Broken coil spacer and tired springs. What would you do?

[Ranger850]

(I say 22.5 inches but really, as you can see in the pic, it is a little over that):

22 and 9/16" or 22.56"

 

[gaz]

I am eagerly awaiting your take on the ride quality with the new springs; how do they feel while driving?

 

[rang-a-stang]

Adjustable bushings? Did you ballpark the alignment?
I ballparked mine, but can't test it yet cuz it's freakin' Michigan.

It looks like it is "sitting pretty," as they say. If anything, you might have a little positive camber (listen to me -- I've done it one time and now I'm an expert ).

We did ball park the alignment. It handles pretty much exactly the same as pre-curb kiss.

Check that alignment The bearings on D28 don't like misalignment and 31inch tires

Rgr. it's just ballparked at this point. We are letting the coils "seat" for a bit before we get a pro to re-align it. We need do to a clutch now, too. so Alignment after clutch.

22 and 9/16" or 22.56"

YES! concur!

I am eagerly awaiting your take on the ride quality with the new springs; how do they feel while driving?

copy. More below.
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Offroad trip this weekend was great! He said the front did NOT rub at ALL! Usually the front would rub at the fairings at full lock and compression. He said it felt much more comfortable on the woops, too. So far he is super stoked on it!

Only downside was the clutch started to make some squealing noises after a couple steep hills. We ordered a new clutch kit today and hope to install it next weekend.

(thread hi-jacking my own thread): Should we plan to do the rear main seal at the same time we are doing the clutch? Can we do the RMS without dropping the oil plan?

I'll take measurements on the stance tonight when we get home. I suspect it is still slightly off.

 

[gaz]

Rang a Stang,

You have an 86, so it is a 2.9L, the rear main seal is not a problem unless it's leaking; if you've swapping in a 4.0L, then the rear main seal IS A PROBLEM...if it's leaking.

I just wanted to recommend using a 4.0L clutch instead of the 2.9L clutch. It is larger and far more durable. There is a very good write up in the tech pages on the requirements ..)

 

[rang-a-stang]

Rang a Stang,

You have an 86, so it is a 2.9L, the rear main seal is not a problem unless it's leaking; if you've swapping in a 4.0L, then the rear main seal IS A PROBLEM...if it's leaking.

I just wanted to recommend using a 4.0L clutch instead of the 2.9L clutch. It is larger and far more durable. There is a very good write up in the tech pages on the requirements ..)

Dangit!!! I got your message a little too late. I ordered a Luk flywheel and clutch kit from Rockauto (and a release bearing) for the 2.9 and we are going to install them all tonight/tomorrow. It was about $170 out the door. The flywheel was only $40! That's cheaper than I paid to resurface the last flywheel I did! AND it comes with a new ring gear! Whoo Hooo! This also means we have everything to complete the job and won't have to wait on a machine shop to do the flywheel.

Copy all on rear main seal.
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After a good weekend of off-roading it looks like the springs have mostly leveled out. I see a 1/4" difference between them, now. I am going to stick one washer in the passenger side just because I have it and it's easy. If I did not have the washer I would just let it ride.
Driver side

Passenger side

 

[Bgunner]

I find it weird how most rangers have the lean to them. Mine has a lean to the left side even after new springs in the rear.

It would be interesting to see the difference in ride height after the washer was installed.

 

[SenorNoob]

Don't be worried about the 2.9 clutch.
I ran one behind my 4.0 for ?7? years doing stupid stuff (4 wheel burnout attempt anybody?) and other than broken springs it was in just as good a shape when I pulled it as when I put it in.

 

[rang-a-stang]

It took us 6 hours to get the transmission/xfer case out. At this point, I will not be putting that washer in because I am sooooo fried on this thing. Maybe in the coming months but at this point, I think this front suspension is done.

 

[superj]

i wonder if these sit high on the driver side to correct when a person is sitting in them?

like in some types of repairs or alignments, you are supposed to put 150 pounds in the driver seat