Hi, Im looking to beef up my suspension on my 2011 Ranger sport. I would like to increase the towing capacity. Its already set up to handle 5,800lbs but when i pull my horse trailer fully loaded trailer 3,100lbs + 2 horses 2,400lbs = 5,500lbs only 300 lbs to play with and between my horse tack, hay and anything else its almost maxed out. Have any suggestions for me.

 

Hi, Im looking to beef up my suspension on my 2011 Ranger sport. I would like to increase the towing capacity. Its already set up to handle 5,800lbs but when i pull my horse trailer fully loaded trailer 3,100lbs + 2 horses 2,400lbs = 5,500lbs only 300 lbs to play with and between my horse tack, hay and anything else its almost maxed out. Have any suggestions for me.

 

Install an AAL in the rear leaf pack and that will help keep the truck from sagging. But as far as increasing the towing capacity, you won't be able to do much with that. The towing capacity takes into consideration things like engine size, transmission type, axle type, etc. The Ranger drivetrain wasn't designed to carry large loads. No way you can really get around that.

 

What transmission do you have? the Sport comes standard with the 4.0 the manual transmission.

Here is a link to the sales brochure for the 2011 Ford Ranger that shows the specifications.

From what I can see the manual transmission is not capable of towing as much as the Automatic.

http://www.ford.com/services/assets/...stalCode=72201

 

Ok so if i install the aal it would keep my poor truck from sagging.....even if i cant increase towing capacity i definitely want to at least fix the sagging part my poor leaf springs end up almost straight my husbands like oh they will be fine but im starting to notice that the bed isnt sitting up high like it use to

 

Model: 2011 Ford Ranger Sport Automatic 4-Door Super Cab
MPG: 15 city / 20 highway
Horsepower: 207 hp @ 5,250 rpm
Towing capacity: 5,800 lbs
Engine: 4.0 L V6
Curb weight: 3,210 lbs
Dimensions: 204″ L x 69-71″ W x 66-68″ H
Fuel tank capacity: 19.5 gal

 

Im more looking to beef the rear end up so it wont sag so much

 

The AAL will definitely help with the sagging when unloaded. Can't really speak for what it will do when you're loaded up though.

 

You can have many options from cheap air shocks to more expensive air bag systems, in the past I have always went the cheap and lazy way and just bought a set of Monroe air shocks.for the rear.

Helwig Helper springs are another option

For your purposes I suggest the Helper spring, no messing around with air pressure or compressors plus if you find you need more than the springs can help with you can always add air shocks or bags as well.






https://www.suspensionconnection.com...iABEgKJk_D_BwE

Hellwig EZ-990 983 2000lbs Helper Springs 90-11 Ford Ranger

 

Welcome to the forum, RangerBabe! To be honest, pulling all that weight, I would have gone with an F150 at least. That being said, you have the Ranger and that is what you have to work with. Outlaw's suggestions are probably your best way to go if you plan to keep the Ranger for this job.

You didn't mention how many miles the truck has on it, but you will want to keep an eye on the trans fluid to ensure it isn't getting toasted from pulling a heavy load like that. Best of luck! :)

 

Yeah, installing the AAL (Add A Leaf) will help. Or you can go to air bags. In addition to those, I would look into a weight distribution hitch if you don't already have one. That type of hitch can make a nice difference in tow feel.

 

I merged both of your threads to keep the answers in one thread for future reference.

 

Ahh, that explains why there were suddenly posts that I thought I had missed! Thanks, 'Zilla!

 

Thanks zilla i have no clue how i double posted i think my phone glitched lol......thank you everyone for your help at the time i bought my Ranger it was to good of a deal to pass up 2011 with 79,000 miles no rust no dents everything sound for $1,500 i bought the truck from a older gentleman that was moving to a assisted living place so yeah plus i had been looking at alot of f150 but for what they was asking $$ the trucks where n bad shape.........How do i use the weight distribution hitch Solodad ive been thinking about that but not completely sure how to use one

 

OMG!!! $1500.00???

 

Yep $1,500 so u can see y i got it

 

Now as for the horse trailer i would have choose something smaller or lighter but im not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth lol it was a gift from from my family so i could take my horses to trail rides and do competitions with them..

 

Now i am curious my dad has a 88' gmc 1500 but its suspensions is from a 3500 he bought it that way.....is there any way i could say take the suspension out of say a f250 and put it on a ranger or would that not work

 

Unfortunately, that won't work. The 1500 and 3500 have the same wheelbase and width. The F250 is much wider than the Ranger.

BTW, after you confirmed you only paid $1500 for your truck, I had to go to the other room and sob uncontrollably for a while... :)

 

Dang i was hoping that would work i was just looking at some heavy duty struts and 4/1 leaf springs......and Im sorry mhoward

 

One option you do have is to add extra leafs in the rear by doing what they call a "bastard pack". I'm running one in my truck. Basically you just add extra leaves from another set of Ranger or Explorer leaf packs and combine them together. The downside to this is that it will ride much rougher. And it will add extra height to the truck in the rear, kind of like a lift kit. Also, it still doesn't help the fact that the truck overall isn't designed to tow that much weight.

My first Ranger was a 2000 with a 2.5 and an automatic. I bought it from the original owner who towed horse trailers with it. Needless to say, the rear springs were garbage, the engine was rebuilt once, and the transmission was starting to end it's life when I bought it off of her. It just couldn't handle the weight.

 

Ok well im thinking if anything i might buy a E250 cargo van theres one close to me the guy wants $500 for it....it has 198,000 miles its a 4.9l straight line 6 engine it runs like a champ i went and test drove it today i might get it and turn it into a camper van conversion to pull the horse trailer

 

Sounds like a plan. The 300 I6 is a true workhorse.

 

Thanks fordzilla. I went today a bought it so wish me luck lol

 

Awesome! Congrats on the new purchase! Good luck!