Looking at getting into a Ranger - Questions for the gurus
 

Hey guys, new here and I joined to get your expert opinions.

I drive 280 miles a day, 1/2 on highway, 1/2 off road on rough gravel, washboard and clay mud. I'm driving a 06 1ton mega cab cummins and it's beating the crap out of my kidneys!

I need 4x4 and limited slip rear end for sure. Other than that I'm not too picky.

I took an 06 FX4 Level II for a test drive last night but it was SUPER rough - rougher than my 1 ton. It had a 3" body lift on it. Is that stock for a level II or did someone put that on? I'm looking for a smooth ride for the gravel/washboard, if the level II is that rough riding I don't want any part of it. I do like the idea of the lsd on the level II though, does it come with the sport as well?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Body lift was added on. These trucks do ride harsh at times. More so if you crank the torsion bars.

Are you referring specifically to the Level II when you say they ride harsh at times? The one I drove had rancho front shocks, which I assume are stock.

What about just a Sport, do they ride as rough, or is the level II rougher than the rest? Thanks again.

ALL torsion bar rangers ride rough. You want a smooth ride get a half ton

Yeah rangers ride rough and will defiantly ride rough compared to your cummins. But you get used to it after a while.

Wow, certainly didn't see that coming. I appreciate your input guys, Ranger is off the table if it can't beat a bloody 1-ton! Thanks.

Anyone else want to chime in to debate the topic or is it a well known fact!? Thanks.

My contribution is that your 1 ton Cummins probably gets better MPG's than a Ranger too Haha

this thread is full of so much fail. LOL

Shocks are the problem. I had those on my old ranger and they were STIFF. However throw some bilstein shocks on it and it'll ride smooth. Thats what I have on my 4x4 and it rides great.

yea most rangers will ride rough at times...especially if it has #1 t-bars

Wirelessly posted

If you want a good ride for a truck get a bowtie

overall you happy with them? might want to change my stockers out if it improves the ride that much...i have #1 bars FWIW

Keep your old P/U and:

Install an internally suspended seat out of a diesel truck. Bostrom still makes em but they cost. I've got a couple real old Bostroms. Wouldn't trade em for anything. Look in a diesel truck wrecking yard. You can adjust the springs (located in the backrest) for your weight and there is a shock absorber along side the springs for the big bumps.

There are torsion bar seats too. First you adjust for your weight then for how soft a ride you want. Can't beat em for smooth. Any road, any rough.

Air suspension seats aren't as good and usually are too high to fit into a P/U.

Rangers actually ride very smooth with proper shocks... Mine is just as smooth as my buddies 07' xlt f150

Those ranchos aren't the stock level2 shocks, they came with bilsteins which ride a lot nicer than the 08+ fx4 ranchos

My truck is pretty smooth with Bilsteins and #1 bars

My guess is that whoever had the LVLII and did the body kit probably cranked the T-Bars and as mentioned added stiffer shocks.

Go test drive a Ranger Sport or FX4(regular LVL-I) or even a stock LVLII to compare. I do know the LSD was available in more than the FX4 versions but you would have to have the dealer check the vin and/or rear end code to find out.

Love them they will be the only shocks I run on a ranger 4x4.

my level2 rides great.

also, if it was body lifted, it probably has 33's on it.. depending on the tire, it might make it ride ruffer.