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Bandit1
Bone Stock
Posts:3
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| 05/17/2005 2:25 PM |
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| I have read that superlift has a lift kit for a 2004 ford ranger 4x4 but the front drive shaft wears out after 20,000 miles. Does this apply to any other lift kit. I have never lifted a truck before but would like to lift my truck so that I can at least run 32's or 33's and want it to still look good and ride good. I don't do extreme 4 wheeling or any thing but still would like my truck to be pretty functional. Any info out there? I also don't want to break my banks account. |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 05/18/2005 7:33 AM |
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| When ever you lift any truck a lot, you steepen the angles and front drive shaft and shorten joint life. Who much you do is based on use, axle ratios and torque loads on drive shaft (big rubber with stock gear will eat it up quicker than stock tires and gears or big tires and proper regearing). Also you can get a front drive shaft with aftermarket CV joints in it and they will last a lot longer than Ujoint with steep front drive shaft angles |
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Visit the SnoMan at
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 05/18/2005 9:24 AM |
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Bandit - since you won't be doing any serious off roading with your truck, you might want to look at a TCase lowering kit, as this will lessen the angle of the front (and rear) drive shafts. Lowering kits are usually less than $100 bucks, so it's light on the wallet too.
Also, be sure to rotate (clock) your axles if needed. We just did a comprehensive tech article on axle clocking, which can b seen at: http://www.4x4review.com/tech/axle-clocking.asp
In regards to your question about which lift kits are best, that's a bit of a Ford vs. Chevy type discussion. I'e found that companies like FabTech or Superlift make great kits, but others swear by Rancho and others.
I'd suggest calling a few of the manufacturers or a 4-wheel drive shop and talk directly to your concerns and questions. Most good shops will offer some type of a warranty and can also address some custom needs such as a TCase lowering kit too.
Regards,
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 05/18/2005 10:39 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by webby4x4
Bandit - since you won't be doing any serious off roading with your truck, you might want to look at a TCase lowering kit, as this will lessen the angle of the front (and rear) drive shafts. Lowering kits are usually less than $100 bucks, so it's light on the wallet too.
Not a good solution in my book unless you are dealing with a divorced Tcase setup because as you tip the rear down to lower it while pivoting on engine mounts it will help the rear drive shaft some but it will make matters worse for front because though it may be a bit lower, the front output yoke will be angled a bit higher (tilted toward back at top) So while it will help the joint at the front diff housing some (maybe), it will cause more angle at tcase joint AND with a drive shaft with Ujoints you want about the same deflection on both ends for smoothest operation. Do not mess arond with a lowering kit. Spend the money for a CV jointed drive shaft for front end with a big lift and you will live happily ever after. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
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Bandit1
Bone Stock
Posts:3
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| 05/18/2005 1:00 PM |
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| Thanks for the info guys. |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 05/18/2005 2:08 PM |
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SnoMan - good points, but I would argue the geometry a bit on this one. The Ranger's drivetrain (engine, trans and TCase), if memory serves me correctly, is pretty long, which would lessen the severity of the angle. Plus, the pivot point is pretty far forward as it's not only pivoting from the engine mounts, but the engine mounts on the Ranger are fairly far forward in relation to the engine. This means that the TCase will effectively be lowered X inches, with only a slight change in the angle of the front output shaft. The change in angle (if only measured at the output shaft) maybe one additional degree from where it was originally, which will be at least 2 degrees less than what it would be if it were not lowered.
However, your point of a double-cardan driveshaft is a good one, and one that I forgot to mention. This will help alleviate any stress the changing geometry puts on the driveshaft, plus with two u-joints, the load is distributed and should assist to lengthen the drivehsaft's life (provided proper care and maintenance is performed).
So... while I don't disagree that lowering the TCase will cause the front output shaft to tip up, I would (respectfully) argue that lowering the TCase will still lessen the angle overall when the truck is lifted 4".
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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Bandit1
Bone Stock
Posts:3
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| 05/18/2005 2:28 PM |
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| I think that yall have talked me into a bodylift man all this sounds like a lot of work and totally redoing the underside of the truck. Is it possiable to do the superlift and replace the front drive shaft for 2500.00 or under? |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 05/18/2005 2:56 PM |
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Bandit - it's really not all that bad, especially considering it'll likely be done by someone else. ;)
The lift kit for your truck is going to cost somewhere in the range of $1,500 and it'll likely be about $300 to $500 for installation. Getting a double-cardan drive shaft will run you around $150 to $250, installation should be no more than $50 to $75.
So, yes, you should be able to get that done for under $2,500.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 05/18/2005 6:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by webby4x4
So... while I don't disagree that lowering the TCase will cause the front output shaft to tip up, I would (respectfully) argue that lowering the TCase will still lessen the angle overall when the truck is lifted 4".
Rick
I am not blind to your point and it is well taken but it is just that the best way to run a drive shaft is with equal opposite angles at each end if you must have a angle and the lowering would decrease angle on diff yoke while increasing it or keep it about the same on Tcase yoke (because of yoke angle change) which could lead to drive shaft vibration because of mismatched angles because ujoints are not constant velocity in flexing and by having proper opposite angles at each end on properly phase joint these forces largely cancel out. (though it still does not do much for joint life if angle is beyond 12 to 15 degrees) CV's can run smoothly at 20 degrees and more with proper design. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
www.thesnoman.com |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 05/18/2005 9:31 PM |
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Completely agree, but it's the front drive shaft we're talking about right? If so, then it's not in use unless it's in four-wheel drive, and if it's in four wheel drive, you're likely not doing highway speeds.
Thoughts?
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 05/19/2005 5:45 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by webby4x4
Completely agree, but it's the front drive shaft we're talking about right? If so, then it's not in use unless it's in four-wheel drive, and if it's in four wheel drive, you're likely not doing highway speeds.
Thoughts?
Rick
Agreed unless you do a lot of high speed offroad running. Front drive shafts are usually a lot shorter than rear ones though and therefore usually suffer the effect of lift first. That was a nice thing about the old Fords with divorced Tcases. The had about equal length drive shafts and you could lower case too if need be. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
www.thesnoman.com |
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Bandit1
Bone Stock
Posts:3
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| 05/29/2005 2:00 PM |
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| To anyone with a ford ranger if I put a 3inch body lift on is it possable to run 33 1250-15 tires without rubbing? Also I have 15x8 wheels can I mount 33 1250-15 on these or they a little to wide. Found a good deal on these just wondering if it would work. |
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