89 STX Suspension

[Gary101386]

I bought an 89 STX from my boss a few months ago. Well over the weekend i finally helped someone move some things and my suspension sagged way down...

I mentioned my dilemma to my boss and he said, "Good Luck finding shocks! With it being the STX with the factory lift i could not find them or i would have changed them back when i noticed them..."

So my question, these are not something i can just go and buy off the shelf of my local auto parts store... any idea where i can get them?

Im not looking for anything to haul big loads or for offroad purpose, just a good all around set of rear shocks...

Thanks!

Gary~

 

[The Mud Addict]

Take one out, extend it fully and measure it, fully compress it and measure it. Then get new shocks with the same #'s, simple to do
Then laugh at your boss

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

89 won't have the highrider package anyways. It was an 87/88 only option.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/spring2008/high_rider_stx.htm

 

[Gary101386]

89 won't have the highrider package anyways. It was an 87/88 only option.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/spring2008/high_rider_stx.htm

i see that, but my truck does not sit low like any other ranger... it sits pretty high...

those are 30.5's

 

[snoranger]

89 won't have the highrider package anyways. It was an 87/88 only option.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/spring2008/high_rider_stx.htm

Youre 100% right, the '89 DID NOT have a "High Rider" option. It was called "Sport Rider" in '89 and it was essentially the same as the High Rider, with a new name.

 

[ifergusson]

When I was looking for longer shocks for my Bronco II I I used this shock chart from Monroe http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/english/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf as well as the Rockauto website to find some shocks that had the same mounts but were a little longer.It turns out some F150 ones would work,I just had to drill out the lower mounting bracket on the axle a hair.I am not sure if Rangers take the same rear shocks but the same principle applies.

 

[gw33gp]

The 89 STX does have the equivalent of the "High Rider" suspension. I owned one for 13 years and replaced the shocks twice during the 200,000 miles that I drove it. I used Heckethorn shocks. They actually have a shock specifically for the Ranger factory lift suspension.

I originally tried Bilstein because they told me their shock would work. After installation the shocks were almost fully extended when setting at its normal stance. I returned them and got my money back. That is when I started my search and found the Heckethorn shocks. They turned out to be pretty good shocks and they lasted about 100,000 miles even with considerable off-road use. I think they are basically a Rough Country shock. I found them at a store that specializes in Jeeps.

They fit with no modification required.

I just looked at Rough Country shocks and they have them listed specifically for 87 to 89 Ranger w/ High Ryder option.

 

[fyre82]

Rancho has shocks for that application. I'm on my second set. Order the ones for the 2" lift I think it is.

 

[Gary101386]

the thing that confuses me, is i have looked at the article for to know if you have the high rider and i dont see that drop bracket on my truck.

 

[snoranger]

the thing that confuses me, is i have looked at the article for to know if you have the high rider and i dont see that drop bracket on my truck.

I dont recall having the extra plate on the pass side of my STX either. Maybe the '89s didnt have that. Look at the radius arm bracket and see if there are drop plates and spacer blocks there. Also check the T-case... Is the front output a slip joint with a boot or a fixed yoke.