Badlands lift - HRG or Flatout?

[NMhunter]

I got the HRG 1.5" lift. I can't tell any difference in handling or ride. But, I don't drive it like a sports car. My gas mileage seems to be the same. If you want a smoother ride on and off road, go with taller tires like 235/70R17. That will give you an additional 1/2" of clearance, and more rubber between you and the bumps.

I first put a driver's side skid plate on. On rutted road, even with the lift, the center of the vehicle sometimes scrapes on the rocky hump between the ruts. I added a cat skid, and noticed on my last oil change that the muffler behind the cat skid is dented a little.

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[Horse n Buggy]

I went from No lift Badlands with strut tower brace to FordRangerLifts 1.75" without strut tower brace and I can say the road manners have changed significantly. Far more bodyroll in high speed corners, still handles dirt and gravel great and does rutts holes and hills fantastically

 

[RSH]

The HRG and Flatout are different in what they offer. HRG offers the more typical spacer style lift with different lift options while Flatout offers the spacer spring and shock hybrid kit as well as complete suspension replacement. Choosing which depends on your needs and budget.

 

[WildFord]

thank you!

I understand other than Flatout, there doesn't seems to be another lift kit that changes damper and springs for a Badlands which will make significant real changes in on/off road driving dynamics. Hoping to hear more from those who installed the Flatout.

Also heard that these lift kit would cause some shop not willing to recalibrate the lane centering system

 

[SDPark]

I installed the HRG 1.5” lift. I am still on my 235 65R 17 tires, but I’ll be getting new tires this winter… likely 245 65R 17. I also haven’t yet installed any additional skid plates - but I know I need that.
At first, I felt like my BSBL was top heavy after the installation of the lift. I don’t feel like that anymore. I haven’t noticed any reduction in gas mileage. It really feels the same. The extra clearance - while small - really does make a difference.

 

[Mark S.]

At first, I felt like my BSBL was top heavy after the installation of the lift. I don’t feel like that anymore.

This is a phenomenon called Normalization of Deviance. Be careful out there...

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