Hello, i need some serious help! i’m looking to turn my 2003 ford ranger xlt 2wd coil spring truck into a prerunner. i know that on the rear of the truck i will be building a bedcage and was looking to use a 14” shock. only reason i came up with that number is becuase on the front i will be using a BTF Fab long travel kit that has 14” of wheel travel. i know that if i angle the rear shock i can achieve more travel out of the rear end. it will NOT be linked as i want to keep it as simple as possible. i will have Deaver f31’s with extended shackles and drop mounts. explorer 8.8 rear end. BTF says in order to run the long travel kit you will need an 8” coil over up front. i’m looking at either kings or fox for both front and rear but i have no idea what spring rates to go with …also i’ve been told that smoothies in the rear with remote reservoir will be ample? this will still be my daily driver (other than my motorcycle in the summertime) so i would like for it to be somewhat comfortable. i would love to just rip off-road and hit some rough trails that are near my house at higher speeds and possibly jump the truck. nothing huge but just some fun stuff. i’m new to this so everything is very confusing haha, any help would be appreciated thanks so much!

 

i have the mid travel set up, strapped @ 11.5'' less hassle than the long travel set up

 

Start with the springs
The point of good Off-Road suspension is to keep the wheels ON THE GROUND, can't steer, brake or accelerate if wheels are off the ground, right?

So you want softer springs, so wheels can move up AND down for the terrain so body remains fairly level
Shocks are there to slow upward and downward wheel movement as it reaches end of travel which dampens "rebound effect" all springs have