Recently, I've installed some 3" lift spindles to give me more ground clearance and improve on wheel travel. More recently, however, I have purchased some brand new Chevy/Ford/Dodge drop shackles. These would drop a truck 1" or 2" if inverted. For Rangers, the shackles always face down, suddenly turning normal drop shackles into lift shackles. I decided to put the new hardware on the 2" setting since, after all, I was looking forward to using my review-mirror again. After the installation (which only took roughly 45 minutes) I am very pleased with wheel travel and ground rear clearance.
(Above) Here they are, freshly installed. Its easiest and less time consuming to remove the old shackles with the top bolt first, then the bottom bolt. When putting the new shackles in make sure you do the opposite. Tighten the bottom bolt down, then the top. If you don't, the leaf springs will do there job and not let you remove the bolts. What should have been an hour project slowly turns into several.
(Above) After testing them on the trails and the street, it seemed as if they moved smoother and weren't so stiff
(Left) Post lifting, I measured the front wheel well at just under 36".
(Left) Just like the front fender, I measured the rear. This wheel well turned out to be almost exactly 36".
(Above) As you can see, the truck is lifted, and almost completely level. I think new rims and bigger rubber may be in my truck's future.
(Above) Here they are, freshly installed. Its easiest and less time consuming to remove the old shackles with the top bolt first, then the bottom bolt. When putting the new shackles in make sure you do the opposite. Tighten the bottom bolt down, then the top. If you don't, the leaf springs will do there job and not let you remove the bolts. What should have been an hour project slowly turns into several.
(Above) After testing them on the trails and the street, it seemed as if they moved smoother and weren't so stiff
(Left) Post lifting, I measured the front wheel well at just under 36".
(Left) Just like the front fender, I measured the rear. This wheel well turned out to be almost exactly 36".
(Above) As you can see, the truck is lifted, and almost completely level. I think new rims and bigger rubber may be in my truck's future.
