Looking for installation and performance feedback for Woolworth/fordrangerlifts kit

[bluebabybronc]

Did anybody install the 1.75" BS BL Woolworth kit themselves? I see a few mentions of it on here but not in detail. I am curious about how it went.

I just purchased the kit and have a mid-level of experience working on cars (e.g. I can replace a power steering pump, I know how a turbo works, and I'm no stranger to jack stands). I'm looking to do the installation myself, with the help of an equally car-savvy buddy, and then have a shop double-check my work when I go in for an alignment.

Did anybody install this or a similar kit themselves? How did it go? Anything to look out for? Are you happy you did it?

The trim level may say otherwise, but I am a graduate student and make no money. I lucked out on getting this vehicle. My upgrades are for function and reliability more than looks. The (semi-rhetorical) question is, am I more likely to break it because of the lift or because I don't have one? I use it for a combination of highway commuting and off-roading to access REMOTE areas for rock/ice climbing (the kind with carabiners, not the 4x4 crawling kind) where getting stuck would be dire -- stuff a bit over a subie's head but moderately easy for a Rubicon. Also a lot of 1' snow on unplowed mountain roads. I figure the extra 2 inches may save me money on repairs or getting towed out of some mountain pass that sees 1 truck a day.

Worth it? What was your experience?

Thanks in advance.

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[RogueRodney]

bluebabybronc:

I have a 23 Badlands with the Ford Ranger Lifts 1.75" Lift kit, which is what I think you are referring to.

I didn't install mine, I had the dealership do it. I don't remember what they charged me, but I think it was around $800.

Anyway, I have a ton of mods on my car, thanks to this forum. The single best one I've made is this lift kit.

I confess I bought mine mainly for aesthetics, but it really improved the ride quality on road.

I took measurements at the time, but I think I had something like 10.5 to 11 inches of clearance! I was getting envious looks for jeep owners, etc.

I have taken it off road, but by then I had installed the full load of JCR Skid Plates and sliders, and that cost me like 2"....

I believe the Sport is an awesome off roader and wonder if Ford intentionally hobbled it to protect the big bronco... Anyway, ground clearance and tire size are the two serious limitations you are going to encounter in off roading, and this helps with one of them.

That's just my opinion man, confess I am super jelly of you living in Montana.

Happy Trails Brother.

F

 

[bluebabybronc]

bluebabybronc:

I have a 23 Badlands with the Ford Ranger Lifts 1.75" Lift kit, which is what I think you are referring to.

I didn't install mine, I had the dealership do it. I don't remember what they charged me, but I think it was around $800.

Anyway, I have a ton of mods on my car, thanks to this forum. The single best one I've made is this lift kit.

I confess I bought mine mainly for aesthetics, but it really improved the ride quality on road.

I took measurements at the time, but I think I had something like 10.5 to 11 inches of clearance! I was getting envious looks for jeep owners, etc.

I have taken it off road, but by then I had installed the full load of JCR Skid Plates and sliders, and that cost me like 2"....

I believe the Sport is an awesome off roader and wonder if Ford intentionally hobbled it to protect the big bronco... Anyway, ground clearance and tire size are the two serious limitations you are going to encounter in off roading, and this helps with one of them.

That's just my opinion man, confess I am super jelly of you living in Montana.

Happy Trails Brother.

F

Thanks for the feedback man! It is great out here. I’m fired up to be getting out in the woods with a bit more confidence than I had in my outback. Tore through some deep snow off-road up some 10 degree slopes the other day and was extremely impressed, but there’s always that voice telling you that you could go deeper with a lift

Good to hear another person on the forum had luck with the 1.75”.

Edit: as to hobbling, yes! Very much feels that way. Luckily, it seems like people are building them back up without too many mods and ripping it up on trails. I grew up driving different 4x4s all the time for family business and this feels like the most unassumingly capable one I’ve gotten to play with.

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