Gettin ready for Rancho lift...

[Highatop]

Ok, I'm gettin ready for the Rancho 4"lift, everythin should be in next week. 1.75 wheel spacers are ordered also, Outfitter Design steerin rack reinforcement kit. Now after readin here, the rear leaf springs will sag. Should I just go ahead now add a extra leaf now, so I don't have to later. I'm sure the lift they ordered has the old leafs. Also, when readin the specs, it's 4" in front and only 3" in back. So, my thought was. W/ some breakin in, it will sag rather quickly. When wheelin and loaded up w/ all my tools and offroad gear, the extra weight. Is this a good idea knowin what we know?
Also, if there is any other things I should do or prepare for before the install. I am gettin pretty pumped about this already...I'll have it done for Moab
Thanks

 

[Bigunit]

Highatop, what shocks are you going to install with the lift? Good luck man, can't wait to see it!

 

[4speedfunk]

The Firestone Airbags with Daystar cradles works great. It works with stock or Rancho spring-under...and it also works with a spring-over. Your sagging issues will be over, and you can adjust it for those times when you cram it full of camping gear. That way when its not loaded-down...you don't get stuck with the add-a-leaf harsh ride.

 

[Highatop]

Highatop, what shocks are you going to install with the lift? Good luck man, can't wait to see it!

I believe what is in the book where they order from. We are stayin w/ their specs, just so my install is covered by the shop.

 

[RamRod]

Don't do an AAL, I did and it still sagged after 9 months and all it did was make my rear end more stiff...
Once you start to sag call Rancho and they will replace them under warranty and by then should have the new style springs in

If you really want to increase capacity do as 4speed says and go with the daystar cradle and air bag setup

 

[Highatop]

Thanks, I like that direction myself. Then I feel, I have the options I want when ever I want. This is why, I'm askin now.

Also, maybe a silly question but. After the lift, are my Tbars cranked to 27.5 just addin 4"?

 

[Hummerboy]

No your t bars will be returned to stock ride height. No more harsh angle on the cv so your rig will ride much better... If your t bars are cranked you will only net 2 inches of lift because they crank your t bars down back to normal and give you a 4" lift but really your only adding 2 inches. Idk if guys do it but you could technically crank t bars on top of the rancho and have about a 6" lift up front. I considered doing this but the guys that installed my lift said it would ride too harsh to do it

 

[derian06]

Mine had to be cranked a bit over stock to line up with the rear, after the spring over I'll probably crank them up another inch to be 6" above stock up front and 7" in the back.

 

[06 H3]

Not worth it IMO keep it 4in and angles flat.

 

[4speedfunk]

No more harsh angle on the cv so your rig will ride much better...

True, there will be no more harsh angle on the HALF-SHAFT cv's...and ride quality with the Rancho remains very nice. But the DRIVESHAFT cv does see more angle on the Rancho kit. This is because you are dropping the front diff 3" from where it sits now. The stock driveshaft cv does a good job handling the increased angle but, the rubber boot does not. This is especially true if the boot is used (previously running at the stock angle). Rancho has a small line or two in the instructions about sliding the boot clamp closer to the end of the shaft to try to prevent it from ripping...but used boots don't respond well to the angle change. The rubber gets hard and when you increase the angle...it tends to create small rips, and eventually it fails and allows the joint to run dry. Check your driveshaft cv boot both during the Rancho installation, and also about 2000 miles afterward. If you have issues with the boot ripping, then replacing the shaft with a new stock one will usually hold-up okay...because the new boot will be soft and pliable. If you are doing a bunch of offroading, you should consider upgrading to a cardan-jointed shaft, which gets rid of the boot entirely.

 

[Panzer07]

If you are doing a bunch of offroading, you should consider upgrading to a cardan-jointed shaft, which gets rid of the boot entirely.

Thanks for that info CJ I'll be looking into this. Since mine had about 90,000 miles when the rancho went in.


Torres