How to Install a Ranger Body Lift
by Jared Curtis
Installing a body lift on your Ford Ranger can be done yourself with simple tools. Adding a body lift to your truck will allow you to purchase larger tires. Body-lift kits only the lift the body off the frame of the vehicle, and retain the factory suspension. The ride and handling is not sacrificed. Body lifts are an economical way to increase the off-road performance of your Ford Ranger.
Preparing the Ford Ranger for Installation
Step 1
Park the vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake.
Step 2
Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable using a socket. The negative cable is the black cable that connects to the battery.
Step 3
Disconnect the bolts on the fan shroud and the fan from the front of the grille. The bolts can be removed using a ratchet and a socket. Allow the fan and the shroud to rest inside the vehicle's engine compartment.
Installing the Cab Portion of the Body Lift
Step 1
Remove the front bumper of your Ford Ranger. There are three bolts on each end of the bumper. Remove these bolts with a ratchet and socket. Place the front bumper aside
Step 2
Remove the kick panels from inside the vehicle's interior with a screwdriver. Grasp the carpet and pull back to expose the factory body bolt inside the cab. There are two body bolts on each side of the Ford Ranger. The bolts are located in the front kick well and behind the seat. Loosen and remove these bolts using a ratchet and socket.
Step 3
Place a hydraulic jack on the driver's side of the vehicle. A block of wood should be used between the jack and the vehicle's undercarriage to prevent damage to the kick panels. Place the jack in a position so it lifts the body of the vehicle. Only lift the vehicle enough to slide the lift pucks onto the factory bushings.
Step 4
Slide the body-lift pucks into position on top of the factory bushings. Do not remove the factory bushings. Lower the vehicle body onto the newly installed lift pucks.
Step 5
Install the new bolts into position and tighten them using a ratchet and socket. Confirm that all six bolts are tight. Re-install the bumper, fan, and shroud using a socket and ratchet.
Installing the Bed Portion of the Body Lift
Step 1
Locate all eight of the factory bushings along the frame rail connecting the Ranger bed to the frame. There are four bushings on each side of the vehicle.
Step 2
Loosen and remove the bolts holding the bed onto the frame.
Step 3
Slowly jack up the vehicle in the same fashion. A block of wood should be used to prevent damage to the vehicle. Lift only enough to slide the lift pucks into position. Lower the bed onto the pucks by lowering the hydraulic jack.
Step 4
Install the new bolts that came with the kit. Tighten them with a socket and ratchet.
Step 5
Re-install the negative battery cable.
Post Check-Up
Step 1
Confirm that all bolts are tight.
Step 2
Place the warning sticker that came with the kit on the dashboard of your Ford Ranger.
Step 3
Adjust the headlights for the amount of lift that was installed, using a screwdriver.
Things You'll Need
- Ratchet and socket set
- Screwdriver
- Hydraulic jack
- Block of wood
Writer Bio
Living in Utah, Jared Curtis graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Curtis is continuing his education in hard sciences to apply to medical school in the future. He began writing professionally in 2010, specializing in cabinet-related articles.
