Lifting a two wheel river 2000 Ranger

[Lonesome7.3]

We are in a bad financial spot right now. The problem is our 2000 Ranger needs tires badly. But, we do not have the money to get any. So a friend of mine gave me a set of like new 31 inch Goodyears. They are very nice tires. The 225s under the truck now measure 28 inches tall and fit perfect. The Goodyears measure 30 inches tall. They will scrub and make contact on big bumps. So even though I do not want to do it the only way I can put good tires on this truck is to lift it. Here are my options:

I have a body lift on a shelf that came out of one f my first gen Rangers. I like that option because I can uninstall it when we get back on our feet. Are there issues I should know about before I get started? I have never installed a body lift on a later model ranger like this one.

My other option is some kind of cheap suspension kit like spacers. But, I do not want anything that will damage or permanently change anything under this truck. Plus it has to be super cheap. I have seen some of the super cheap options and there is no way I would use any of them. Unless there is something I have not seen or heard about.

I prefer to stick with first gen Rangers, so I need a heads up on anything I should know about this one. I really do not want to lift it at all, but that is what I have to work with right now.

 

[NMRam]

For what you are trying to do, I would think the body lift would work best. Any suspension mods you do (spacers, etc.) will require at least an alignment if not more (shocks, etc.).

As far as I know, there are no real issues doing a body lift on a newer Ranger, I have seen some around. How big is the body lift you have? Most 2" or less BL's don't reqire anything to be extended/moved (except possibly bumper brackets, unless you want a gap). Many of the 3" BL's require shift linkage extensions or relocation along with fuel filler line, and possibly some other fairly minor things.

 

[Zembonez]

Ive seen a fair number of non-lifted Rangers running 31 inch tires without any problem. Id install one and check it out before going to all of the trouble to do a lift.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I Will have to make some bumper brackets but that is simple. The one thing I am hung up on right now is the shifter. The older Rangers I am use to does not have a shift boot that goes all the way up on the shifter. I cannot extend the shifter because I do not want it to be permanent.

I thought about test fitting them. The problem is I only have one set of rims. I would have to dismount my tires then mount them on the on the 31s. If it works great. If not, I would have to go through it all over again just so I can get it home for the lift. I really want my own tire machine.

 

[NMRam]

The shifter will be "shorter" since it is pulled down through the floor, so it should just compress the "accordian" pleats on the bottom of the shift boot more. I really don't think 31's will fit on a stock 2wd, they probably would on a 4wd.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

On a four by they would fit fine. But a new problem as risen. I forgot about the fan shroud. That right there might be a deal breaker.

 

[Zembonez]

I had a 98 Mazda B4000 2wd (same truck as a ranger) that I ran 31 inch BFGs on from day one. Never rubbed anywhere. I've also sen quite a few Rangers running 31s. Wouldn't hurt to try mounting one and trying it on the front. Rears are no problem.

 

[Alljackedup408]

I had a 98 Mazda B4000 2wd (same truck as a ranger) that I ran 31 inch BFGs on from day one. Never rubbed anywhere. I've also sen quite a few Rangers running 31s. Wouldn't hurt to try mounting one and trying it on the front. Rears are no problem.

I second this!

Alljackedup Samsung

 

[Boilerup15]

Can you sell the tires your friend gave you and buy some that will fit without going through the lift issues?

 

[ksblacksilvy]

If money is your issue, you're not going to come out ahead lifting it IMO. I bet you could trade tires with better results.