I bought a semi-beater 2000 Ext Cab 2wd XLT 3.0 with 150K miles. My plan is to fix it up, and use it as a utility truck and a commuter. The shocks are shot so I ordered some replacements. The shocks I ordered were:

KYB 344396 GR-2 / Excel-G Rear; RWD; Except High Ryder Option

KYB 344397 GR-2 / Excel-G Front; RWD; Except High Ryder Option

This is what KYB calls for on their web site for this truck.

They're too short. The fronts are about 1" shorter than the existing (likely original) shocks. This suggests that this truck has the High Ryder option. But in this thread it's mentioned that this option was only available on 89 and earlier 4x4's. So I did some measurements on the existing front shock, and checked the dimensions against other available options listed for this truck. I thought that maybe it had a 4x4 suspension. Nope... not even close. The 4x4 shocks are much longer, and nothing else I can find has matching dimensions either. OK. So what do I have, and where do I find decently priced shocks for a utility truck?

 

Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

It doesn't look like it's been lifted. It's been a utility truck. It also has 10" rear drum brakes, which I think indicates that it has the towing package. I don't know if that affects the suspension and/or shocks or not.

 

The "High Rider" option is actually called the "Trailhead" by Ford, and it was only offered as a regular cab, not an extended cab. Basically it was the precursor to the "Edge" package and featured the same torsion bar suspension as the 4x4 Ranger. Since you have an extended cab, your truck should be the normal 2wd version with coil springs up front. I would take your original shocks to your local parts store and compare them to some off the shelf units.

 

I found references to the Trailhead models, but that's not what I have because, as you mentioned, I don't have the torsion bar suspension.

I guess that's what I'll have to do.

Thanks.

 

The Trailhead is different than the High Rider. I am pretty sure the High Rider option (Sport Rider in 89) was only available on 4WD vehicles. It was about 1.5" higher than the standard 4WD Ranger. Yes, the Trailhead and Edge had the 4WD suspension even in the 2WD version but they were not High Riders.

Gearhead is right. The High Rider was not available after 89.

Let us know if your Ranger has coil springs or torsion bar suspension, then we may be able to help you with selection of the proper shocks.

 

It has coil springs. And the stock front shock called for by KYB (344397) is at least 1" shorter than the shocks that are on there.

 

What kind of shock is on the truck currently.

Rancho has an 0-1" lift option that I believe makes the shock a bit longer.

You might be trying to find something you dont need and will be alright with stock shocks.

 

I'm not sure what's on there. I'd guess that they're the originals. I can't use the stock shock, at least not what KYB calls stock. I tried the stock KYB. It was at least an inch shorter than what was on there, and the top shaft wouldn't go through the upper mount far enough to get the nut started. If I HAD been able to get the nut on there, the shock would have been at full extension with the suspension at rest.

I check into Rancho's. Thanks.