Thoughts on lift options when the front is already sagging from added weight

[PatrickT]

I am looking for advice on lift options for a Ranger Raptor when the front end is already sagging 1 inch due to added weight from steel skid plates and rock sliders. I added 3/16 steel skid plates and frame mounted rock sliders from RCI that added about 200 lbs over stock weight to the truck. It caused the front to come down an inch. I want to put 35 inch tires on the truck eventually so I would like to lift it. I was planning on a 2 inch lift in the front from strut spacers and possibly an inch lift in the back. Should I still go forward with that plan or do I need additional lift now?

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[Mystic]

I have the Rival winch bumper and rocky road sliders, so a very similar situation weight-wise. I also have a RETRAX manual retractable tonneau cover in the back, however much weight that is.

I'm running 3" RPG perch collars up front and adjustables in the rear set at either 2-7/8" or 3.25" cant remember off the top of my head.

I wanted something that would be close to factory rake, and it basically worked out that way.

I'm running Method 703s wrapped in 35x12.5 Toyo AT3s, and they clear fine...all the crash bars have to come out though. If you opt to run 34s or undersized 35s you MIGHT not have to remove the rear crash bars, but I had to with true 35s.

Edit: Pic of unloaded truck for reference

 

[PatrickT]

Wow that looks great! Did you by chance measure anything before and after the lift?

 

[daytoncarter]

I am looking for advice on lift options for a Ranger Raptor when the front end is already sagging 1 inch due to added weight from steel skid plates and rock sliders. I added 3/16 steel skid plates and frame mounted rock sliders from RCI that added about 200 lbs over stock weight to the truck. It caused the front to come down an inch. I want to put 35 inch tires on the truck eventually so I would like to lift it. I was planning on a 2 inch lift in the front from strut spacers and possibly an inch lift in the back. Should I still go forward with that plan or do I need additional lift now?

I would skip the strut spacer in your situation and look for an upgraded spring. The extra weight is putting preload on the suspension that is likely to limit your compression travel in bumps making the front less stable.

 

[Mystic]

Wow that looks great! Did you by chance measure anything before and after the lift?

Unfortunately not, because I put on the bumper after the lift was done. I lost ~1 inch up front after the bumper was installed. Was thinking about adjusting the rear collars after, but rake and handling seems okay.

 

[ryanO]

I am looking for advice on lift options for a Ranger Raptor when the front end is already sagging 1 inch due to added weight from steel skid plates and rock sliders. I added 3/16 steel skid plates and frame mounted rock sliders from RCI that added about 200 lbs over stock weight to the truck. It caused the front to come down an inch. I want to put 35 inch tires on the truck eventually so I would like to lift it. I was planning on a 2 inch lift in the front from strut spacers and possibly an inch lift in the back. Should I still go forward with that plan or do I need additional lift now?

I highly recommend upgrading your springs. The extra weight needs greater support. Look at Eibach and Dobinson.

 

[yerkool]

I am looking for advice on lift options for a Ranger Raptor when the front end is already sagging 1 inch due to added weight from steel skid plates and rock sliders. I added 3/16 steel skid plates and frame mounted rock sliders from RCI that added about 200 lbs over stock weight to the truck. It caused the front to come down an inch. I want to put 35 inch tires on the truck eventually so I would like to lift it. I was planning on a 2 inch lift in the front from strut spacers and possibly an inch lift in the back. Should I still go forward with that plan or do I need additional lift now?

Check the Old Man EMU heavy duty front springs

 

[cc1999]

Can you maintain or maybe get a softer ride with any of the aftermarket springs, or will they all ride stiffer.

Question for the OP how is your ride and handling been effected by the added weight. About the same, smoother, rougher. Etc.

200 pounds doesn’t sound like all that much weight to me, pretty much like carrying an adult passenger. I would be a little surprised if there was a noticeable difference.

With my RRs I have noticed 200-300lbs in the bed seems to stiffen the ride a bit, at 600-800lbs it’s starts to soften back up , curious how the front is reacting to added weight.

 

[ryanO]

Can you maintain or maybe get a softer ride with any of the aftermarket springs, or will they all ride stiffer.

Question for the OP how is your ride and handling been effected by the added weight. About the same, smoother, rougher. Etc.

200 pounds doesn’t sound like all that much weight to me, pretty much like carrying an adult passenger. I would be a little surprised if there was a noticeable difference.

With my RRs I have noticed 200-300lbs in the bed seems to stiffen the ride a bit, at 600-800lbs it’s starts to soften back up , curious how the front is reacting to added weight.

200lbs in the cab isn't like 200lbs at the nose. The passenger creates less of an affect because they are behind the location of the suspension. 200lbs at the nose is in front of the suspension and therefore creates more torque.
It's not wise to add that much weight to the nose without addressing the spring rate to compensate for it.

 

[cc1999]

200lbs in the cab isn't like 200lbs at the nose. The passenger creates less of an affect because they are behind the location of the suspension. 200lbs at the nose is in front of the suspension and therefore creates more torque.
It's not wise to add that much weight to the nose without addressing the spring rate to compensate for it.

I am aware of that. Which is why I was asking . The weight the op added is not all on the nose, some is on each side of cab with rock sliders that were mentioned as part of the 200 lbs added weight. The rest of the weight was skid plates which would be spread across the under carriage.

The other post with that bumper and winch would be creating more leverage then the skid plates and rock sliders. I would think skid plates and rock sliders would be noticeably different in effects compared to that bumper and winch, due to those different locations of the weight should mean noticible differences in effects coming from the weight.

I was just curious what they had noticed from the added weight.

 

[expertcom]

Rival bumper and winch. Geisser offroad springs got the front a little higher than stock.

 

[PatrickT]

I was surprised that the truck has sagged in the front as much as it has. For all the reasons mentioned above regarding the location of the added weight. The ride feel has changed a little as well. Not terrible but noticeable from stock. It wallows a bit more. Not as firm in the turns. Sounds like some form of upgraded springs would be beneficial. One brand not mentioned is Hyperco. Any thoughts on them. The Geisers are progressive springs and offer a 1.25 inch lift while the Eibach and Hyperco are both linear springs I think and they offer 2.25 inches of lift.

 

[expertcom]

Results with Geiser Springs in the front. 570mm seems to be the commonly used stock height.
Original height 540mm, After height 600mm. They do feel progressive and also do seem a little stiffer in the front.

 

[Grabber]

I have the Rival winch bumper and rocky road sliders, so a very similar situation weight-wise. I also have a RETRAX manual retractable tonneau cover in the back, however much weight that is.

I'm running 3" RPG perch collars up front and adjustables in the rear set at either 2-7/8" or 3.25" cant remember off the top of my head.

I wanted something that would be close to factory rake, and it basically worked out that way.

I'm running Method 703s wrapped in 35x12.5 Toyo AT3s, and they clear fine...all the crash bars have to come out though. If you opt to run 34s or undersized 35s you MIGHT not have to remove the rear crash bars, but I had to with true 35s.

Edit: Pic of unloaded truck for reference

The stance of your truck is perfect.

 

[cc1999]

I was surprised that the truck has sagged in the front as much as it has. For all the reasons mentioned above regarding the location of the added weight. The ride feel has changed a little as well. Not terrible but noticeable from stock. It wallows a bit more. Not as firm in the turns. Sounds like some form of upgraded springs would be beneficial. One brand not mentioned is Hyperco. Any thoughts on them. The Geisers are progressive springs and offer a 1.25 inch lift while the Eibach and Hyperco are both linear springs I think and they offer 2.25 inches of lift.

Some of that sag may not be entirely related to your added weight.
This discussion got me thinking so measured all 3 of my RRs all stock suspension with OEM size tires.

2024 w/13k miles 37” note: no side steps so weight was slightly removed not added to cab. Some weight added to bed, rack, tool box bed mat approximately 250 lbs in the bed

2025 w/3k miles 37.5” note: Steps staging on this one for Rick protection. Weight added to the bed about 200 lbs , from topper, bed rug, and a few tools.

2025 w/ 9.2 miles brand new 37.75” Only thing in the bed is a rubber bed mat. 30 lbs prox.

From new to 13k miles lost 0.75 (3/4“) in height. No added weight to the nose or cab Section.

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