Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

shock absorbers

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Old 09-07-2008
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Icon5 shock absorbers

What is the difference between twin tube and mono tube shock absorbers? Which are better?
 
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Old 09-07-2008
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The twin tubes have an outside tube that stores more fluid so the shock can run cooler and help eliminate fade. They are generally better than a mono tube shock.
 
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Old 09-07-2008
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Originally Posted by 05prerunner
The twin tubes have an outside tube that stores more fluid so the shock can run cooler and help eliminate fade. They are generally better than a mono tube shock.

There's no way a twin-tube shock can handle the pressure these monotube shocks can. Absolutly no shock fade in a monotube shock. You see that metal piston in the red shock (KYB MonoMax), thats what separates the oil and nitrogen gas. The black shock (Monroe Sensatrac) oil and gas mix thats why you can shake a twintube shock and hear the fluid in it. Also, this monroe was rolled from steel and welded together as the monotube shocks is a one-piece cylinder.

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Monotube's the way to go.
 
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Old 09-07-2008
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so I would be good with a set of kyb's? like these from summit racing?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
 
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Old 09-08-2008
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Originally Posted by edge186
so I would be good with a set of kyb's? like these from summit racing?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Yeah man do you tow, haul, or offroad occasionally?
 
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Old 09-08-2008
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Yeah I tow two quads on my trailer down to the sand dunes several times a year. Its about 150 miles one way. And offroading is occasional but not too often.
here are some old pics
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Last edited by edge186; 09-08-2008 at 08:19 PM.
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Old 09-09-2008
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I see the rear squatting a lil bit, a good monotube shock will solve that.
 
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Old 09-09-2008
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MX6, you will love it...
 
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Old 09-09-2008
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Agreed monotube is the way to go get a HD version since you have a lil squat going on there
 
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If you get the mx6. (or any high quality adjustable shock) you can adjust it for when you are towing. Then, you don't get your kidneys pounded when the truck is unloaded...
 
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Old 09-09-2008
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thats why is was thinking about a set of firestone ride-rite airbags to eliminate the squat for towing. I posted a thread about them but nobody responded. Last night I ordered a set of kyb monomax. so they are not adjustable but hopefully they will be worth the upgrade.
 

Last edited by edge186; 09-09-2008 at 09:19 PM.
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Old 09-09-2008
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and also, in that pic did anyone notice that I am using an equalizer hitch? that helps a ton or it would be dragging ***. I only use that because normally when I go anywhere, I have two, 500 to 600lb quads on it. that plus the weight of that trailer and it is a heavy s.o.b. too.
 
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Old 09-09-2008
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Originally Posted by edge186
thats why is was thinking about a set of firestone ride-rite airbags to eliminate the squat for towing. I posted a thread about them but nobody responded. Last night I ordered a set of kyb monomax. so they are not adjustable but hopefully they will be worth the upgrade.
You cant beat em for the money. You'll enjoy em.
 
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Old 09-09-2008
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well thanks for the help. They shipped today so hopefully they'll be here friday and I can have them on just as fast. :)
 
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Old 09-10-2008
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Originally Posted by edge186
well thanks for the help. They shipped today so hopefully they'll be here friday and I can have them on just as fast. :)
Just fyi, they are gonna come with a strap around them. On the rear, install the upper first, then cut the strap and guide the bottom into the shock mount on the axle.
 
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I can not believe that you had to use a equalizer hitch for that! I must have had the heavy duty suspension on my edge because I pulled my boat (5200 pounds total) a lot and never had a problem like that.

I would say air bags or add-a-leaf along with re-arching your springs would help as well...
 
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Old 09-10-2008
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
I can not believe that you had to use a equalizer hitch for that! I must have had the heavy duty suspension on my edge because I pulled my boat (5200 pounds total) a lot and never had a problem like that.

I would say air bags or add-a-leaf along with re-arching your springs would help as well...
Do Egde's come with heavy duty suspensions? I assumed they were the same as the 4x4's...
 
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coil overs are the best see....

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Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
Absolutly no shock fade in a monotube shock.
This is not true. All shocks will experience cavitation at hi heat, the only way to battle this is more oil and oil volume level/cooling area. Why do you think desert racers (hardest on shocks) will have 3.0 coilovers and triple bypass shocks? If you were right, they could just valve a "monotube" shock and be fine...

Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
I see the rear squatting a lil bit, a good monotube shock will solve that.
Shocks do not support weight. shocks dampen spring frequency.

Originally Posted by lifted_Mazda01
coil overs are the best see....


those arent true coilovers. although they may aid, the spring rate on those are surely very minimal. you would acheive about the same objective by adding another leaf into your pack...
 
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Old 09-10-2008
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I need rear shocks, but I don't have any squatting in the rear. Thanks for the tip on the shocks.

 
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Old 09-10-2008
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Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
Just fyi, they are gonna come with a strap around them. On the rear, install the upper first, then cut the strap and guide the bottom into the shock mount on the axle.
yeah, I installed a set on my old truck and thats exactly how I did it. :)
 
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Old 09-10-2008
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Originally Posted by greygooseranger
I can not believe that you had to use a equalizer hitch for that! I must have had the heavy duty suspension on my edge because I pulled my boat (5200 pounds total) a lot and never had a problem like that.

I would say air bags or add-a-leaf along with re-arching your springs would help as well...
The main reason I use the hitch is because we sold our trailer house but kept the hitch so it doesnt get used for anything else. I worry about exceeding the limit of my hitch and by using that I double the capacity of it.

I had an add-a-leaf and even with my t-bars cranked, my rear end still sat up about an inch and a half and I hated the look of it. I want air bags because I think they would maintain the stock ride height unless i pump them up (which would only be if im towing something)
 
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Old 04-24-2009
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Originally Posted by lifted_Mazda01
coil overs are the best see....



I ordered my truck with the HD option upgrade, but putting just a 300lb rear engine mower in the bed seemed to drop the back end down quite a bit - towing a trailer with a larger mower isn't quite as bad. This is the 1st Ford truck I've bought that wasn't jacked up in the rear just a little. My '95 XL 4x4 F150 had a very obvious jacked up look to it on level ground which looks more "normal" to me for a truck, unless the truck is lifted or lowered a lot.

Anyway, I'm thinking about trying some Monroe Sensatrac load-levelers pretty soon.
 
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Old 04-27-2009
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INSTALLED


Truck seems to ride better (firmer) and only raises the rear up about 1/2" or so.
 
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