not looking to need a ladder... just wondering

[baxtej44]

not looking to need a ladder to get into my truck... in fact i don't go offroad or tow... so i don't even need a lift (maybe if somehow i feel like getting one down the road i will)

however, just wondering if anything should be done to improve the ride, or make it safer for city/highway driving.


88 ranger xlt 2.9L 4x4

 

[TrexMex]

Sway bar polymer bushings.... I believe there's an article on that somewhere...

 

[JohnnyO]

New shocks of a not-so-heavy-duty nature, like Monroe Sensa Tracs.
On a 21 year old truck, the bushings could be shot or simply hardened up, also at that age it's possible that the front coils and/or rear leaf springs could be cracked.

 

[baxtej44]

Sway bar polymer bushings.... I believe there's an article on that somewhere...

New shocks of a not-so-heavy-duty nature, like Monroe Sensa Tracs.
On a 21 year old truck, the bushings could be shot or simply hardened up, also at that age it's possible that the front coils and/or rear leaf springs could be cracked.

so from like LMC...

front suspension:
coil spring set (50-5910) for $79.95
HD gas shock-front (45-2374) for $19.95 (there are three levels of shocks for the front suspension... $19.95, $34.95, and $59.95.... should i go mid level or stay lower end? i don't off road, and never will.. sorry off roaders!)

rear suspension:
rear leaf spring (50-5960) for $109.95... does this include only one? i need one for each side, correct? sorry.. i have no mechanical experience! lol
hd-gas-charged shock (45-2377) for $19.95 (also three classes on this one)



i can try and take a look at the front coils (i assume these are the ones that just look like a giant spring?) and the leaf springs (i know what these look like.... pieces of metal stacked on top of each other (rough description.. but i/you get the point))

will it be obvious if these are cracked... the ride is what i'd expect from a truck... but it could be better.

 

[Rifleman]

I'd say do shocks and bushings, typically with cracked springs the evidence is easily identified in doing all the bushings and shocks.

 

[JohnnyO]

The cheap shocks should be fine. You often can't tell if a spring is cracked until you remove it, unless the truck is sagging or leaning.

 

[baxtej44]

I'd say do shocks and bushings, typically with cracked springs the evidence is easily identified in doing all the bushings and shocks.

The cheap shocks should be fine. You often can't tell if a spring is cracked until you remove it, unless the truck is sagging or leaning.

thanks, how hard is it to replace the bushings shocks and springs? are there any reputable websites anywhere out there? or does anybody mind writing an in depth write up? unless there is already a tech article... those are tricky sometimes to me though.

i know i've seen the springs, and they are a little rusty... which is probably normal... but i if i get new ones, i'll probably paint them up to look really nice! can you paint shocks?


as far as a strictly view based look... the truck isn't leaning enough to show me.

 

[srteach]

as far as the rear spring bushings ... for 3 days ahead of time, thoroughly soak the spring bolts/nuts with pblaster brand penetrant each day ... undo the bolts at each end (maybe have to cut them out), remove the rubber bushings, put poly bushings back in, reassemble and torque the bolts to 85ft/lbs. The challenge is usually getting the rusted buggers off. Plan several hours and a few rest / de-frustration breaks for this job.

The last time I did it, it took 4 hours with shop tools.

Shocks are easy. Undo the bolts (p'blaster helps here, too), put one end in place, then cut the compression band on the shocks and guide the other end of the shock into position as the shock extends, bolt it up and torque to 75ft/lbs. Remove the front tires to make install easier. Back tires don't interfere with shock install. Two hours with hand tools and jack.

I'm experienced with this kind of thing. It may / may not take you longer.

 

[TrexMex]

Check this out for poly bushings..

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/6-2022F.html

Thing with this set is that you'll get 2 sets of leaf springs/shackles bushings and no sway bars bushings.. I went this way with my old truck, changed the front coils for a set of skyjacker soft rides and kept the rear leaf springs... It made sense to spend the extra bucks on the skyjackers because I do some moderate trailing, just sand and mud and the occasional steep trail but no rock crawling.. I do that with a harness and a rope It will also level your truck without lifting it more than 1.5" - 2" on the front.

Now with the truck I just got what I'll do is to buy the things separate, so I got the body bushings (set of 12 for the super cab) from suspensionconnection.com and the rest of the parts from here:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Ford+Ranger+4WD+1994

This saves you a couple of bucks and you make sure you get exactly what you want.... Poly bushings made a HUGE difference in ride quality being my truck my DD as well as my weekend toy, and wouldn't consider going any other way from now on. As I said before I just got another truck and it will be the first thing I'm investing in.

Hope all this babbling helped you at least a little bit