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Did the v8 swap now need suggestion for suspension


Danger ranger90

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So I've done a 302 swap to my ford ranger and my ultimate goal is to turn it into a drift truck. It's already lowered three inches. But need suggestions on how to make the front end supsions stiffer with less body role with either coil overs or something I'm really hoping some one out the has some kind is suggestions
 


JoshT

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Few things you might want to look at before springs. First, what condition are your bushings in? New poly bushings can tighten things up a lot. Second, what have you got for sway bars? If you haven't got one or have a small factory one, getting a large front and rear sway bar can make a drastic improvement in body roll. Third, what have you got for tires? 16"+ wheels and lower profile tires make a huge difference in handling. On my 84 I noticed almost as much difference when I went from 14" wheels to 16" wheels, as I did when I added a front sway bar. Never got a chance to lower it or add a rear sway bar, but that's coming on the next one.

I know that their were several different spring rates used on the 2wd I-beam Rangers, If you need springs maybe you could find some with a higher spring rate. IIRC NAPA lists spring rates on their replacement springs. Any stock replacement 2wd spring from 1983-1997 should fit right into your truck. I was actually thinking about doing this if I replace the springs on my 86, but I want to see how it runs and handles with just the lowering, sway bars, and larger wheels first.
 

RonD

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Bigger rims lower profile tires :)

Some Bronco II's came with a 1" sway bar on the rear and it bolts right on to a Ranger, assuming 7.5" axle, pre-'98 I think
Ranger sway bars were smaller.

But larger sway bar on the rear first, if it still feels "rolly" then go larger on the front as well
 

alwaysFlOoReD

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Danger ranger90

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Few things you might want to look at before springs. First, what condition are your bushings in? New poly bushings can tighten things up a lot. Second, what have you got for sway bars? If you haven't got one or have a small factory one, getting a large front and rear sway bar can make a drastic improvement in body roll. Third, what have you got for tires? 16"+ wheels and lower profile tires make a huge difference in handling. On my 84 I noticed almost as much difference when I went from 14" wheels to 16" wheels, as I did when I added a front sway bar. Never got a chance to lower it or add a rear sway bar, but that's coming on the next one.

I know that their were several different spring rates used on the 2wd I-beam Rangers, If you need springs maybe you could find some with a higher spring rate. IIRC NAPA lists spring rates on their replacement springs. Any stock replacement 2wd spring from 1983-1997 should fit right into your truck. I was actually thinking about doing this if I replace the springs on my 86, but I want to see how it runs and handles with just the lowering, sway bars, and larger wheels first.
It's has I beam front suspention and leafs in the rear with a small sway bar as well an where or who would I need to go to get sway bars
 
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alwaysFlOoReD

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Wrecking yard.

Sent from my XT1032
 

JoshT

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There were several different front and rear sizes available. The best factory rear sway bar is a 1" bar from a Bronco II, never paid much attention to the factory front since I already had an aftermarket front bar. There are a few threads in the 2wd suspension and mini truck suspension sub-forums on this site. The subject is covered pretty well in those. To sum up what they say, with your 93 you can install any sway bar that is on a 1989-1997 (83-97 for rear) Ranger, BII, or Explorer.

There are also aftermarket front and rear sway bars available online that work well. I personally had a 1 1/8" Hellwig bar on the front of my 84 and it worked wonderful. The same bar will not work on yours, but I'm sure that they have one that will.
 
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Danger ranger90

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There were several different front and rear sizes available. The best factory rear sway bar is a 1" bar from a Bronco II, never paid much attention to the factory front since I already had an aftermarket front bar. There are a few threads in the 2wd suspension and mini truck suspension sub-forums on this site. The subject is covered pretty well in those. To sum up what they say, with your 93 you can install any sway bar that is on a 1989-1997 (83-97 for rear) Ranger, BII, or Explorer.

There are also aftermarket front and rear sway bars available online that work well. I personally had a 1 1/8" Hellwig bar on the front of my 84 and it worked wonderful. The same bar will not work on yours, but I'm sure that they have one that will.
Awesome thank you very much I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future
 

Danger ranger90

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My next question is where would I look to get a manual steering rack to eliminate my power steering pump as well is there a power stealing pump delete kit?
 

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