ford ranger rear suspension

[muddyjames]

I have torsion bars at the front and leaf springs at the back. I have been told all I need to do to lift it by an inch or so is to find some extended spring hangers and wind the torsion bar up to suit.

I know nothing about torsion bars and cant find much about lifting a ranger with hangers except for one kit that is about £1500+vat here :shock: Anyone know what strain it would have on the ranger by winding up torion bars?

[aaron]

Hi Muddyjames, i had a ford ranger which i lifted by winding up the torsion bars. Its very easy to do, you just turn the bolt on the underside at the end of the torsion bar and up it goes. I would recommend that you drown it in wd40 before hand and also count how many turns you do, so the truck sits even each side.
Not sure about long term wear and tear, but mine seemed fine for two years  lifted by 1 1/2 inches and got used mainly for work and green laneing. I wouldn't recommend taking it up more than 2" as your front wheels will have too much positive camber (sticking in at the bottom and out at the top) and you may notice the tyres wearing unevenly. As for the back you just need some longer shackles, i got a welder to make me some up for a few quid. Then you may need to adjust the load sensing valve, but i cant remember off hand.

[muddyjames]

Then you may need to adjust the load sensing valve, but i cant remember off hand.

thanks for that. useful info. :-) What is the load sensing valve though?

[aaron]

Load sensing valve senses how much weight you are carrying over the rear axle, then adjusts how much the rear brakes work. Don't think i did adjust mine if my memory serves me correctly, i left it and it all seemed ok. 

[muddyjames]

oh right. maybe that is what a mysterious device with a spring and a lever on theback axle is for then!

[Range Rover Blues]

Yes it stops the back end locking up when you are empty.  If you lift the truck and don't adjust it then the back brakes will be doing almost nothing!