Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Dropping rear question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-10-2006
slvr02's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dropping rear question

Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the hangar and bolt the leaf spring directly to the hangar mount to lower a 02 Ranger 2wd. I measured the width at both places and they are the same 2 1/2 inches. The stuff I am talking about is shown in the picture.

 
  #2  
Old 06-10-2006
ScottG's Avatar
Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No!!!
 
  #3  
Old 06-10-2006
slvr02's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok, my question is why wouldn't it work I don't know enough about truck suspension I am still learning. If you all say no then I'm definitly not going to do it because I can't afford to fix stuff if it breaks.
 
  #4  
Old 06-10-2006
ScottG's Avatar
Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well, that piece between the leaf and frame is called a shackle, and its held to the frame with a hanger

now, when the truck is weighed down or goes over a bump, that shackle moves back and forth allowing the rear to flex. If you didnt have that shackle, a simple bump would rip the leaf out of the hanger and BOOM, truck damage
 
  #5  
Old 06-10-2006
slvr02's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That makes sense, I didn't know that the shackle moved. I can see how that would be bad. Thanks for the help.
 
  #6  
Old 06-10-2006
Mark98xlt's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Parma Ohio
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Just flip the rear hangers 10 bucks in hardware and gives you a 2 inch drop.
 
  #7  
Old 06-10-2006
slvr02's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I didn't understand how to flip the rear hangars until I read the how-to in the rangerpowersports.com forum. I am going to do this when I can get some time to go to the auto hobby shop on base to use their air tools. I don't have a compressor and I sure as hell don't wanna try that without air.
 
  #8  
Old 06-10-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
its gonna look like this when your done...

Name:  DSC02672.jpg
Views: 177
Size:  114.1 KB
 
  #9  
Old 06-10-2006
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
We did the hanger flip a few weekends ago on DKM's truck, it was one of the easiest things to do. The kit that he got included pinion angle wedges too, to correct the angle of the driveline after the drop (I think they were 1-2* wedges?).

Hanger flipped:


After:
Name:  STA71574.jpg
Views: 140
Size:  92.3 KB
 
  #10  
Old 06-10-2006
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Nowhere
Posts: 3,481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lol
try it and show us how it works
lol

ya just try flipping it
 
  #11  
Old 06-10-2006
Mark98xlt's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Parma Ohio
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
What kit is that the roush kit? I dont know why people spend all that money on that kit instead of just flipping their factory hangers and only spending like 10 bucks in hardware. Also shouldnt need a shims for the driveshaft as its such a minor drop that it prob wont notice a difference.
 
  #12  
Old 06-10-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
lowering spring and flipping hangers thats all you need. correct my drive shaft angle is still in factory specs
 
  #13  
Old 06-10-2006
Mark98xlt's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Parma Ohio
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
With my 5 inch drop in the rear my angle is in factory specs but every truck is different some get vibrations some dont.
 
  #14  
Old 06-10-2006
slvr02's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will try this when I get a weekend to go use the base auto shop tools. Doesn't seem too hard, if I can put bags on a civic I think I can do this. Will post before and after shots as soon as I do this. Thanks for all the help.
 
  #15  
Old 06-14-2006
bdee_02edge's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: long beach, ca
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What type of hardware do you need (re: the $10 in hardware comment)?

Also, would this look lame on an EDGE? I cranked my t-bars about 2 inches and it is pretty much level, but I think it may have sagged over time, but I think having the rear a little lower might look kind of cool.

Any thoughts?
 
  #16  
Old 06-14-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
opps...double..
 
  #17  
Old 06-14-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by bdee_02edge
What type of hardware do you need (re: the $10 in hardware comment)?

Also, would this look lame on an EDGE? I cranked my t-bars about 2 inches and it is pretty much level, but I think it may have sagged over time, but I think having the rear a little lower might look kind of cool.

Any thoughts?
8 Grade 10 bolts and nuts
 
  #18  
Old 06-14-2006
smorrison1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yes, and my 6" drop is in factory specs lol, for an edge, i would loosen and lower the tbars as much as possible, then flip the hangers in the rear, or just do the flip kit and use shackles to lift it up to 3"...

my truck is a 2/6

side view:


Artsy view:
 
  #19  
Old 06-14-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
holy buy dream beams now batman!!
 
  #20  
Old 06-14-2006
smorrison1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lol, those tires are smaller than stock, thats the only reason why it looks funny...

if you want to fork over the money for dream beams then i would gladly get them! lol, other wise leave me and my truck be, i know what i am doing and what i can afford, i get all my bag parts in the end of july
 
  #21  
Old 06-15-2006
bdee_02edge's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: long beach, ca
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I dont want to lower the front at all. I was just thinking of having the back a tad lower. I have 31x10.5 BFG's on...I guess kinda going for the "pre-runner" look. Thats why I want to get opinions if it is lame to do that or not. I'm not all to hip as to whats hot or not in the truck seen, but I think it might look good...

If anyone who has seen my truck is reading this, let me know what you think.
 
  #22  
Old 06-15-2006
Mark98xlt's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Parma Ohio
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by bdee_02edge
I dont want to lower the front at all. I was just thinking of having the back a tad lower. I have 31x10.5 BFG's on...I guess kinda going for the "pre-runner" look. Thats why I want to get opinions if it is lame to do that or not. I'm not all to hip as to whats hot or not in the truck seen, but I think it might look good...

If anyone who has seen my truck is reading this, let me know what you think.
Dude you dont even have to flip your hangers, with your truck being an edge its 2 more inches taller in the rear than 4x2's with 2 inch lift blocks. Just take out the blocks and buy smaller u bolts or the same ones as the xlt 4x2's and it will lower the rear 2 inches.
 
  #23  
Old 06-15-2006
bdee_02edge's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: long beach, ca
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I didn't think about that option, thanks. Now I'm kind of wondering if 2 inches will be too much....hmm, decisions. I may see if I can get some more out of my t-bars first. Thanks for your input!
 
  #24  
Old 06-15-2006
GrafixGuy's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Montgomery, AL
Posts: 8,703
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I gotta flip mine soon...anyone wanna help???
 
  #25  
Old 06-18-2006
nvrenufedge's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dude you dont even have to flip your hangers, with your truck being an edge its 2 more inches taller in the rear than 4x2's with 2 inch lift blocks. Just take out the blocks and buy smaller u bolts or the same ones as the xlt 4x2's and it will lower the rear 2 inches.

So if I'm reading you right, all i have to do is remove the blocks between the axle & springs & put smaller u-bolts back on. All i want to do is level the back & throw some 18's on. Sorry if i sound naive, not a tech guy(unless it's stereo's)
 


Quick Reply: Dropping rear question



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:46 PM.