Technical > Installation Guide
SEMA Suspension Winners Revisited
Lifts for the Latest Popular 4x4s
story & photos by Steve Temple
In our February issue, we gave you a brief overview on these award-winning suspension systems. Here, we take a more in-depth look at their design and components.
Rancho’s 35-Inch Super Duty System
Rancho’s 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing suspension products shows in this rugged lift kit for Ford’s Super Duty (F-250 and F-350) pickups. The Rancho 35-inch Super Duty starts with a competition-grade radius arm. A key advantage of the new Rancho system is an advanced, highly engineered radius-arm bushing that helps maintain optimal steering performance on a lifted vehicle by reducing bump-steer. Also, the arm bolts directly to the factory mounting locations without cutting, welding, or drilling. This component adds strength and stability to the suspension, while maintaining the optimum caster angle.
The taller coil springs (available for all engine options) are computer calibrated to improve ride quality, and the forged Pitman arm ensures there’s no compromise in the steering geometry. A track bar relocation bracket, extended swaybar end links, and brake lines complete the front portion of the lift kit.
At the rear are spacer blocks and Rancho’s RS9000X Pro Series reservoir shocks. For an even higher level of performance, this suspension lift also will accommodate Rancho’s premium RS9000X nine-position fully adjustable shock absorbers at all four corners.
In the front, Rancho’s lift kit includes RS9000X Pro Series shocks, tubular radius arms, precision calibrated coil springs, a forged Pitman arm, track bar relocation brackets, and extended brake lines and swaybar end links. |
Rancho’s tubular arm also is fitted with a retaining strap to limit suspension droop. |
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The shock reservoirs are mounted in a protected location, behind the wheelwell and next to the frame’s body mount. |
Close-up of elongated swaybar link. |
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Heavy-duty drop bracket for the front track bar. |
A spacer block for the intermediate shaft bearing maintains the correct driveline angle after lifting the suspension. |
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At the rear are tall spacer blocks on top of the axle and Rancho’s RS9000X Pro Series shocks with reservoirs. |
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Note the differences in quality between the stock stamped-steel radius arm (top) and Rancho’s tubular radius arm. |
The company points to its radius-arm bushing as a key element in maintaining handling performance by minimizing bump steer. |
Rancho’s 35-Inch Super Duty System
A Pro Comp Titan charges through Moab with six-inch lift.
Rancho’s 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing suspension products shows in this rugged lift kit for Ford’s Super Duty (F-250 and F-350) pickups. The Rancho 35-inch Super Duty starts with a competition-grade radius arm. A key advantage of the new Rancho system is an advanced, highly engineered radius-arm bushing that helps maintain optimal steering performance on a lifted vehicle by reducing bump-steer. Also, the arm bolts directly to the factory mounting locations without cutting, welding, or drilling. This component adds strength and stability to the suspension, while maintaining the optimum caster angle.
The taller coil springs (available for all engine options) are computer calibrated to improve ride quality, and the forged Pitman arm ensures there’s no compromise in the steering geometry. A track bar relocation bracket, extended swaybar end links, and brake lines complete the front portion of the lift kit.
At the rear are spacer blocks and Rancho’s RS9000X Pro Series reservoir shocks. For an even higher level of performance, this suspension lift also will accommodate Rancho’s premium RS9000X nine-position fully adjustable shock absorbers at all four corners.
Note the extra six inches of space for suspension travel in the front-wheel opening on this Nissan Titan. The six-inch lift for the Titan 4WD pickup provides enough clearance for 35-inch tires. |
On Nissan’s new 4WD Titan, here’s all you need for an effective six-inch lift. The package includes front and rear crossmembers for the front differential, coil-over shocks, compression struts, rear blocks, and elongated front spindles and swaybar end links. |
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Close-up of elongated spindle and coil-over. |
The longer end link for the swaybar spans the extra distance created by the six-inch lift. |
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In addition to a longer end link, the swaybar’s center mounting must also be shimmed. |
View of front and rear crossmembers that drop down the front differential and the control arms in order to lift the vehicle higher. |
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This rear view of the crossmembers shows how the compression struts attach. |
To soften the ride in rough terrain, urethane bump stops are integrated with the rear crossmember. |
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The factory alignment cams are preserved, easing alignment procedure and maintenance. |
The brake lines and mounting brackets are lengthened as well to allow for increased suspension travel. |
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Billet-aluminum spacers are used to lift the rear. |
The MX6 monotube shocks in the rear have a reservoir cylinder secured to the shock body. |
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Optional traction bars bolt to the frame, with no cutting or |
The factory coil-over can be used with a spacer (top right) or replaced entirely with a Pro Comp unit. |
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Note the difference in the length of the Pro Comp spindle (left), compared with the stock Nissan unit. These elongated front spindles are one-piece cast, CNC-machined for precision fitment. |
The spherical rod end on the Pro Comp shock (right) is much tougher than the rubber bushing on the stock shock. |