Extremely Harsh Ride

[Gacknar]

Well I did more research on Monroe's web site and found a set of GasMatic LT shocks that should fit the front of a Ranger with 4"-6" lift. Oddly the application was for the rear of a Kia These shocks made a big difference in how the rear rides, and they only cost $24.00 each

I got them Saturday, but I have not been able to install them yest. I'll let you know the results when I get them on.

[Gacknar]

Originally Posted by Gacknar

I got them Saturday, but I have not been able to install them yest. I'll let you know the results when I get them on.

I finally installed them.

OMG, they made a huge difference!

The front soaks up bumps like they are not there!

[Gacknar]

Well I've been driving it every day for several months. I am very happy with the results, for less than $150 I completely changed the ride. The Ranger rides far softer than it did. The front rides as soft as a factory 2x4 Ranger of a similar year, and the rear is a little firmer than a factory Ranger of the same year, but not to bad. The rear is stiff due to the add-A-leaf in the spring pack.

Here is a summary.

Vehicle

1989 Ranger STX Highrider with a 4" Trail Master lift modified to 5.5"-6" (+/-) with Pro-Comp ES-1000 Hydraulic (Not Gas Charged) shocks.

What I did

Removed both sway bars.

Replace stock shackle with 4100 shackle from AutoZone.

Removed lift block (Leaving factory block)

Replaced rear shocks with Monroe Gasmatic LT's of the correct length and stud eye configuration. The application was for a Super Duty. These shocks all use the same valving, so no matter what the application the valving is the same. These shocks are very lightly valved, especially in compression. Most of the valving is in rebound. They also have grooves in the shock body at ride height that act as a partial bypass at that height.

Replaced front shocks with Monroe Gasmatic LT's of the correct length and stud eye configuration. The application was for the rear of a Kia. See above about valving.

Pros
Much improved ride. No more bone jarring or teeth rattling over small bumps in the road. Rides similar to stock suspension, and far better than most lifted 4x4s.

Cons
It does have some body roll in turns now. It's not bad, I would call it average for a normal truck. But not like before where it would literally lift the tires before the suspension would tilt.

The front bottoms out on jumps. Yes I jump it occasionally, and now that the front can actually move I need to lower the bump stops to keep this from happening. Extended radius arms would also solve the problem since the tire is contacting the rear edge of the fender due to the short arc of the radius arms. But that's not in the budget right now.

Now that the front can move independently of each other, I get some bumpsteer. Before my next alignment I will get the longer SkyJacker pitman arm to solve this.

Hope this helps somebody else out