The ULTIMATE guide to lifting your Ranger Raptor

[RangerGrif43]

@nedmo I'm probably getting these wheels. Would I want the +1 offset or -12 offset?

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/fuel-off-road-covert-matte-bronze-w-black-ring

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[nedmo]

@nedmo I'm probably getting these wheels. Would I want the +1 offset or -12 offset?

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/fuel-off-road-covert-matte-bronze-w-black-ring

umm well depends if your prefer 2in of poke or 2.5in of poke. My opinion is neither of them is even remotely the correct offset for ranger raptors on 35s.

Our recommendation is no lower than P30 for a functional fitment

 

[nedmo]

A dumb question. My neighbor and I used forescan earlier to recalibrate my RR after having a leveling kit installed. I’m just not sure we did it correctly. So, any harm if we did the recalibration again following your instructions?

No, can do it as many times as you want. USe the PID viewer to confirm. It should be within 0 +/-1mm

 

[chadc147]

@nedmo - I came across your article about re-gearing the Ranger Raptor to accommodate 35” tires properly, and after reading it, I have to admit—it made me reconsider going that route. I’d rather not spend the money or deal with the hassle of re-gearing. I’m sure 90% of folks who lift their Raptors and fit larger tires do not do this.. That said, how noticeable is the impact on ride quality if you skip that step but still do everything else correctly (installing 2” front/1” rear strut spacers, performing the Forscan recalibration, and running +25 offset wheels with the 35”s)? Is shifting performance + fuel economy dramatically compromised?

I’m really torn about proceeding with the lift and 35” tire setup. The look is undeniably better, but is it worth the added effort and cost? I can’t help but wonder if I’ll regret it once the driving performance takes a hit from the larger tire circumference, gearing mismatch, and reduced fuel efficiency.

Thanks for reading, and apologies if you had already addressed this in another thread.

 

[nedmo]

@nedmo - I came across your article about re-gearing the Ranger Raptor to accommodate 35” tires properly, and after reading it, I have to admit—it made me reconsider going that route. I’d rather not spend the money or deal with the hassle of re-gearing. I’m sure 90% of folks who lift their Raptors and fit larger tires do not do this.. That said, how noticeable is the impact on ride quality if you skip that step but still do everything else correctly (installing 2” front/1” rear strut spacers, performing the Forscan recalibration, and running +25 offset wheels with the 35”s)? Is shifting performance + fuel economy dramatically compromised?

I’m really torn about proceeding with the lift and 35” tire setup. The look is undeniably better, but is it worth the added effort and cost? I can’t help but wonder if I’ll regret it once the driving performance takes a hit from the larger tire circumference, gearing mismatch, and reduced fuel efficiency.

Thanks for reading, and apologies if you had already addressed this in another thread.

Hi Chad

That article is aimed at standard Rangers, where they come with 30.2" tyres factory. So the jump from that to 35s is a significant change in final drive. We also only offer gearsets currently to suit the Rangers and not the Ranger Raptors.

The Ranger Raptor, being that they are a 33" factory the jump isnt as dramatic.

 

[chadc147]

That’s reassuring - thanks for the reply!

 

[nedmo]

Driveability can be slightly improved by changing the tire diamater in the body control module using ForScan

 

[YukonRanger]

I am jonesing to lift my raptor still, but I'm worried a strut spacer will cause the piston rod to bottom out up top.

I may just bite the bullet and save up for portals, but good grief the price is absurd.

If I add your spacer kit @nedmo, would they need to be removed for installing portals or could you keep both?

 

[nedmo]

I am jonesing to lift my raptor still, but I'm worried a strut spacer will cause the piston rod to bottom out up top.

I may just bite the bullet and save up for portals, but good grief the price is absurd.

If I add your spacer kit @nedmo, would they need to be removed for installing portals or could you keep both?

Strut spacers do not change a single aspect of how the shock works. It still hits the bumpstop at the same point as factory. They dont add any extra stress to any part.

Of course they can be combined with portals.

 

[first_ranger]

I also purchased the 2”/1” lift kit from @nedmo and it delivered all the way to Phoenix within a week.

Ned also recommended purchasing 35x11.5s

Very happy with the look and performance. Thanks!

 

[nedmo]

I also purchased the 2”/1” lift kit from @nedmo and it delivered all the way to Phoenix within a week.

Ned also recommended purchasing 35x11.5s

Very happy with the look and performance. Thanks!

Looks awesome man! 35x11.5 are look perfect!

 

[E40]

@first_ranger

Looks great!!

For the rear, did you see/notice any brake lines/wire harness seemed stretched with 1" spacer?

 

[Lion77]

One thing seems to be sure when it comes to 35's; strut spacers are the way to go if you want to accomodate 35's and plan to jump it, plus it's obviously very advantageous for rough 4x4 type terrain.

So, it all depends on what you want to do, I'd argue that more Rally style use on higher speed dirt roads, farm fields, prepped tracks etc., stock is going to better in terms of response / handling / CG, also for on-road and towing, stock is optimal.

For rough terrain, rock crawling, rough trails etc., strut spacers and 35's make it comparable to the ZR2 Bison with 35's in terms of stance / clearance, which is more focused on traditional 4x4 uses, although I'm sure a lifted RR on 35's still drives a LOT better than the ZR2 Bison given the powertrain disparity and shock tuning advantages.

Most of the reviews I've seen of the ZR2 Bison or AT4X's on 35's said the truck was pretty sluggish on-road as 310 hp doesn't go as far with big heavy tires and wheels, something the 3.0L really would help with when comparatively equipped.

Can't argue with that though, either way, Rally style or 4x4 style, it's an awesome truck! I'm assuming the 35x11.5 has proper clearance at full compression compared to a 315/70R17? Both have about a 34.5" diameter, but the 315 is obviously wider.

 

[embedded rock]

Those ZR2 Bisons are rolling with 3.42 axle gears too.

 

[Shoegum]

What is everyone's thoughts on how the SDI bucket assembly / top hat replacement that gives a 1.75" lift. They make them for the Gen2/3 Ford Raptor and after talking to their sales dept they are working on and plan to release a Ranger Raptor version sometime Q1/Q2 2026. It is a billet strut mount replacement and goes about the 1.75" lift between a spacer lift and a bit of preload. Here's a YouTube video talking about its benefits.

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