Help with lowering 4/5

Sotzen · Mar 30, 2013

I have a 2003 ranger xlt 2.3l 2wd I bought recently. I have always drove cars and hate the height and huge ugly gap in wheel well. I have seen the DJM kits and belltech. I dont wanna spend 500-600$ I understanff you can flip the axle for a 4 inch drop in the rear is there a how to on this? and as for the front what would be the best ??

I want atleast a 3/4 drop nothing more than a 4/5

HELP and suggestions or links would be greatly appreciated. Im new to the ranger family so hello :bye:

Insanejughead · Mar 30, 2013

Welcome to The Ranger Station, man.

DJM's 4/5 kit is the most well known kit for that year of ranger. There isn't much else you can do except for coils and shackle flips (not as much drop) or air bags (not as practical for daily drivers).

Search through the forums; you'll find LOADS of information that will help you out.

Sotzen · Mar 30, 2013

I did some searching and will continue to see what else i can dig up. I just wanted to know if there was a cheaper way. I cant find a HOW TO do the axle flip. I understand the xel is going below the leaf springs but I would like to see a step by step to see how the process is accomplished. Is it cheaper to by just the 50$ flip kit for the back. to get a 4-5inch drop in rear? is that the correct amount of drop<<<< And then 2inch drop springs and 2 inch drop control arms. is it cheaper to buy seperatlely or the whole DJM kit. And i can ride the shocks/struts that are already on there right?

I bought this truck for work its a excellent truck runs beautifully and I have started to love it. Always been a car tuner. I want the drop so its rides similar to a car but its a small truck. The first thing I want is the drop then rims amd tires eventually with a rollpan and bedcover.

Thanks for helping out so far Can you answer these few more questions before i jump on it. Really dont wanna have to spend over 500$ just to lower it. Also i dont wanna have to C-notch it. I was reading about that.. So basically i wanna know whats the best affordable way to go about this. I have founf flip kit for around 50$ then 2' drop springs for 120$ if I can get 2' drop control armsfor under 200$ I would still get it lowered for under 400$ which is good to me. Will the alignment on the car still be good and as far as ride quality i assume it would be still good beacause im not cutting springs or heating springs or none of that junk ricer bullshit...

Thanks again buddy

If anyone else has suggestions or comments or even links or descriptions on HOW TO for the rear flip it would be gratlyl appreciated and help alot. Im not just talking about doing this like most people I;m eager to do this withthin the next few weeks as the gap and ride height is extremely bothersome

stmitch · Mar 30, 2013

Here are your options.
Rear:
Axle flip (requires a flip kit)- 5 inches of rear drop
Hanger flip (requires hardware to replace the factory rivets)- 2 inches
Bell tech drop leaf springs (requires new leaf springs)- 3 inches
You can also get 3 inches of drop by adding 2 inch lift shackles to the flip kit, which would give you 3 inches of drop with better ride quality and load capacity than the drop leafs.

Front:
Cut your stock springs (do not drop more than 3 inches this way)- drop depends how much you cut off
DJM drop springs - 2inches
Bell tech drop coils - 3 inches
DJM control arms- 2 inches of drop

That's pretty much it. You can mix and match a lot of it depending on how much drop you want, and what your budget is. In my opinion, the dim 4/5 is the best quality, and final result. I've had it in my truck and love it. Pic for reference:

Any front drop will require an alignment. More than 2 inches will require adjustable camber bolts, and drop shocks too.

Sotzen · Apr 1, 2013

That helped alot. Thanks. Love the way your ranger is Very nice.

I've decided I want to flip kit the rear and get a 5 inch drop. I do not carry any heavy loads at all so I'm not worry about that.

As for the front I want to do the DJM coil springs and the DJM control arms and get the front dropped 4 inches

Then as your saying I will need the alignment kit as well so it can be aligned correctly RIGHT?

I need to view a HOW TO install flip kit I understand what is being done but dontunderstand step by step what needs to happen IF anyone can help on that. Then this would complete this thread.

I assume it is cheaper to just buy the kit so going to go that way then. defiantly dont wanna cut the springs I'm scared to have a bouncy ass ride...

Thanks alot for the help

stmitch · Apr 2, 2013

Sotzen said:
Then as your saying I will need the alignment kit as well so it can be aligned correctly RIGHT?

Yes. you'll need to get it aligned, and will need camber eccentric bolts to get it within spec. Most alignment shops will offer them, but you can get them from Ford, or auto parts stores like NAPA. Also, don't forget new shocks.

As for the flip kit, it's pretty straight forward, and should come with instructions if you buy new parts. Basically, you unbolt the axle from the leaf springs and driveshaft. Move it to the top of the axle using the parts from the flip kit to hold it in place, and reattach the leaf springs and driveshaft. Just make sure the pinion angle doesn't get to crazy, or you'll have vibration issues.

slammedxonair · Apr 2, 2013

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your other options with a 98+ ranger are a 2/2, 2/3, 3/3, 3/5, 4/5, 5/5, 5/6, 5/7 Anything more than a 5" rear flip kit drop and you will need a bolt in notch. I do not advise adding a notch on the extended cabs unless you are willing to clearance the rear cab crossmember and tunnel the extended cab floor for the drive shaft or, install a 2pc drive shaft.

Also the comment above about air ride not practical for a daily driver is a false statement. As along as everything is installed correctly and you have good parts there is no problem with air on a daily. Lot of factory vehicles come with air ride and I have been driving bagged trucks every day for the past 9 years though the snow and everything.

Sotzen · Apr 2, 2013

I do not wanna notch,. And i want a 4/5 its perfect for my looks. I will check out your store and see what you got and compare prices. As for air bag suspension I'm not gonna spend that much. No way. Just a good quality 4/5 drop that rides good with satisfy me completely.

Thanks mucho

CRW11 · May 22, 2015

stmitch said:
Here are your options.
Rear:
Axle flip (requires a flip kit)- 5 inches of rear drop
Hanger flip (requires hardware to replace the factory rivets)- 2 inches
Bell tech drop leaf springs (requires new leaf springs)- 3 inches
You can also get 3 inches of drop by adding 2 inch lift shackles to the flip kit, which would give you 3 inches of drop with better ride quality and load capacity than the drop leafs.

Front:
Cut your stock springs (do not drop more than 3 inches this way)- drop depends how much you cut off
DJM drop springs - 2inches
Bell tech drop coils - 3 inches
DJM control arms- 2 inches of drop

That's pretty much it. You can mix and match a lot of it depending on how much drop you want, and what your budget is. In my opinion, the dim 4/5 is the best quality, and final result. I've had it in my truck and love it. Pic for reference:

Any front drop will require an alignment. More than 2 inches will require adjustable camber bolts, and drop shocks too.

What is your tire ratio?

stmitch · May 24, 2015

CRW11 said:
What is your tire ratio?

Fronts are 245/35/18s. Rears are 295/35/18s.

green77 · Jan 8, 2024

What wheel size and offset are you running?

JoshT · Jan 12, 2024

green77 said:
What wheel size and offset are you running?

Old thread, don't know if Stmitch will see your post. This will probably answer your questions: https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/pics-of-my-rig.102433/

Help with lowering 4/5

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