Best Lift Kits for 1983-1997 Ford Ranger 4x4 Reviewed

The 1983–1997 Ford Ranger is one of the best budget trail rigs you can build, and a suspension lift is the single mod that unlocks bigger tires and real ground clearance. But the first-gen Ranger 4x4 uses a Twin Traction Beam (TTB) independent front end, so you cannot just bolt on any lift — you need a kit engineered with radius arm drop brackets and a dropped pitman arm to keep the geometry right. In this buyer's guide we compare the best lift kits for the 1983–1997 Ford Ranger 4x4 in stock at NLP Performance, from a mild 2 in daily-driver system up to a 6 in setup that clears 33 in tires, with real part numbers, pricing, and fitment.

How We Picked the Best 1983–1997 Ranger Lift Kits

Every kit in this guide is a complete, model-specific system for the 1983–1997 Ford Ranger 4x4 — not a universal coil spacer. We prioritized three things that actually matter on a TTB truck: correct suspension geometry (radius arm and axle pivot drop brackets that preserve caster), a spring package tuned for on-road manners, and a manufacturer warranty. We only listed parts in stock and shippable from NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, and we cross-checked lift heights against real-world tire fitment so you know exactly what will roll under your fenders. The result is a spread from Skyjacker and Tuff Country covering 2 in, 4 in, and 6 in of lift at price points from $616 to $1,701.

Best Lift Kits for the 1983–1997 Ford Ranger 4x4

Here is how the five kits stack up head-to-head. Lift height drives your tire ceiling, spring design drives ride quality, and price reflects how complete the box is. The Skyjacker 6 in system is our overall Top Pick; the Tuff Country 4 in SX6000 kit is the value play.

1. Skyjacker 6 in Softride System — Best Overall

If you want the most capable lift for a first-gen Ranger 4x4 without turning it into a harsh-riding trailer queen, this is it. Skyjacker's 6 in Softride System bundles a front Softride coil spring set, rear leaf springs, and a heavy-duty drop-bracket box (part sky136RHS) that relocates the radius arm and axle pivots to keep your caster and pinion angle correct. Every bracket is powder-coated black to resist corrosion, and the whole system carries Skyjacker's Limited Lifetime Warranty. At 6 in of lift, this setup comfortably clears 33x12.50 in tires with stock fenders — the sweet spot for a 1993–1997 Ranger trail build.

2. Skyjacker 4 in Softride System — Best Balanced Lift

Not everyone needs 6 in. The 4 in Softride System (part sky134RHKS) gives you a serious stance and room for 31–33 in tires while keeping the drivetrain angles more streetable than a full 6 in kit. It uses the same proven Skyjacker recipe: Softride front coils, rear leaf springs, and HD drop brackets to correct the TTB geometry, all powder-coated and warrantied for life. For a daily-driven 1988–1997 Ranger that still sees weekend trails, this is the geometry-friendly middle ground — and at $1,275.70 it is priced within a few dollars of the 6 in system, so choose by how much tire you actually want.

3. Tuff Country 4 in Lift Kit (SX6000) — Best Value

Tuff Country is the bang-for-the-buck champ of TTB Ranger lifts, and at $1,206.64 (down from $1,460.83) this 4 in kit is the cheapest complete 4 in system here. What sets it apart is the design: it includes extended radius arms for improved articulation and tire clearance, EZ-Ride coil springs up front, add-a-leafs in the rear, plus radius arm drop brackets, axle pivot brackets, and sway bar drop brackets to hold your alignment. Tuff Country's eccentric cam bolts on the axle brackets make dialing in caster far easier than most budget kits — a genuine install advantage. It is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

4. Skyjacker 2 in Ranger System — Best Mild Lift

Want a leveled, slightly taller stance and room for 30–31 in tires without committing to drop brackets and a big alignment bill? The Skyjacker 2 in System (part sky132XKS) fits 1990–1997 Ranger STX and XLT models and is the mildest, most street-friendly lift in this guide at $742.16. It pairs a Softride coil spring set up front with rear leaf springs, so you get a modest boost in ride height and ground clearance while keeping the truck's road manners nearly stock. This is the pick for a clean daily driver, a mall-crawler with a little attitude, or a first-time lift.

5. Skyjacker 6 in Component Box — Best Budget Buy

If you already have (or are sourcing) the springs, this is the smart way into a Skyjacker 6 in lift. The Suspension Lift Kit Component Box (part 236RHS) is the premium hardware half of Skyjacker's 6 in Ranger 4WD system — the heavy-duty drop brackets, dropped pitman arm, and mounting hardware needed to complement the coil and leaf springs. At $616.29 it is the lowest-cost entry point to a Skyjacker lift on this list. Just note that it is a component box: other parts are required for a complete kit, so confirm you have the matching springs before you order. It carries the same Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Understanding the Ranger's TTB Front Suspension

The 1983–1997 Ford Ranger 4x4 uses a Twin Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension — two separate beams that pivot in the middle of the chassis, each carrying one wheel and half of the front axle. Early trucks (1983–1989) run the smaller Dana 28 front axle, while 1990–1997 models got the stronger Dana 35 TTB. This design is why you cannot lift a Ranger with a simple spacer: raising the truck changes the arc of the beams and radius arms, which throws off caster and camber. A properly engineered kit corrects this with radius arm drop brackets, axle pivot (I-beam) drop brackets, and a dropped pitman arm so the steering and alignment return to factory spec.

Higher-end kits also include extended radius arms — typically about 1-1/4 in longer — which restore correct caster and let the wheel travel through a larger arc for better articulation off-road. The Tuff Country kits in this guide use that extended-arm approach, while Skyjacker's Softride systems rely on heavy-duty drop brackets and Softride coils to keep the geometry and ride dialed in. Either way, the goal is the same: gain height without sacrificing the smooth, predictable handling that makes the TTB Ranger such a good street-and-trail platform.

What Tire Size Fits a Lifted 83–97 Ranger?

Lift height sets your tire ceiling. A 4 in suspension lift on a 1983–1997 Ranger comfortably clears 31 in tires on stock fenders, and can step up to 33 in tires when paired with a 2–3 in body lift and light fender trimming. A 6 in suspension lift clears 33x12.50x15 in tires with the factory sheet metal, which is the practical maximum before you start cutting. Running 35 in tires is possible but generally requires fiberglass front fenders and pulled or fiberglass bedsides, so most builders stop at 33s.

Axle strength matters too. The 1983–1989 Ranger's Dana 28 front axle is happiest on 31 in tires; jumping to 33 in or larger raises the risk of snapping locking hubs or axle-shaft u-joints, especially with aggressive wheeling. The 1990–1997 Dana 35 handles 33s far better. Match your tire ambitions to your axle, and you will keep the truck reliable instead of parked waiting on parts.

Skyjacker vs Tuff Country: Which Should You Buy?

Skyjacker and Tuff Country are the two most popular names for TTB Ranger lifts, and they target slightly different buyers. Skyjacker's Softride systems are widely regarded as some of the best money can buy for the 1983–1997 Ranger: they deliver a smooth, comfortable ride, ship complete with HD drop brackets and hardware, and carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty. If ride quality and a bolt-in, complete-in-the-box experience are your priorities, Skyjacker is the pick.

Tuff Country is the value leader. Its EZ-Ride kits are strong enough for most wheeling, add extended radius arms for articulation, and use eccentric cam bolts that make alignment noticeably easier — those bolts effectively give you both 3 in and 4 in drop-bracket settings so you can fine-tune as the coils settle. The trade-off is a slightly firmer ride than Skyjacker's Softride coils. For a budget-minded 4 in build that still wheels hard, Tuff Country is hard to beat; for the plushest ride and maximum height, go Skyjacker. Whichever you choose, plan on a dropped pitman arm and extended brake lines to finish the job right.

Installation & What Else You'll Need

Installing a TTB Ranger lift is a solid weekend job for a mechanically confident owner with a jack, stands, and hand tools — plan on roughly 8–12 hours for a first-timer on a 4 in or 6 in system. Beyond the kit itself, budget for a few supporting items: a dropped pitman arm (often included on complete systems, separate on component boxes), extended stainless brake lines so the front hoses reach at full droop, and a professional alignment afterward to set caster and toe. On higher lifts you may also want a driveshaft check or CV/slip-yoke inspection, plus extended sway bar end links. Torque everything to spec, re-check hardware after your first 100 miles, and confirm the front shocks are valved for the new travel. Do it right and a 30-year-old Ranger will ride and steer like it left the factory — just taller.