Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Getting rid of the leaf springs in the rear...

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Old 02-02-2009
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Getting rid of the leaf springs in the rear...

What are some options to get rid of the rear leaf springs? Is there a coilover kit out there?

I know I can do it by the air bags, but would like to keep the cost down.

Thanks
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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only 100% custom no kits



cost saving doesn't go together
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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As stone mentioned you would have to switch to a link style suspension. Which there is not kits out there, it would be a one off design. After that is made you would have some options as far as holding the truck up though, Coils, Coilovers, Airshocks, airbags.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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NOt sure why you want to get rid of the leafs, but if you want softer find some deaver leaf springs and check out some good air shocks. Might be what your looking for.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by DaGGer
NOt sure why you want to get rid of the leafs, but if you want softer find some deaver leaf springs and check out some good air shocks. Might be what your looking for.
A good coil setup will out flex and out perform 99.9% of the leaf spring setups out there. You also can knock down aproave and departure angels as well. But if it is not a full on trail rig, then I dont see the point of spending the money, or putting in the effort.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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I agree coil overs are pretty much the best you can get but consider the money and time spent when swapping leafs and shocks out take 2 hours tops.......figure that its not going to win the scale.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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It all depends on the application. If you are going for a budget build, you can bastardize a leaf pack and get it to articulate pretty damn well. But if you ahve the cash, there is no stopping coilovers/air shocks.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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NicksterSVT and Gumby both swapped in Expo IRS on their trucks.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by chainfire
It all depends on the application. If you are going for a budget build, you can bastardize a leaf pack and get it to articulate pretty damn well. But if you ahve the cash, there is no stopping coilovers/air shocks.
Your assuming he's lifting it, he could be wanting to lower.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Your assuming he's lifting it, he could be wanting to lower.
This is true. Whenever I see a swap like this I automaticly assume it is a lift.
A 3-4 or Watts link would be pretty trick on a ranger.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
NicksterSVT and Gumby both swapped in MN12 IRS on their trucks.
 

Last edited by gumby; 02-02-2009 at 08:06 PM.
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by chainfire
A good coil setup will out flex and out perform 99.9% of the leaf spring setups out there. You also can knock down aproave and departure angels as well. But if it is not a full on trail rig, then I dont see the point of spending the money, or putting in the effort.
i wouldn't say 99.9%
a properly setu leaf spring suspension will do wonders..
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
i wouldn't say 99.9%
a properly setu leaf spring suspension will do wonders..

But a properly set up links with coil overs will out perform said leafs right?
The only reason I say this, is look at all of the Comp crawlers, there is no one running leafs. Dont get me wrong, a leaf setup can perform phenominaly, but better than a properly setup coilover?
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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no, i know..

you said coils.. you see coils on most "low buck"(not cheap, but not expensive) builds, as with leaf springs..

now your comparing a weekend warrior to a professional racer lol
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by chainfire View Post
A good coil setup will out flex and out perform 99.9% of the leaf spring setups out there. You also can knock down aproave and departure angels as well. But if it is not a full on trail rig, then I dont see the point of spending the money, or putting in the effort.
i wouldn't say 99.9%
a properly setup leaf spring suspension will do wonders..
I agree that maybe not 99% of the time but its defiantly a much better set up most of the time.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
no, i know..

you said coils.. you see coils on most "low buck"(not cheap, but not expensive) builds, as with leaf springs..

now your comparing a weekend warrior to a professional racer lol
Ahh I should have specified coil-overs.

It all depends on the application. If you are going for a budget build, you can bastardize a leaf pack and get it to articulate pretty damn well. But if you ahve the cash, there is no stopping coilovers/air shocks
I specified later on in the thread.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
NicksterSVT and Gumby both swapped in Expo IRS on their trucks.
to bad nicks is a Lincoln IRS not thunder bird or expo
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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NicksterSVT and Gumby both swapped in Expo IRS on their trucks.
fail.

lol jk
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by Downey
to bad nicks is a Lincoln IRS not thunder bird or expo
the lincoln IRS nick used is the same as the tbird IRS i used. same chassis(MN12)
 
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