Questions about getting trucks lifted...

[anonymouschris]

I have always been a fan of trucks...especially trucks that are lifted. Finally the time has arrived for me to get a new truck, and so I have a few questions about lifting the truck, shocks, tires, etc...

Background information: I am leaning towards getting a Ford Ranger Edge 4dr 4x4 just because it seems like an economical choice. If you have any other suggestiosn please advise since my purchase won't be made until Christmas time.

1. What are the drawbacks of getting your truck lifted?
2. How much will it cost to get a good lift job (Tires, shocks, labor, etc)?
3. What brands for tires and shocks offer the best value (price vs. quality)?
4. Any good suggestions for websites to read more into this?
5. Any other concerns I should address?

Any advice and information you can offer will be much appreciated. Below is a link of what I would want my truck to look like. I do intend to do some minor 4 wheeling with the truck, and maybe some more serious stuff after I actually know how it all works.

link 1
link 2
link 3
link 4

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Where is the link?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
Where is the link?

He wants his truck to look like heatware.

 

[klah]

LINK

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Are you going to offroad? If not, you're as bad as those SUV drivers.

 

[anonymouschris]

the thing is....i do plan to do some offroading b/c im really into outdoor sports. my friends have old CJ-7's that go offroading with sometimes and I thought it was really fun. Just can't justify putting down 10g's on 20 + year old car. That is why I plan on buying a truck that I can use as my main vehicle and as my recreational one.

 

[GroundZero]

there are several differant ways to lift your truck. all vary in price.
you can get a suspension lift, a body lift, or a combination.
couple things you need to think about though. you will need to figure out how much clearance you want to start.
this will determine the size of tires/rims you will want. need bigger tires to get the axel off the ground.
with a body lift you can get bigger tires without having to get new drivelines. but this entails taking the body off of the frame and putting it on spacers and bushings. with a suspension lift you will have to lengthen your drivelines and you also have the added angles on the drivelines. creating a greater possibility of detonating ujoints. you will need longer shocks on a suspension lift too. also another thing to think about is horsepower. big tires and all take some power to turn.
personaly i did the combo lift. 4 inch suspension and 4 inch body lift. put some 44" m.t. monster mudders on some a.r.e. rims.
went to triple rancho shocks. the power wasn't an issue with me though. putting out an easy 430 horsies and can smoke all 4 on the pavement. i dumped about 2500$ into my liftting. but i also did all the work myself.
it all depends on how high you want to go. you said minimal 4x4ing? my beast is all about 4x4ing. minimal road driving in it.
you have got to be prepared for the repairs too. the bigger you get the more likely you will break things and or crash.
happy thrashing

 

[Zebo]

1. What are the drawbacks of getting your truck lifted?

Higher center of gravity and most likely disableing roll/sway bar for better flexablity. The major drawback is roll over at higher speeds while cornering.

2. How much will it cost to get a good lift job (Tires, shocks, labor, etc)?

4" or 6" lift for a ranger is $799 from superlift which will allow for 33" or 35" tires. Shocks included but labor is'nt so add another $400 if ya don't know how.

3. What brands for tires and shocks offer the best value (price vs. quality)?

Tires price/performance are BF mudterrains shocks any brand nitrogen filled shock of the proper length

4. Any good suggestions for websites to read more into this?

try google ford ranger lifting and offraoding

5. Any other concerns I should address?

Gearing, roll cage if you go offf road, safty equipment ya there are lots.

 

[vi edit]

You can get a factory hoisted Chevy/GMC truck for dirt cheap if you buy a year or two old.

$15k-16k will get you a low milage truck, with a warranty still. If you do it as a novelty, and get tired from it, you'll still be able to get your money back out of it this way, as opposed to doing everything yourself.