Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

05 Ranger 4x4 Shock Question Again

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Old Oct 24, 2009
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nross's Avatar
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05 Ranger 4x4 Shock Question Again

So I am thinking of going with the bilstien shocks on my truck. I am just curious how will the ride differ from the stock shocks?

Correct me if I am wrong...

The ride will be stiffer with the new shocks, so the ride will be rougher?

The ride will be stiffer with the new shocks, so I will feel more bumps in the road?

Also, will these shocks allow for any more payload capacity in the truck?

My original set of tires in the front have worn funny, as in the insides are more more worn then the outsides. The tires have always been balanced and rotated somewhat often... could be more often. Could this have occured from shocks that have become worn (sagged) over time? Or should I really be looking at different causes?

Will these shocks add a higher stance to the truck then is currently has?

...Any other comments would be appriciated...

The truck with the original shocks and wrangler RT/s tires had always given the feeling on the highway when hitting bumps on lets say overpass briges that the rear end will kind of kick out or something...

Will these shocks with my new BFG MT KM's in load D range make this worse or better?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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have you had an alignment done lately? that could explain the wear on the front tires
as for the shocks they will give you a more solid ride, and will feel a little more of the road but will be better dampening on the bigger stuff. But should be a better ride than something else like ranchos, I have the rancho rsx's and w my c (stiffer) springs and being so light weight it rides like a brick on rough pavement with nothing in the back.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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From: locust grove georgia
your tire wear is due to too much air pressure.
and about the shocks, i have pro comps (cheap shocks) and they are WAY better than my stock shocks. i dont know how to explain it but the newer better shock will have a much smother ride. i have never heard a complaint about bilsteins.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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That is why I am considering the bilsteins, I figure since everyone on here seems to do crazy stuff with their trucks, if i'm not climbing around on rocks or jumping the truck, it should be the last set of shocks I install in the truck for a very long time.

My tires are inflated to 30psi usually, and they fall down frequently 3-4psi a week. Thats why I have purchased the new set of tires i'm putting on the truck. I don't want to put the new tires on until everything on the truck is fixed, otherwise it's just pissing money down the drain. I've still got a list of stuff to do to the truck.... alot of seals. grrr. I'm about to start tackling those in about a half hour, oh how gear lube stinks.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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Your front tires are cambered. . . .which means that they are leaning in. Mine was doing the same. . . took it in for an alignment and found my ball joints were destroyed, and had to get them replaced. . . and i had to get a camber kit installed as well. Now mine are good.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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I am going to have to check into all of that as well, The one that weirds me out is that to every shop the truck has gone to they have advoided any way possible it seems to do an alignment, they always claim just... tire balance & rotate. The truck has never been aligned, even though I've stressed it, I just need to force them to do it. grr.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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Originally Posted by nross
So I am thinking of going with the bilstien shocks on my truck. I am just curious how will the ride differ from the stock shocks?

Correct me if I am wrong...

The ride will be stiffer with the new shocks, so the ride will be rougher?

The ride will be stiffer with the new shocks, so I will feel more bumps in the road?

Also, will these shocks allow for any more payload capacity in the truck?
The ride will be a little stiffer than the stock shocks, but the dampening rate is better so overall it will seem smoother. Only stiffer leaf springs would increase the payload capacity. The difference seen in the payload capacity with new shocks is negligible.

Originally Posted by nross
My original set of tires in the front have worn funny, as in the insides are more more worn then the outsides. The tires have always been balanced and rotated somewhat often... could be more often. Could this have occured from shocks that have become worn (sagged) over time? Or should I really be looking at different causes?
Sounds to me like you need an alignment.

Originally Posted by nross
Will these shocks add a higher stance to the truck then is currently has?
Some have said they noticed an increase in overall height. Again the difference would be negligible if it makes any difference at all.

Originally Posted by nross
...Any other comments would be appriciated...

The truck with the original shocks and wrangler RT/s tires had always given the feeling on the highway when hitting bumps on lets say overpass briges that the rear end will kind of kick out or something...

Will these shocks with my new BFG MT KM's in load D range make this worse or better?
The rearend on Ranger's are very light weight so try putting a few bags of sand in the bed of your truck. I'm sure you will notice a night and day difference.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2009
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brianjwilson's Avatar
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You need an alignment, and possibly have worn out front balljoints or something.

The shocks are firmer than stock, but the ride is not rougher as they dampen much better. Which means you will only feel the bump ones, and not feel it shake through the chassis several times. Also the suspension will not deflect as much with better shocks, and they will help keep the tires planted on the ground better.
 
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