ~5"would there be anything you could do to raise the front that much. You would get the 5" from the kit, but what about the other 4". I know the driveshaft issue would be interesting but I was just wondering this. Do the guys who do a SAS up front on the 95+ do this in the rear to get the higher. I dont want this thread to get off topic but didnt want to start a new one.

 

[sirhk100]

I don't know about how to get that extra height outta the front end to match the rear. Sorry.....

The rear (for Rangers) is going to consist of a block and an add-a-leaf. I think it's going to be a 4" block if my memory is right and then the leaf will get the extra height to match the front. The sweet setup (Bilstein did it on their truck) would be to get a custom leaf pack made.

No drive shaft mods should be needed. At least we havn't ran into any problems that I'm aware of.

Khris

 

[jasonb]

i just wish i knew even a ballpark price so i could decide if i can afford it or to go ahead and do something else! oh well..
thanks for keeping us posted khris. any closer to a release time? have they got ahold of the bilstien folks yet? thanks.

 

[taxx]

No drive shaft mods should be needed. At least we havn't ran into any problems that I'm aware of.

THis isn't necesarily true. Since it requires the 5" in the rear on a 2 door you will need the rear shaft lengthened. With the sway bar on and driving on road you may (I said may) be ok, but I wouldn't risk it. Off road you definetely need a longer shaft. As soon as you droop the rear end that shaft is coming out. 4 doors may be alright, crawl under there and look at where it is riding at the slip part of the shaft then take it apart and see how much is left.

For the front, don't mess around. You'll regret it. Go to a shop and have one mad or have the factory one lengthened removing the CV joint for a u-joint. $300 - $400 in custom driveshaft work is a lot cheaper than a new front diff, and is a lot easier than driving home in front wheel drive since your rear shaft seperated.

 

[sirhk100]

I'm assuming you're talking Explorer? If not then definately let me know if what you're saying is for Rangers.

For those who havn't been with this thread for like hte past 80 pages. We are only marketing this kit for Rangers. We've never tested on an Explorer and don't know that it'll work. Many here say it will so take their word for it if you want. Don't say we told you so though cause we didn't. We're not marketing it towards Explorers. I'm not getting into it for my own reasons though. If you want some insight go back a couple pages and read...

I'll say from me, thanks to all that have been patient with us. We're busier then we ever imagined and are making due with what we have. We're also trying to learn with our mistakes (showing public kits WAY too early).

 

[taxx]

I'm assuming you're talking Explorer? If not then definately let me know if what you're saying is for Rangers.

Yes I am talking explorers

 

[soupbone]

For all their kits I see "No drive shaft modifications needed." Ford or Chevy...... I dont think we need new front driveshafts but Sports will need extended ones in the rear. Thats where this kit differs with Trailmaster and your Superlift kit...

We have the same front frame/suspension as 98+ rangers... the rear is totally differnt

 

[CoryL]

I would suggest a new front driveshaft to be made using u-joints instead of a CV joint as it doesn't have enough deflection to handle a 4" lift, let alone a 5" lift.

 

[soupbone]

I dont belive they drop the diff 4 - 5" inches. Well at least not the F150 5" kit ive seen here at work in the lot.

Khris whats the final word from RCD with the ranger front shaft? How much do you drop the diff on average with your lifts?

 

[sirhk100]

Ummm, I'll try to remember to check into the driveshaft thing on Monday. I know for a fact that none of our kits require drive shaft mods (so far). Actually the only one that could use one is a kit that's not out yet, it'll actually probably be the next one manufactured since we've just finished the fit test on it. It's for 88-98 8 lug chevy 4WD. We through in a little 1" aluminum spacer to take up the needed length of the drive shaft from the kit. A lot of our 4WD kits use a spacer on the front axles cause our track width is increased on them. I don't remember if the front end is actually widened with this kit or not. It's been a while since I was actually looking at the details of the kit. As soon as we get the fit test (damn outsourced parts) finished I'll be back into it again making minor tweaks that'll probably be needed and doing the drawings for the new upper shock mount supports that we'll develope on the fit test truck. BTW this kit WILL need some welding. It's not completely bolt on. The supports for the upper shock mounts will be weld in. You'll still be able to go back to factory with them in though if ever needed. These are the pieces that will replace that big hoop.

As for the diff. drop I think it's only 2"-3" cause I believe our spindles are providing 3" of lift. I'll check on that too though on Monday cause that's totally off memory.

Anyways, on Monday I'll try to remember to look at drive shaft mods (check to make sure they're not needed). Track width, and the diff drop distance.

Khris

 

[DesertSpive]

Originally posted by sirhk100
BTW this kit WILL need some welding. It's not completely bolt on. The supports for the upper shock mounts will be weld in. You'll still be able to go back to factory with them in though if ever needed. These are the pieces that will replace that big hoop.

JFI, he is speaking about the Ranger kit here.

Also, Khris, could you check and see which model shock the coilover is? Pretty please? I think you said it was a 10" stroke?

Thanks,

--Sean

 

[SCEXPLORER]

I'm a little confused. Why would u need the rear drive shaft lengthened on a sport? I don't believe i had to lengthen the drive shaft of my rear when i installed the 4" rear leaf spring(Or do i?) taxman did you have to lengthen your rear driveshaft?

 

[Skunk]

hell I make my own lifts and I never had to lenghten my rear driveshaft, even with this much flex sprung over.

 

[taxx]

I went somewhere between 5 - 6 inches in the rear. Yes I lengthened it. I wouldn't have known but the shop doing my front took a look at it and showed me where it only had about 1" left in the slip yoke. It would have seperated off road. So this may or may not be something that has to be done.

 

[taxx]

It may be a case by case thing, but I would plan on at least checking it out.

 

[Ace]

What is the current status on the due date for this lift ?
I am getting very anxious to get it on my truck ASAP

 

[sirhk100]

Ummmm, we're doing the fit test next week. Then the truck will go to Bilstein to do the final spring rate selection and valving. After that I'l get feed back from the installer and make any changes needed. (Hopefully not many) Then we'll start manufacturing them. If all goes well we could start building the kits in a month. Don't quote me at all on that though. You guys have NO IDEA how slammed we are. We've got 1.5 months till SEMA and that's taking a lot of effort to prep for. After that I guarentee 100% of our effort will be put towards getting this kit out if it's not already being built. I'm going to make the person with the truck that we're fit testing on give me direct feed back and I'll pass it on to you all!!!

Khris