Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Load support for towing?

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Old 11-01-2007
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Load support for towing?

I'm looking for something to help raise the rear end up when I have a trailer or a large load on the rear end of my ranger. Airlift has the right idea, but I ordered in one of their kits to my shop and ended up shipping it back because I ended up not liking how they did a few things.

Wondering if anybody has a good solution for this?

99 Ranger 4x4. Looking to tow my Baja Bug around with it.
 
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Old 11-01-2007
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air shocks.... run the lines into a T fitting so they are equal pressure, then run off the T into a shrader vavle.... cheapest and easiest way to do it...
 
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Old 11-01-2007
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Or add a leafs, thats what I did...
 
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Old 11-01-2007
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The problem with add a leafs is when it is not loaded the truck is very stiff in the rear and also sits higher than normal. With air springs you can let down the air pressure to soften the rear again. I have the old style Airlift style air spring kit and they work for me.

I had to modify the mounts to get them to work when I transfered them from my 89 Ranger to my 02 Ranger. They work well but I have to pay attention to tire clearance with larger tires.

The newer style Airlift kit looks like it has more clearance for the tires but I don't like they way they mount on the springs.

I had add a leafs and air springs on my 89 Ranger. It needed the add a leafs for the shell I had on it and the air springs were for towing and extra loads.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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I'd say air shocks. That way you can fine tune the ride/height based on your loads and liking.

btw, I had a set of air lifts on a crown vic once. Used them for towing a boat. Well... the first time I had the boat hooked up the dual exhaust got hot and blew one of them out in only 15 miles. There was plenty of room and I even had thier cheap heat shields installed too.

Good idea.. but roll molded plastic bags is not too bright. They should use a OEM type of material and design. Even if it costs more.

Rich
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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upgrade to Chevy leafs.....

nothing will allow you to tow more than the Ranger is designed for......unless you get into complete customization of the frame and upgrading axles......the reason they put a weight limit on them is because there is something that gave way at that weight limit.......
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
upgrade to Chevy leafs.....

nothing will allow you to tow more than the Ranger is designed for......unless you get into complete customization of the frame and upgrading axles......the reason they put a weight limit on them is because there is something that gave way at that weight limit.......
You smell that?! Bull Sh&%!!!!!


Here is what you need to boost load capacity w/o hardening the ride, and never needs adjusting like air systems...




Check out PerformanceProducts.com.
 

Last edited by 4x4offroad99; 11-12-2007 at 02:15 PM.
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Old 11-12-2007
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What are you talking about?? Chevy leafs will work, Zabeard ran/is running them and so have other people.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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Dont you think that since Aarons truck is stock height it would look awful having the rear all jacked up? Just imo.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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True, I thought you were saying they won't let the rear support more weight. I understand you now.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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Lol it is a great idea for lifted trucks though. I bet they could handle alot!!
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
Dont you think that since Aarons truck is stock height it would look awful having the rear all jacked up? Just imo.
well since 2wd chevy leafs only lift 2" on a ranger, you jus take out the stock block to retain the factory ride height. not too tough, right? still get the extra load capacity from full size truck springs....

those super springs look interesting. $300 for a ranger kit.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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Originally Posted by gumby
well sine 2wd chevy leafs only lift 2" on a ranger, you jus take out the stock block to retain the factory ride height. not too tough, right?

those super springs look interesting. $300 for a ranger kit.
Jeez I thought they were cheaper than that. How many leafs are in a chevy pack? Do they flex just as good or better? Id love to get rid of blocks, but what about the bump stops? Al he@# I dont need them anyways, lol j/k
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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they flex better because they are about 6" longer.

lots of threads about them.
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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And they keep the factory ride, better load capacity, and more flex? Hmmm im assuming you use 1/2 ton leafs? does the year matter?
 
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Old 11-12-2007
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i have overload coils in the rear, they sit on the rear axle, circling the bumpstops. there is about a inch between the top of the spring and where it contacts the frame when not loaded, with about 200 ponds of weight in the rear ( or on the ball ) its riding on the coils and using stock leafs. i do have the heavier stock payload pkg (gvwr 5040) works good and aint stiff when empty. i did have to hack off the bumpstops from the factory lift blocks, i have "new" bumpstops inside the coils at the height of wher the stock ones were, dont want to blow out a shock.
 
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Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
Dont you think that since Aarons truck is stock height it would look awful having the rear all jacked up? Just imo.
ummmmm Bob's (rwenzig) truck is STOCK height with Chevy leafs in the rear.......get your facts straight.......
 
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Originally Posted by 4x4offroad99
And they keep the factory ride, better load capacity, and more flex? Hmmm im assuming you use 1/2 ton leafs? does the year matter?
1/2 ton leafs....
 
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Old 11-13-2007
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Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
ummmmm Bob's (rwenzig) truck is STOCK height with Chevy leafs in the rear.......get your facts straight.......
If I wanted a smarta$$ reply I would of asked for Maurice. Oh, that is you.
 
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