i never lowered the L, as it always seemed to have a good stance, as i can't get any decent answers on the ranger boards and their both pickups, figured i'd get advice here

i want to level the back out, this seems like the cheapest way to go?

whats involved in putting these on?

would this be the only part i would need?



do you think i should go 1, 1.5 or 2" based on where i'm at now?

 

Beef,

Measure the amount that you want to drop the back to level it out...I've found that no matter what the advertised drop on a set of shackles is the actual drop is always about 1/2" less. So if you need a 1 1/2" drop than go with the 2" hangers. If you need more than that than definitely go with the 2" hangers.

To install them you just need some jackstands and a floor jack. Put jackstands under the frame in a place that gets the rear wheels completely off the ground. Use the jack under the diff to raise and lower the rear axle and leafs... Remove the stock spring shackles one side at a time and use the jack to raise or lower the leaf enough to get the bolt holes to line up. Install both sides, drop the truck and bounce the rear end a few times. Crawl under and torque the shackle bolts to spec (I don't know if dropping it and torquing the bolts after you've bounced it a few times actually helps but it can't hurt - the first set I did I tightened while the truck was still on jackstands and I don't think it made a big difference). You can also reuse all of the stock hardware...nuts and bolts (and you may want to put a squirt of Loctite blue on the threads - I figure that can't hurt either).

Hope that helps,

Dan

 

As Easy as

123

 

Terry,
Remember if you plan on using the bed a lot for hauling stuff then I would compensate for that .Maybe a 1/2 inch, So when you put stuff back there the rear is not sitting lower then the front.


VINNIE

 

don't think i'll be doing much hauling,

thanks for the heads up though

 

Not even , Hauling a$$?

 

Actually you can do it by just jacking the body up
til the weight comes off the bolts ... Take the nuts
off before you do this and you can slid 'em out and
right back in. I used the hitch on mine .. with a safety
jackstand of course ...

Are the Rangers the same size as the lightnings?

 

what exactly is the jacking process?

and a silly question, why do the aftermarket ones look longer than the stock ones?

 

they are longer so they can lower the frame on the truck but the actual axle stays in the same place.

 

someone had mentioned that these will make my truck higher because the springs are above the axle?

 

it shouldn't make it higher, because what the shackles do is change from where the springs are mounted to the frame. so the bottom of the shackle is bolted to the frame, and the top part of the shackles is bolted to the spring. the longer the shackle, the higher up the spring is mounted, and the further it brings the frame to the axle, therefore lowering the truck.
i hope i typed that clear enough

where did you order the shackles from? i'll be getting a ranger soon, already got the bug to mod

 

just ordered some "shackle mounts"

the company i ordered from said that the shackles would actually raise the truck, i think it's due to the axle being below the springs

the shackle mounts are 1 1/2", they said i could also add some hangers for the front of the springs also, but i figured i'd start here and see how she looks

 

beef just get some lowering blocks.. Very easy to install and fairly easy to make.. Look around for DJM or belltech they both carry a rear kit for the ranger. Since the axle is on top of the leafs the lowering block would be easy easy...

 

lol, read above post axle is "below" the leafs, lowering blocks would actually raise the truck too

 

Still shouldn't matter because the shackles will raise the springs up closer to the frame, and bring the frame closer to the axle. doesn't matter if the axle is mounted ontop of or on bottom of the springs.

anyway, where did you order them from and for how much?