We lift our Next Gen Ranger Raptor, AKA “the Donkey”. Why lift the next gen Raptor ranger, isn’t the suspension already perfect? Yes it is. This project is always going to be a risk.
Do you need the height for big tyres? NO! Is it low? Also no! Does the suspension under preform? No, in fact it’s almost too good. So why lift the Raptor Ranger?
For me I wanted a little more height and as superficial as this is it’s mainly for looks. But I’m going to tell you it’s for clearance. And in the rear to be able to hold weight better.
The next gen raptor rangers already come with fox 2.5” body live valved shocks. These shock absorbers are absolutely amazing and really top tier in the suspension world. On top of that they have live valving on each with sensors at each corner making millions of adjustments every time you drive. Really other than that of a trophy truck it’s probably the best suspension that money can buy.
Needless to say the shocks are staying and we are just going to change out the springs. Now there are a few ways to lift and level your next gen ranger raptor. Struts pacers in the front. Spring seat spacers in the front and replacing the springs like I did.
Strut spacers definitely have their place on a ranger raptor. The main benefit is they create a little more room when the front suspension is fully compressed. If you want to fit a 35” tyre you definitely need to go this way. One thing we know from the 60 XPLR raptor is 35” tyres will hit the guards under full compression if you don’t create the clearance.
Spring seat spacers or spring perch collars -these just raise the lower spring seat and compress the spring essentially pre loading the coil to create lift. Without changing the spring rate I do believe it’s not a bad option in theory. But I also haven’t tried them so I can’t be 100% certain. Having the shock sit higher in the stroke may affect the internal bypassing that these shocks have.
Replacing the springs - the option I went with. Changing spring rates making it sit higher, also the coil length appears slightly longer this obviously will lift your raptor ranger. This gives the ability to balance out weight of accessories i.e. bullbars winches etc. As with the spring seat spacers having the shock sit higher in the stroke may affect the internal bypassing that these shocks have.
I went to The 4x4 Centre and got the boys to do this job for me. For two main reasons. I don’t have a spring compressor strong enough to compress a 4wd coil and they have the software to be able to recalibrate the raptor rangers fox live valving sensors.
The King Springs for the next gen raptor ranger lift it 2n1. That’s 2” in the front and 1” in the rear. What we found is it was around 18mm in the rear and 40mm in the front achieved. I believe this is mainly because my raptor had only travelled about 200 km at the time and the factory springs hadn’t truly settled in to their position. Overall this is a subtle lift, just big enough to tell it’s not the standard height. I really like how it sits now.
But how does it preform? It’s still really good, slightly stiffer than standard. Driving before the live valve recalibration you can definitely notice a difference once it’s done.
Would I do it again? In all honesty I think it actually would be better in the front with strut spacers. Not because this is bad just because the factory set up is pretty much perfect.
14 окт 2024
