FABTECH FTL5210 2.5 Inch Ford Ranger 4WD Leveling Kit Instruction Manual
- June 9, 2024
- FABTECH
Table of Contents
FABTECH FTL5210 2.5 Inch Ford Ranger 4WD Leveling Kit
NOTE: TO ORDER WEARABLE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS DO NOT USE PART NUMBERS
SHOWN ON THIS
INSTRUCTION SHEET. GO TO FABTECH WEBSITE AND LOOK UP WEARABLE REPLACEMENT
PARTS TO FIND THE PROPER PART NUMBER TO ORDER.
ABOUT COMPANY
- Fabtech Motorsports
- 4331 Eucalyptus Ave. Chino, CA 91710
- Tech Line: 909-597-7800
- Fax: 909-597-7185
- Web: www.fabtechmotorsports.com
TOOL LIST
Required Tools (Not Included)
- Basic Hand Tools
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
- Assorted Metric and S.A.E sockets, and Allen wrenches
- Torque Wrench
- Die Grinder w/ Cutoff Wheel or Sawzall
- Coil Compressor
PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES
For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800 or e-mail: info@fabtechmotorsports.com
READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION
-
Check all parts to the parts list above before beginning installation. If any parts are missing contact Fabtech at 909-597-7800 and a replacement part will be sent to you immediately.
-
Read all instructions thoroughly from start to finish before beginning the installation. If these instructions are not properly followed severe frame, driveline and / or suspension damage may occur.
-
Check your local city and state laws prior to the installation of this system for legality. Do not install if not legal in your area.
-
Prior to the installation of this suspension system perform a front end alignment and record. Do not install this system if the vehicle alignment is not within factory specifications. Check for frame and suspension damage prior to installation.
-
The installation of this suspension system should be performed by two professional mechanics.
-
This suspension must be installed with Fabtech shock absorbers.
-
Use the provided thread locking compound on all hardware.
WARNING- Installation of this system will alter the center of gravity of the vehicle and may increase roll over as compared to stock. -
Vehicles that receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs, tie rods ends, pitman arm and idler arm every 2500- 5000 miles for wear and replace as needed.
-
Verify differential fluid is at manufactures recommended level prior to kit installation. Installation of the kit will reposition the differential and the fill plug hole may be in a different position. (For example, if the manufacture recommends 3 quarts of fluid, make sure the diff has 3 quarts of fluid). Check your specific manual for correct amount of fluid.
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE PER FORD MOTOR CO.
Do not use 4H or 4L mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components. 4H or 4L
mode is only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces. Use of 4L
mode on these surfaces may produce some noise, such as occasional clunks, but
should not damage drive components.
TIRE & WHEEL SIZES
- 255/75R17 tires w/Factory Wheels w/minor trimming
- 265/70R17 tires w/Factory Wheels w/minor trimming
- 265/65R18 tires w/Factory Wheels w/minor trimming
- 285/55R20 tires w/20×9 wheels w/6-1/2” BS w/minor trimming
FOOTNOTES
Some models may not sit level after install
INSTRUCTIONS
- Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Jack up the front end of the truck and support the frame rails with jack stands. NEVER WORK UNDER AN UNSUPPORTED VEHICLE! Remove the front tires.
- Using an 8mm & 10mm socket, remove the ABS line and brake line brackets from the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 1-2
- Remove the ABS sensor from the knuckle using an 8mm socket. Secure the sensor in the wheel well so it does not get damaged. SEE FIGURES 3-4
-
Use a 15mm socket to loosen the tie rod nut. Using a hammer strike the knuckle to unseat the tie rod, then remove the tie rod from the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 3-4
-
Using an 18mm socket, remove the sway bar end link nut attaching the link to the knuckle. Then, detach the link from the back side of the knuckle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 7-8
- Unbolt the caliper from the knuckle and remove. NOTE: Secure it to the frame so it does not hang from the hose. Then, remove the brake rotor and set aside. SEE FIGURES 9-10
-
Use a 35mm socket to remove the axle nut from the hub assembly. Save hardware. SEE FIGURE 11
-
Using a soft metal brass punch and hammer. Tap the axle shaft untill its unseated from the hub assembly. SEE FIGURE 12
-
Use an 18mm wrench to loosen the upper control arm ball joint nut. Strike the top of the knuckle to unseat the ball joint from the knuckle. Remove and save the nut. Make sure the CV axle is dislodged from the knuckle and let the knuckle rest to the side. SEE FIGURES 13-15
-
With a jack supporting the lower control arm. Use an 18mm socket to remove the two lower strut nuts on the bottom of the lower control arm. Save hardware. SEE FIGURE 16
-
Loosen the lower control arm alignment cam bolts so the control arm can swing down freely. SEE FIGURE 17
-
Remove the three strut nuts from the top mount and remove the strut assembly from the vehicle. Save hardware. SEE FIGURES 18-19
-
Remove 1/4” from the end of all three upper strut assembly studs. Remove the locating pin from the factory strut top cap and discard. SEE FIGURES 20-21
-
Using a coil spring compressor. Compress the coil just enough to rotate the top cap 60 degrees clockwise (looking at the top of the strut). SEE FIGURES 22
-
Install FT30844 (Spacer) onto the strut using the factory hardware. Torque to 53 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 23
-
Reinstall the strut assembly using the supplied 3/8” X 1” bolts, lock washers and flat washer at the upper mount and factory hardware at the lower mount. Torque the 3/8” hardware to 45 ft-lbs and the factory lower hardware to 93 ft-lbs. SEE FIGURE 24-25
- Re-attach the upper control arm to the knuckle. Torque the ball joint nut to 32 ft-lbs. NOTE: Make sure the CV axle is seated correctly into the hub assembly.
- Install the CV axle nut using a 35mm socket. Torque to 249 ft-lbs.
- Reinstall the ABS sensor into the knuckle. Torque to 8 ft-lbs.
- Reinstall both the ABS wire & brakeline brackets to the knuckle using the factory hardware. Torque to 10 ft-lbs.
- Reinstall the tie rod into the knuckle using the factory nut. Torque to 32 ft-lbs.
- Reinstall the brake rotor and caliper. Torque caliper bolts to 148 ft-lbs.
- Repeat steps 2-22 on the opposite side of the vehicle.
- Reinstall the sway bar end link to the knuckle using the factory hardware. Torque to 32 ft-lbs.
- Torque the lower control arm cam bolts to 148 ft-lbs
- Install tires and wheels and torque lug nuts to wheel manufacturer’s specifications. Turn front tires left to right and check for appropriate tire clearance. Note – Some oversized tires may require trimming of the front bumper & valance.
- Recheck all bolts for proper torque.
- Recheck brake hoses, ABS wires and suspension parts for proper tire clearance while turning tires fully left to right.
- Take the vehicle to a qualified alignment shop to be aligned properly. Readjust headlight angle.
- Check the fluid in the front and rear differential and fill if needed with factory specification differential oil. Note – some differentials may expel fluid after filling and driving. This can be normal in resetting the fluid level with the new position of the differential/s.
- Install Driver Warning Decal. Complete product registration card and mail to Fabtech in order to receive future safety and technical bulletins on this suspension. Vehicles that will receive oversized tires should check ball joints, uniballs and all steering components every 2500-5000 miles for wear and replace as required.
RETORQUE ALL NUTS, BOLTS AND LUGS AFTER 50 MILES AND PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
For technical assistance call: 909-597-7800
Product Warranty and Warnings
- Fabtech provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original retail purchaser who owns the vehicle, on which the product was originally installed, for defects in workmanship and materials.
- The Limited Lifetime Warranty excludes the following Fabtech items; bushings, bump stops, ball joints, tie rod ends, limiting straps, cross shafts, heim joints and driveshafts. These parts are subject to wear and are not considered defective when worn.
- They are warranted for 60 days from the date of purchase for defects in workmanship.
- Dirt Logic and Performance Coilover take apart shocks are considered a serviceable shock with a one year warranty on leakage only. Service seal kits are available separately for future maintenance. All other shocks are covered under our Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Fabtech does not warrant any product for finish, alterations, modifications and/or installation contrary to Fabtech’s instructions.
- Alterations to the finish of the parts including but not limited to painting, powder coating, plating and/or welding will void all warranties. Some finish damage may occur to parts during shipping, which is considered normal and is not covered under warranty.
- Fabtech products are not designed nor intended to be installed on vehicles used in race applications or for racing purposes or for similar activities. (A “RACE” is defined as any contest between two or more vehicles, or any contest of one or more vehicle against the clock, whether or not such contest is for a prize). This warranty does not include coverage for police or taxi vehicles, race vehicles, or vehicles used for government or commercial purposes. Also excluded from this warranty are sales outside of the United States of America.
- Installation of most suspension products will raise the center of gravity of the vehicle and will cause the vehicle to handle differently than stock. It may increase the vehicle’s susceptibility to a rollover, on road and off road, at all speeds. Extreme care should be taken to operate the vehicle safely at all times to prevent rollover or loss of control resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fabtech front end Desert Guards may impair the deployment or operation of vehicles equipped with supplemental restraining systems/air bag systems and should not be installed if the vehicle is equipped as so.
- Fabtech makes every effort to ensure suspension product compatibility with all vehicles listed on the website, but due to unknown auto manufacturer’s production changes and/or inconstancies by the auto manufacturer, Fabtech cannot be responsible for 100% compatibility, including the fitment of tire and wheel sizes listed. The Tire and Wheel sizes listed in Fabtech’s website are only a guideline for street driving with noted fender trimming. Fabtech is not responsible for damages to the vehicle’s body or tires. Fabtech is not responsible for premature wear of factory components due to the installation of oversized tires and wheels.
- Fabtech’s obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at Fabtech option, of the defective product only.
- All costs of removal, installation or re-installation, freight charges, incidental or consequential damages are expressly excluded from this warranty. Fabtech is not responsible for damages and/or warranty of other vehicle parts related or non related to the installed Fabtech product. This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied. This warranty shall not apply to any product that has been subject to accident, negligence, alteration, abuse or misuse as determined by Fabtech.
- Fabtech suspension components must be installed as a complete system including shocks as shown on our website. All warranties will become void if Fabtech parts are combined and/or substituted with other aftermarket suspension products.
- Combination and/or substitution of other aftermarket suspension parts may cause premature wear and/or product failure resulting in an accident causing injury or death. Fabtech does not warrant products not manufactured by Fabtech.
- Depending on the condition of the factory suspension components retained after the installation of a Fabtech suspension not all vehicles may have the same ride stance front to rear as described in the website. The blue color of suspension components shown in all Fabtech photographs are for display purposes only. Majority of all Fabtech components will be black specifically where noted with part numbers ending in BK.
- Installation of Fabtech product may void the vehicles factory warranty; it is the consumer’s responsibility to check with their local vehicle’s dealer for warranty disposition before the installation of the product. Some state laws may prohibit modification of suspension to a vehicle in whole or in part. It is the responsibility of the installer and consumer to consult local laws prior to the installation of any Fabtech suspension product to comply with such written laws.
- It is the responsibility of the distributor and/or the retailer to review all warranties and warnings of Fabtech products with the consumer prior to purchase.
- Fabtech reserves the right to super cede, discontinue, change the design, finish, part number and/or application of parts when deemed necessary without written notice. Fabtech is not responsible for misprints or typographical errors within the website or price sheet. For the most recent Product Warranty and Warnings visit our website www.fabtechmotorsports.com