The Ford Ranger is a highly capable truck, but if you’re looking to take your off-roading experience to the next level, a long travel suspension kit is an excellent upgrade.
Whether you enjoy tackling rough trails, dunes, or rock-crawling adventures, a long travel kit can provide increased suspension travel, better control, and superior handling over challenging terrains.
In this guide, we’ll dive into what a long travel kit is, why you might want one for your Ford Ranger, and the top kits available on the market today.
What is a Long Travel Kit?
A long travel kit is a suspension upgrade designed to increase the range of motion (or travel) of your truck’s suspension system.
Stock suspension systems are generally optimized for on-road use, offering a smooth ride and basic off-road capability.
However, off-road enthusiasts often need greater flexibility to handle tough terrains, which is where long travel kits come in.
By extending the width of the suspension components and adding longer shocks, these kits allow the wheels to travel farther up and down, improving the vehicle’s ability to absorb impacts and maintain traction over uneven surfaces.
Benefits of a Long Travel Kit for Your Ford Ranger
Upgrading to a long travel kit on your Ford Ranger offers several advantages, particularly for off-road driving:
- Increased Suspension Travel The primary benefit of a long travel kit is the increased range of motion in your suspension. This allows the wheels to move up and down more freely, providing better absorption of rough terrain, bumps, and dips.
- Enhanced Off-Road Performance With more suspension travel, your Ford Ranger can handle more extreme off-road environments. Whether you’re racing through desert trails, navigating rocky paths, or driving on uneven terrain, the improved suspension control helps your truck maintain stability and traction.
- Improved Ground Clearance Many long travel kits also provide a lift to your vehicle, which increases the ground clearance. This is especially beneficial when navigating obstacles like rocks, logs, or steep inclines.
- Better Control and Stability By widening the suspension components, long travel kits improve the truck’s overall handling and stability, especially during high-speed off-road driving. You’ll experience reduced body roll and better cornering control, keeping your Ranger steady through sharp turns and uneven ground.
- More Durability Long travel kits are built with heavy-duty materials designed to withstand the harsh conditions of off-road environments. Upgrading your suspension system not only enhances performance but also extends the lifespan of your truck’s suspension components.
Top Long Travel Kits for the Ford Ranger
Here are some of the best long travel kits available for the Ford Ranger, each offering a range of features to boost your truck’s off-road performance:
1. Camburg Engineering Long Travel Kit
Camburg is known for producing top-quality off-road components, and their Ford Ranger long travel kit is no exception.
The kit provides increased suspension travel, extended control arms, and a widened track width for better handling.
The heavy-duty ball joints and stronger bushings ensure durability during intense off-road use.
- Suspension Travel: 12-14 inches
- Widening: 4-5 inches per side
- Features: Extended control arms, heavy-duty construction, bolt-on installation
2. BTF Fabrication Long Travel Kit
BTF Fabrication offers a highly customizable long travel kit for the Ford Ranger, designed for serious off-road enthusiasts.
This kit includes extended upper and lower control arms, coilovers, and custom tie rods.
With an option to choose the exact lift height and travel range, it’s great for drivers looking for a tailor-made solution.
- Suspension Travel: 12-16 inches
- Widening: 5 inches per side
- Features: Extended control arms, custom coilovers, optional upgrades
3. Dirt King Fabrication Long Travel Kit
Dirt King’s long travel kit for the Ford Ranger is built for durability and performance.
It includes boxed lower control arms, extended upper control arms, and a steering upgrade to accommodate the widened suspension geometry.
It also offers impressive suspension travel and is built to handle aggressive off-roading.
- Suspension Travel: 13-15 inches
- Widening: 3.5-4.5 inches per side
- Features: Coilover shocks, extended control arms, optional steering upgrade
4. Brenthel Industries Long Travel Kit
For a high-performance solution, Brenthel Industries offers a long travel kit that’s specifically designed for racing and high-speed desert driving.
The kit provides maximum suspension travel with robust components built to handle the toughest environments.
It’s a more expensive option but delivers top-tier performance.
- Suspension Travel: 14-18 inches
- Widening: 5 inches per side
- Features: Custom shocks, heavy-duty control arms, reinforced steering
Installation Considerations
Before installing a long travel kit, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
- Wider Track Width Long travel kits typically widen the track width of your vehicle by several inches on each side. This means you’ll need to consider the impact on your vehicle’s ability to fit in tight spaces and your choice of aftermarket fenders to accommodate the wider stance.
- Tires and Wheels With a long travel kit, you may need to upgrade to larger tires and wider wheels for proper fitment. Make sure the tires and wheels you choose are compatible with the lift and widened suspension geometry.
- Cost and Labor Long travel kits can be more expensive than traditional suspension lifts, and installation may require professional expertise. It’s crucial to ensure that all components are installed correctly to avoid alignment and performance issues.
- Legal and Safety Considerations Check your local regulations regarding vehicle modifications, as some long travel kits may not be street legal in certain areas. Additionally, you may need to upgrade other parts of your truck (such as brakes) to handle the changes in performance.
Final Thoughts
A long travel kit is one of the best upgrades for off-road enthusiasts looking to unlock the full potential of their Ford Ranger.
With improved suspension travel, greater control, and enhanced durability, a long travel kit transforms your truck into a high-performance machine capable of tackling the toughest terrains.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a dedicated off-roader, upgrading to a long travel kit will take your Ford Ranger’s capabilities to the next level.
Choose a kit that suits your needs and enjoy the freedom to explore new trails with confidence.
