i work at o'reilly auto parts... and today i decided that im finally really spend money on new shocks. i dont want basic shocks, and id like to get some off road shocks like Rancho, Trailmaster, etc. but searching through our computers at work, they dont show a rancho or trailmaster shock for a 2wd. does the shock that fits the 4wd be forced into the 2wd. and if not... are there any OFF ROAD shocks that fit 2wd? also.. does anyone know where i can find a 2" body lift for my truck.

 

The only bodylift is a 3" one. You'd have to mod the lift to make it into a 2", which has been done.

 

I'm using Rancho RSX for the 4WD because I have an Edge with the 4x4 suspension, even though it's 2WD. Don't know what they have for you.

The Ranchos were a bit stiff for the rear until I put on bigger tires, axle, tooks and a full size spare. Now they're perfect. The fronts have always been good.

 

do you have a torsion bar suspension?

 

Yeah, he has an edge which has torsion bars.

 

so... im thinking, after researching for the day and talking to several "car" people, that the shocks for a 2wd.. and the shocks for a 4wd are gonna be basically the exact same thing. i would think that the only difference would be in the stiffness of the shock, which doesnt bother me at all considering the fact that i want a stiffer shock. but after looking some more at online catalogs, the only off road shocks for ford rangers that i am seeing is marked specifically for 4x4. is there a significant difference in the structure of the 4x4 shock compared to the 2wd shock?

 

Call skyjacker or Rancho and talk to someone. They could proabably help you out more than any computers or "car people"

 

The shocks for a 4x4 Ranger, which are listed as the same part for a RWD Edge, has to fit and clear the CV Axle shafts. Well, RWD Edges don't have front drive shafts. But the "short body" shocks (as i think they are called) are also the shocks for the RWD Edges. Basically I think we lose some shock b/c of this so if you want a shock better suited, you may want to take some time and look through the rancho catalogue and get the correct upper and lower mounts with a shock that has similar compress and ext lengths and then check with rancho to make sure that it isnt another "short body" shock.

 

okay.. well i just called rancho a few minutes ago... and they told that the RS 5000's differ heavily in the front on 2 and 4wd. mostly because of the coil suspension. so after hearing this... i called my local 4 Wheel Parts and talked to them about off road shocks specifically designed for my truck. they have Pro Comp ES 3000's designed for my truck at $33.99 which is basically the same price i would have to pay at work for rancho. i figure that ill go get them on friday, but i wanted to ask if anyone knows anything about these shocks both good and bad. thx for all the help

 

id personall go with the 9000series from rancho with the in cab air adjustment...just me but id spend the extra coin