I wrote up a whole paragraph about myself and it didn’t save lol. My name is Chase, my truck is the same age as me. I want to modify my truck for more off-road purposes. Currently it rides like Fred Flintstones car so since my suspension is going out, I’d like to take this opportunity to do a cost effective lift job on it. I need more knowledge than I currently possess and I’m looking forward to learning from you guys!

 

Welcome to the forum

Nice Ranger, not RED, but still a nice Ranger
That engine bay is IMMACULATE
And 4WABS

Looks to be a 4x4
1998 was first year of torsion bar suspension for Ranger 4x4s, that will come up in your Lift searches
Also Dana 35 SLA front axle, uses CV joints instead of u-joints on the axles
1998-2000 came with PVH(pulse vacuum hubs) automatic locking hubs, they worked, but barely, Ford dropped them in 2001, even earlier on the 4.0l 4x4 Rangers, because they would stop working
You can get manual hub conversion for those years

Also first year for propeller joint for front axle connection to transfer case, would make a ticking noise when front drive shaft was turning, when it was wearing out

1998, and up, also runs 55-65psi fuel pressure, earlier was 30-40psi

1998 was first year of 3rd Generation Rangers, because of above changes, 1998-2011 are 3rd generation


Body lifts are the simplest, but no changes in ground clearance, outside of added clearance of larger tires
And 2, maybe 3, inches at most or you start running into wire length issues, between body and frame

Front suspension lifts give you more ground clearance up front but rear is still solid axle so you just get the larger tire clearance, same as body lift