Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

soft or stiff suspension

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Old 08-21-2006
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soft or stiff suspension

What is berrer soft or stiff suspension for off roading??
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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Depends on how or where you off-road.
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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Stiff. Period.
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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It seems like when you watch the off road racing, their suspension looks smooth so that is why I was wondering. The stiff suspension sux for everyday driving I think.
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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They look so "smooth" because the reservoir and bypass shocks they use are valved and tuned to react differently in different conditions. Take that same trophy truck, say, on the street and hit a speedbump at 10 mph, it'll feel kinda rough... take that same speedbump at 50+... you'll hardly know it's there...
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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Rock crawling=soft with TONS of travel
mudding=more "stiff" with minimal travel
desert running="stiff" with lots of travel

at least thats what the UTI instructors are teaching my friend
 
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Originally Posted by jrpro130
Rock crawling=soft with TONS of travel
mudding=more "stiff" with minimal travel
desert running="stiff" with lots of travel

at least thats what the UTI instructors are teaching my friend
actually, prerunners probably pull more travel than rockcrawlers just because of they limit of a solid axle suspension. spring rates are very user specific. although theres general guidelines, everyone needs to test to find their best combo.

but let me ask you this. are you going to change springs? no? i didnt think so, so your shocks will determine the ride stiffness. ever drive without shocks? i have, traction is lost VERY easily. so i say stiffer is your friend, and luckily i doubt youll find a shock too stiff for your application, so stiff it up. youll have better control...
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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stiffer is better
 
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Old 08-21-2006
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I think I will use mine mostly for desert running, so stiff I should make it. Thanks guys for all the fast feedback. I have the add-a-leaf under the back of my truck with fabtech performance shocks in the back. When I am just driving on the streets it is very "rough". I think if I get some nice shocks in the front and the back (better than the Fabtech performance), it should be a nice ride.. right?
 
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Old 08-23-2006
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When off-roading or prerunning or whatever, take off you're sway bar, the front will ride 200% smoother, but alot more dangerous on turning via insane body roll, especially on road.

About the shocks, it all depends on which ones you get. Cheap Ranchos compared to RaceRunner LT with external reservoir's are going to be a big difference.
 
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Old 08-23-2006
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I have an EDGE so i don't think i have a sway bar
 
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Old 08-23-2006
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A rear sway bar no, but a front sway bar yes.
 
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Old 08-23-2006
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THen where the heck is in in the front, I guess I don't know what I am looking for.
 
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Old 08-24-2006
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The bar that goes across the frame, and then has vertical bars about a foot long that go down and connect to the lower a-arm on both sides of the truck.
 
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Old 08-24-2006
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i have an ew quote thanks gator.
 
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Old 08-24-2006
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Originally Posted by texasbullseye89
i have an ew quote thanks gator.
ha ha no problem
 
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Old 08-24-2006
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Originally Posted by r0ng5
Stiff. Period.
I agree with you, you buy a truck and I expect it to ride like a truck. People complain that trucks ride to rough, then buy a fawking car lol.

Desert racing for sure you want the long travel smooth suspension to get th emost power to the ground.
 
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