It sounds like we had an identical experience. I even looked up the product I wanted both before and after speaking to them, on their website and Fox's. Downsouth it is! Too bad for poor customer service...

 

Yeah, it was kind of funny actually. I asked them(ORW) about valving and setup, and all he said was custom valving is available for an extra charge. As for the actual valving he said I would need to talk to Fox to figure that out then call ORW back and for a charge they could do it. When I called DSMS the guy I talked to was more than happy to help me. He told me they do a couple of these Ranger/Explorer setups a month and all shocks are custom valved for free. I'm not knocking ORW, I'm sure they have they're good points. But my experience with their customer service was sub-par as far as I'm concerned. I'm no expert on suspensions and I was just looking for some help(I even told him that) and it just seemed like I was kind of putting him out. Oh well, DSMS customer service was far better so they got my business.

 

Again, identical experience. Parts ordered, DSMS has my business as long as they carry the products I'm looking for. He knew exactly what I needed, and was able to offer advice on remote versus standard set ups. Additionally, ORW said they wouldn't be able to ship until the end of next week at the earliest. DSMS will have my stuff out this Friday. Now all I need is limit straps. I'm sure there are recommendations somewhere in the 67 pages, but honestly I'll go cross eyed trying to find them. Input, anybody?

Oh, and ORW was twice the price...

 

That's really a shame to hear that ORW isn't offering much help to us anymore. Glad to hear DSM is offering such great support though! I'll go ahead and recommend them to anyone who asks.

As for limit straps, there isn't one correct answer, because of the different mounting options.

What I recommend is to pick your mounting style, and mounting points, then measure this distance at ride height. Jack the truck at the frame until it's at the point you want to limit at, and measure again. Call DSM and give them this info, and ask them to recommend a strap length.

 

Pricing:
Kit with powdercoated brackets: $290
Kit with raw brackets: $270

Shipping:
$17 US
$46 Canada

Kit includes:
4 brackets (2 upper, 2 lower)
4 gussets to reinforce shock tower
2 shock tower spacers for upper mounts
8 rod end spacers (for 1/2" wide rod ends--like Fox)
All hardware to install--grade 8 zinc plated

Stainless steel hardware is available for an additional $30

What else you will need:
2 coilover shocks
2 coil springs
2 limit straps and brackets

What you may need:
Bump stops if you are lifting your truck at the same time, but if you already have a Superlift, or if you are remaining at stock height, you can reuse what you have. You simply need to trim back the bracket on the frame where the bump stop mounts, so that the coilover will clear it. You then redrill a hole in the remaining part of the bracket and mount the bump stop further in.

To order:
1. Send payment to sbeau1 (at) metrocast (dot) net.
.......include in your instructions that it's for Ranger coilover brackets, if you want powdercoated or not, and your R-F user name
2. Post in this thread that you've sent payment.
3. check in on the thread for updates.
4. Post pics of your install!

 

I bought mine from ORW and they told me they came valved correctly. I'm not sure I believe this as mine seem pretty soft/bouncy offroad. If I had it to do over I would definitely go with DSMS.

 

Hey guys, read through the thread, but I have some final questions. I am running a 4 inch lift spindle, and would like to do this conversion. Given that I had to change to a custom length shock, what size coil would I need? Any help to determining is appreciated.

 

Look what the UPS guy brought me... early Christmas present!

 

Looking to buy this as soon as I finish my rear disc axle swap, but I wanted to sort out one question. If I am running stock suspension, no Superlift, but want to maintain the same stance I have 2" torsion bar crank, is it better to go with the recommended setup for stock height (5" shock 10" x 600-650# spring) or lifted (6" shock, 12" x 500# spring). If I've read correctly it's been done both ways? Thanks.

 

incorrect the 6.5in travel shocks used for superlifted applications will NOT fit a stock truck it would give you almost 0 up travel do to the added length of the shock.

stick with the 5in shocks and play with spring rate valving and preload for height adjustment.

 

You do not run a custom length shock, same as if you had the stock spindle

 

To answer both questions: for a truck without a Superlift, DO NOT run the taller shocks. As said, you will lose up travel. I did it on mine, but I was using custom rod ends that aren't as long as the extended ones from Fox, but I still had reduced travel. I did it partially by mistake, and partially because I wad going to put a Superlift on very shortly after, but it still turned out to cause problems. I had to set the ride height almost to the point of the upper control arms contacting the springs in order to have a safe amount up up travel. This meant I had zero down travel.
Moral of the story: don't do it

As for the spindle lift, this changes absolutely nothing as far as shock travel, so whether you do a coilover swap or not, you do not need longer shocks than stock. The spindle moves the wheels down relative to the entire suspension. You only need a longer shock when the lower control arm is moved down relative to the frame.

Also, if you don't have torsion bars, this coilover kit will not work for you.

 

when i was adjusting everything, the stock shock was maxed out, and still had not hit full droop, should have mentioned earlier, but my shocks were a part number similar to Camburg's entry level 6.0 kit. did the measurements, and i will need a 6 inch coil, or something similar to my existing lengths.

 

I used down south motor sports and their customer service was great. I'd recommend them again.

 

If you have a torsion bar suspension, and you haven't installed a Superlift, you should not need longer shocks. If you don't have a torsion bar suspension, this kit will not work on your truck.

However, one thing that came to my mind is that, since you don't have front axles to clear, you won't need the extended rod ends. Talk to whoever you purchase your shocks through. If the collapsed bearing-to-bearing lengths of a Fox 5" travel shock with extended rod ends is close enough to the collapsed length of a 6.5" travel shock without the extended rod ends, you MIGHT be OK. However, if the 6.5" without the extended rod ends has a longer collapsed length, you DO NOT want to use them.

As I mentioned before, lift spindles have absolutely nothing to do with your shock length, because the control arms are still in the same position relative to the frame that they were before the spindles were installed.

Also, you need 10" coils for the 5" travel shocks, and 12" coils for the 6.5" travel shocks. You won't use 6" coils.

 

Thanks, I think it was your use of the 6" shock I was referring to. Is there any difference in the mounts between the stock and lifted kits? Just thinking if I want to Superlift it later, it would great if only shock/limit strap would need to be updated.

 

No difference at all. The only thing that changes when you lift it is the spring/shock combo and the limit strap.

 

What kinda lift are you runnin, if any?
And I punched in 347018 on the eibach site, nothing came up..can you give me more info on your coil-over setup?

 

The bottom number is the one you should use. 1000.250.700, that is the part number. I don't have a superlift or anything. Just a 2" torsion twist, so I ordered the Fox 5" travel coil overs for stock height. Got them from Down South Motorsports. They know their stuff, very helpful.

 

ThAt would be a 10in spring (1000) that is 2,5 in wide (250 fits a 2.0 shock) with a 700 lb spring rate

 

ME00Stepside. I've tendered payment via Paypal. I've also sent you a PM to confirm.

WGIBass - raw - PAID
AdamBlack - powdercoat - PAID
greenstipper - raw - PAID
jplambrou - powdercoat - PAID

 

Me00stepside or who ever can help. I'm running some 750 lb coils right now and with the additional leverage applied by my suspension and weight of bumper it's not enough support. It's starting to sink up front so I'm thinking some 850lb coils.

 

Weird my eibach 650lb havent sagged at all in years.

 

Could it be my shocks are in need of rebuild?

 

No, that won't cause sagging. What brand coils are you running?