Superlift Kit Bought!

[MountaineerGreen]

Calling all lift guys!

I bought a lift for a Ranger thinking it was the same, but there are some problems. Apparently the steering knuckles are different on the Ranger. I don't think I will be able to use those knuckles, so I am looking into alternatives. I thought about buying Explorer knuckles but they are going to cost $600+. I was thinking about using the ball joint spacers that go with the trailmaster lift, but dont know where to go to get some.

Secondly, I need to figure out a rear lift. I though about a SOA, but I think it will be too much lift. Then I thought about the Superlift rear leaf packs from summit for $130 each which is cheap enough I guess. But, I use my Mountaineer for towing and don't think I will like the softer spring rate. Can I get a long add a leaf, use shackles and be close to 4" of lift? I don't intend to crank my torsion bars, I want a softer ride and I have to fit in my garage. I need some help from some lift pros. Let me know if I have missed anything. Thanks.

 

[snoborder42]

Like you said, just go with the add a leafs and shackles. You may need to put in a couple of add a leafs to get it right and I would think that it would make the ride very stiff. I'm no expert on this and I'm sure one of them will chime in anytime soon.

 

[boominXplorer]

Tortion bar rangers and explorers are COMEPLETELY Idenitcal in the front suspention except for the cv's, hubs and the edge for brakes. Now the FX4 ranger is IDENTICAL to our front suspention. The non FX4 have vaccume hubs and different CV's but those ranger guys that want stronger hubs and CV's swap to ours. If it is a tortion bar ranger they will have the same exact spindles as us.

Do a double add a leaf and leave the shackles to match the front. Personally I would do SOA, crank the front an 1" and call it a day.

I have done alot of research recently on rangers vs explorers because tomorrow I am putting in a 5" RCD coilover kit made for the ranger

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Tortion bar rangers and explorers are COMEPLETELY Idenitcal in the front suspention except for the cv's, hubs and the edge for brakes. Now the FX4 ranger is IDENTICAL to our front suspention. The non FX4 have vaccume hubs and different CV's but those ranger guys that want stronger hubs and CV's swap to ours. If it is a tortion bar ranger they will have the same exact spindles as us.

Do a double add a leaf and leave the shackles to match the front. Personally I would do SOA, crank the front an 1" and call it a day.

I have done alot of research recently on rangers vs explorers because tomorrow I am putting in a 5" RCD coilover kit made for the ranger

That would be awesome if the steering knuckles fit. I really don’t want to have to rig anything up, but will if I have to. I guess I'll wait until I get it all in and check the knuckles before I do anything.

As for the add a leaf, would you buy some new or Junkyard some? I don’t want a terribly stiff ride, but don’t want to squat like hell when I have a trailer on either. That may take some experimentation. Thanks for the imput.

 

[tmsoko]

Boomin, on a stock 1999 Ranger and a stock 1998 Mountaineer, the knuckes are not identical. There is a difference at the top of the knuckle where it meets the upper ball joint. The bolt used to tighten to the joint post is on inboard side on one and outboard on the other. Not sure what the difference is for, but my guess is it is for track difference ranger/explorer.

I would just call superlift and see what they have to say.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I'm definately calling superlift tomorrow.

 

[boominXplorer]

Boomin, on a stock 1999 Ranger and a stock 1998 Mountaineer, the knuckes are not identical. There is a difference at the top of the knuckle where it meets the upper ball joint. The bolt used to tighten to the joint post is on inboard side on one and outboard on the other. Not sure what the difference is for, but my guess is it is for track difference ranger/explorer.

I would just call superlift and see what they have to say.

Hmm must be an early tortion bar thing. I did I lift on an 02 2 weeks ago and it was Identical to mine

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Ill call superlift tomorrow and get an answer for certain. Ill post what they have to say.

 

[boominXplorer]

Did the research for you: There are 2 different ranger superlift setups. 98-99 and 00-05.
The 00-05 use the same box # as 96-01 explorers. So basically you need to figure out if the kit your getting is of a 98-99 or 00-05 ranger. Check out www.superlift.com in the suspentions systems for more info

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Did the research for you: There are 2 different ranger superlift setups. 98-99 and 00-05.
The 00-05 use the same box # as 96-01 explorers. So basically you need to figure out if the kit your getting is of a 98-99 or 00-05 ranger. Check out www.superlift.com in the suspentions systems for more info

Thanks, I looked at the superlift web site today but obviously missed that part. Im going to email the guy and see what year his ragner is.

 

[Boomer12]

... Im going to email the guy and see what year his ragner is.

Thought he said that it's a '98+

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Thought he said that it's a '98+

He did, but Im not certain if he knew there was a change in the design.

 

[Brans Freestyle]

98-00 rangers use pulse vacuum hubs and cv's, 2001 and above use the same live axle as explorers.

 

[tmsoko]

Yes, but when you swap in live axles/hubs to a 98-99 Ranger, you do not need to change the knuckles. That is the strange part.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Did the research for you: There are 2 different ranger superlift setups. 98-99 and 00-05.
The 00-05 use the same box # as 96-01 explorers. So basically you need to figure out if the kit your getting is of a 98-99 or 00-05 ranger. Check out www.superlift.com in the suspentions systems for more info

He has a 2000 ranger, so my fingers are crossed.

EDIT: The part numbers for the "front kit box" on superlift's application guide for a Explorer and Ranger are the same. Sounds like I'm safe on the knuckles!

There is a difference in the "front kit box with shocks" part numbers however, Im guessing the shocks may not work?

 

[Mcane6]

So a 00-05 ranger superlift kit will work on the 2nd gen explorers with no probs???

 

[MountaineerGreen]

So a 00-05 ranger superlift kit will work on the 2nd gen explorers with no probs???

Im not entirely certain yet. I believe it will work based on information in past discussion. Im going to find out really soon. If you are buying a new lift, just buy one for an x and know it will work.

On as second note, I am thinking of doing the F150 leaf swap. I know there are some people on here who have done that, but I need to know the approximate lift gain from the swap. Can someone chime in?

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

it depends on how you swap them if you did what gerald did and used the stock pack plus a bunch of F-150 leaves i think he got 3inches other then that i think it was 1.5 inches....
here is the thread.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101035&highlight=F-150+springs

 

[Josh]

I have 4 inch SL spring packs on the rear of my truck and they are not soft. I think stock are softer.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Yeah, Ive been reading that tread over and over. There is so much information on there, its kind of confusing. I think I can swap everything except my #1 leaf and get 2"? I also saw that someone swapped in the whole leaf pack from an F150. But he said he got 8" from it, which dosent seem right. I would think it would be less than that if it acutally fits and the main leaf has the pin in the right spot for an explorer.