Recently I have noticed that my Ranger is sitting uneven in the back. The left side is a good 2-3 inches higher than the right and it looks kind of funny when its sitting parked on level ground. It is an '03 FX4 II and I am wondering if this means its time to replace my shocks, or some other suspension component. It is also extremely bouncy when going over small speed bumps and pulling into my slanted driveway. I bought the truck with 80,000 miles on it (and now it has 87k) so I don't know if this is a normal element of the Ranger's ride or not. And if I do need to buy new shocks, will shocks be all I need to purchase? Thanks for any constructive feedback!

 

Shocks do not control ride height. My guess is a broken shackle or mount. Maybe broken leaf spring. Shocks will damper bumps that's all they r for

 

Are any of these possibilities items that would prove beneficial to have replaced sooner than later? Just doing highway driving for the next couple of months, no off-roading.

 

If they r broken obviously yes. New shocks will help truck ride better but otherwise no

 

Time to get a smaller girlfriend.

 

^^Haha

 

What left are you talking about? Looking at the front or the back?

I know Ranger's tend to lean towards the driver side just because of how the gas tank is mounted.

 

Shocks do not control ride height, but when worn I noticed truck doesn't look as perky. If they are original @ 80k I think they are beat.

 

I've still got the same issue with my truck... can't figure it out!

 

On the side that is lower, you may want to check the middle leaf spring, right at the axle - that's where it's likely to break (if it is indeed broken).

Check carefully; you may not notice if the u-bolt is blocking your view.

Had both sides on mine crack at that very spot at about the same time, so no "one lower side" noticeble as on your truck.

Hope this helps.

 

Check for broken leafs, shackles, cracked lift blocks or bent u-bolts. If any of it is broken, replace it. Once the problem is dealt with, order some, new shocks, yours sounds utterly shot, but they are not the source of the problem.

Most (if not all) rangers have some sort of lean to them. Its because the driver, battery and fuel tank is all on the same side. It is especially worse on the Supercabs or long beds with the 20 gallon tank. The drivers sides springs wear out and this leads to the "ranger lean". Ford should have specified a slightly stiffer PPI for the drivers side springs.

 

Hmmm... I've got none of the issues mentioned above and my passenger side is still an inch lower than the driver's!