Question on the RCD coil over replacement lift kit

[Jay Cronin]

i just bought my sport trac in may and i want to lift it but i dont know what i want to go with. i was wondering if anyone has any guidance as to what lift i should go with...



i was thinkin about going with a 3in body lift, and either a 4" superlift or the 5.5" RCD coilover replacement lift, because i want to run 35's. and from what ive been reading im leaning towards the RCD and for the extra 1.5" of clearance... but i cant find out where to get the RCD lift at though, so i really cant compare the 2... does anyone know where to find the RCD lift for the '01? any and all guidance on the lifting will be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

[Chad Merry]

The RCD kit will get you about 5" of lift depending on how much preload you place on the front coil over springs. Also the RCD kit it is made for a ranger, so you will need to get heavier springs for the front shocks. They come with 600# springs, and I have 700# springs, the ST is alot heavier than a Ranger. Also the other problem I have heard about the RCD kit is the Bilstein coil overs are not very good. I beleive people have said they dont have enough travel.



The RCD kit is a nice kit, and if I was to do it all over again I would use that kit as well. I have the Superlift kit, and I am finally finishing my coilover conversion tonight after work.



I have Fox 2.0 Pro Series Emulsion coilover shocks with 700# Hypercoil springs. I am also installingmy body lift this weekend as well. Then it will be time to put the 35's on!!!





Chad

 

[Johnny O]

From their site:

Call 1-619-588-4723 for a distributor near you or email us at [email protected]. Please include your city, state, and zip code with your email request.

Do note that they do not make a Sport Trac-specific kit, so you're on your own to lift the rear.

A Ranger is sprung-over, so they use blocks to lift the rear. My suggestion would be to use the Warrior 1.25" shackles with Superlift 4" rear springs, they will sell them separately. Dixon Brothers also makes a coil-over kit, costs more, but you could also get just the Deaver rear leaf springs from them.

 

[Jay Cronin]

hey ya'll thanks again for all the guidance. but yet i still have a few more questions. first will the RCD kit mount right up on the ST or will i hafta do some fabrication to the front end??and another thing, would 4:56 gears be a good choice to go with to hook up the 35's good and prevent from losing to much gas mileage?? im no really looking to do too much off-roading with it, just muddin really... would it be a better choice cost wise and for what im going to use the truck for to just go with the 4" superlift, 3" BL, a 1-2 in TT and the 1.25" shackle?? i the only reason for the TT and shackle lift is so i wount hafta do any cutting to run the 35's. and one more question does anyone know if the superlift comes with a pinion kit or would i hafta purchase that separately?? cuz ive heard after installing the shackle on that much lift already it tends to affect the pinion angle... is this true??

 

[Dan Vinke]

I might be wrong, but I was under the impression that could run 35's no problem with just the 3" body lift and a TT/shackle.

 

[Johnny O]

will the RCD kit mount right up on the ST or will i hafta do some fabrication to the front end??

Should fit fine, the front end is the same as a Ranger.

and another thing, would 4:56 gears be a good choice to go with to hook up the 35's good and prevent from losing to much gas mileage??

Yes.

im no really looking to do too much off-roading with it, just muddin really... would it be a better choice cost wise and for what im going to use the truck for to just go with the 4" superlift, 3" BL, a 1-2 in TT and the 1.25" shackle?? i the only reason for the TT and shackle lift is so i wount hafta do any cutting to run the 35's.

Yes. Just the Superlift and BL should fit 35's fine. I would avoid a TT with 35's because of the increased angle you get on the halfshafts and CV joints and they'll need all the help they can get. My old Ranger and my Trac both with TT have more halfshaft angle than a truck with a 4" Superlift, I've seen this with my own eyes. However with 35's if you're planning on deep mud you should learn how to change halfshafts if you don't already. You could put on Bushwhacker flares too.

and one more question does anyone know if the superlift comes with a pinion kit or would i hafta purchase that separately?? cuz ive heard after installing the shackle on that much lift already it tends to affect the pinion angle... is this true??

Not to my knowledge and I don't think it's really needed. Superlift does recommend using their front driveshaft with the double u-joint though.

I might be wrong, but I was under the impression that could run 35's no problem with just the 3" body lift and a TT/shackle.

I'd doubt it. Plenty of room in the back, the problem is the front.