Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Those with Leaf sprung SAS front ends

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Old 06-08-2009
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Those with Leaf sprung SAS front ends

Post up your pics! I wanna check out my options for front hangars and rear front static hangars for the front leafs.......

I think I'll be doing Leafs on my truck when the SAS happens after graduation!
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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booo
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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sweeet! leaf springs ftw!
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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leaf springs.. what?

 
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Old 06-08-2009
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AIR DOWN!! haha holy crap you are STUCK!!!!! did the winch get ya out?
 
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dont do it like matts though. put the shackles in the back. although for them being in the front, his works surprisingly well. way better than i thought they would
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Originally Posted by shadow905
sweeet! leaf springs ftw!
quit smoking whatever you are smoking!
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Originally Posted by zabeard
quit smoking whatever you are smoking!

haha. shhhh.

ive always said im going to do leaf springs. but after running these coilovers, its up in the air now.
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Originally Posted by shadow905
haha. shhhh.

ive always said im going to do leaf springs. but after running these coilovers, its up in the air now.
3 link it and be done!
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Originally Posted by shadow905
dont do it like matts though. put the shackles in the back. although for them being in the front, his works surprisingly well. way better than i thought they would
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Originally Posted by zabeard
3 link it and be done!

actually, its between leaf springs, 3link and coilovers, and 4 link with air shocks... 4 link with air shocks is a bit out of my league but depending on when i do this deal I may know a bit more about them. we will see. it all depends on what i stumble on for a good deal and how fast my money tree grows. right now its lookin kinda brown.
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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air shocks are gonna be a ton cheaper than coil overs.
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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yea but coilovers are so awesome. maybe a 4 link with coilovers. hmmm
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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3 link or 4 link not that much different. the front doesnt have room for a 4 link unless you are going sky high. just 3 link it.

also air shocks 500$
coilovers 1200$

I think I may run air shocks in the rear and ive already got coilovers in the front.

I want to run some 18" air shocks in the rear, they dont have any good spring options for 18" coilovers.
 
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I like that if i dont like the way an air shock is tuned, i can take alittle oil/pressure out, or put in and be done.. not have to buy new springs.

that and like you said, half the price. haha I'll have to get a nitrogen tank but thats a one time purchase.
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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I know when it comes down to it, my wallet is only going to allow me a leaf sprung front end... Unless someone can prove to me some numbers that even a coil sprung front end is just a bit more....

Where's all the good pics?! lol
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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problem is really most 2" air shocks can only support 1000lbs per corner. the ranger is roughly 1250 or 1300 per corner in the front.

rear is around 750 on mine.
 
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Originally Posted by TrePaul86
I know when it comes down to it, my wallet is only going to allow me a leaf sprung front end... Unless someone can prove to me some numbers that even a coil sprung front end is just a bit more....

Where's all the good pics?! lol

mine hasnt happened yet so thats why i dont have any pics. lol

have you thought about what springs youre going to run?
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Either some custom atlas springs or some allpro 6in springs (LT)... Not quite sure.
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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psssh go coils..get the set up that I got its easy to install and rides great
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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if youre gonna go custom, call up alcan. pretty penny but well worth it. i am gonna be runnin some chevy springs that i got off my buddies k5. a little bit longer than everyone else has swapped under theirs but i want to have hella droop
 
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Originally Posted by TrePaul86
I know when it comes down to it, my wallet is only going to allow me a leaf sprung front end... Unless someone can prove to me some numbers that even a coil sprung front end is just a bit more....

Where's all the good pics?! lol
depends on what you want. i bet you could get close to 500 in suspension (links) if you shop wisely.

150 in brackets (again picking the right ones)

1200 in shocks (shop wisely)


But think about it the other way too...

leaf springs ? 250? idk
brackets 150? 200? idk
shackles ? idk
shocks? good ones are going to be around 200-250


No matter what you still need the following

1ton steering or heims 350
yota box
steering shaft
brake lines
steering line
pitman arm
driveshaft
shock hoop(s)
etc
 
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Old 06-08-2009
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Ok lets see some pics then Evan!

Mounting to the frame, mounts on the axle... I'm gonna start myself a folder of SAS Project pics so I know my options and their end results!
 
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I pretty much know what it takes to do the swap, I just wanna basically know what my options are for the front suspension and what everyone has.... Ya know?
 
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axle and steering are all gonna be the same. with leaf springs, you can make your own shackle hangars and spring mount. perches, i would buy some. kinda hard to make those exactly how you want them. a good set of shocks, lets say bilstien 5150s go for about $75-$100 a pop. leaf springs can be had for about 20 bucks each at a local JY. or if you go custom then youre lookin at about 350-700 bucks. then again, steering, brakes, etc. but all that is gonna be the same anyway.

im not gonna go the normal route of using a yota box. ill use a 2wd chevy steerin box with an xj steering shaft. doesnt have that crappy rag joint it has a ujoint. it fits on our steering shaft and bolts up to the chevy box. then ill just use a heim or something to keep it in place. then use chevy TREs and make my own drag link and tie rod. probably sleeved dom. and then pretty much done. other than little quirks here and there. leaf springs are by far the simplest but im willin to bet youll get a better ride with coils
 


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