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First time Ranger


Uncle Gump

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Uncle Gump, thanks for the info. If I'm reading the build guide from this site correctly, I have 4.56 gears so I should be good to go with 33', correct? I have been looking into the old torsion keys and bigger blocks. Wulf Suspension has a kit for around $300 that includes Wulf branded shocks. They also sell the same kit with Bilstein shocks for about $525. Should I go for the kit with the Billsteins?
Like your idea about getting to camping spots as my in-laws are retired and like to fish and camp and we are planning to join them some wekends.
Well... I don't know everything about these trucks... but check your axle code on the door sticker. Then bounce that off the chart in the tech section. I'm thinking you probably had 4.10 gears from the factory.

I looked at the Wulf suspension stuff when I was considering what i would do to my truck. For one... I couldn't figure out who makes the shocks for them and for two... those torsion keys are indexed even more then the earlier keys then were suggested above. I just didn't think I needed them because I was pretty set on just a 32 inch tire. The higher you go with these torsion bar suspensions... it gets harder on the front end parts. I just want to keep mine as trouble free as I can. For shocks... I chose a set of KYB MonoMax. The Bilsteins have a pretty loyal following but I went with the KYB's because I've had really good luck with their shocks and was a distributor at my dune buggy shop for 20+ years and only had two returns in all those years... and we beat the snot out of them.
 


hmalopez

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Well... I don't know everything about these trucks... but check your axle code on the door sticker. Then bounce that off the chart in the tech section. I'm thinking you probably had 4.10 gears from the factory.

I looked at the Wulf suspension stuff when I was considering what i would do to my truck. For one... I couldn't figure out who makes the shocks for them and for two... those torsion keys are indexed even more then the earlier keys then were suggested above. I just didn't think I needed them because I was pretty set on just a 32 inch tire. The higher you go with these torsion bar suspensions... it gets harder on the front end parts. I just want to keep mine as trouble free as I can. For shocks... I chose a set of KYB MonoMax. The Bilsteins have a pretty loyal following but I went with the KYB's because I've had really good luck with their shocks and was a distributor at my dune buggy shop for 20+ years and only had two returns in all those years... and we beat the snot out of them.
That's exactly where I got the info on the gears from. Door sticker indicates R8. I'll check out the KYBs too, thanks
 

Uncle Gump

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Well that is why I said I didn't know everything about these trucks.
 

Uncle Gump

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So I just seen you post in another thread that you DO have a 4.10 gear.... where did your confusion come from?
 

hmalopez

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Well Uncle, searching for info all over, there doesn't seem to be any definitive answer. As you can see, my door sticker shows R8 under the axle column, which after looking at the article here on the ranger station showing what the codes mean, I thought I had 4.56 gears.
30406

So, I decided to just go ahead and crawl under the truck and look for the tag. I don't imagine anyone would convert to a higher gear. The other tag shows 75-140 synthetic only. So my question now is, does the R8 designation refer to a torsen diff?
30407
 

hmalopez

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Hello again! It's been a while. I have since put a 3" PA body lift, 265/75/16 tires, and Helo HE971 Maxx wheels.
My issue now is the rough ride. Mainly my DD to work with the occasional trip off road. Out of Pro Comp ES9000, Rancho RS5000X, and Bilstein B6 4600, which will give me the best ride? Thanks in advance.
 

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Uncle Gump

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Did you do anything to the suspension? Or just the body lift?

Are your tires E rated?

What is the tire pressure?

I'm really happy with my KYB MonoMax shocks. But if those you listed were the choices... Bilstein
 

hmalopez

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Did you do anything to the suspension? Or just the body lift?

Are your tires E rated?

What is the tire pressure?

I'm really happy with my KYB MonoMax shocks. But if those you listed were the choices... Bilstein
Speed rating is Q. Tires are GY Wrangler Duratrac 265/75/16/C 112Q. Air pressure on road is ~40psi. No suspension mods. just the BL.
 

Uncle Gump

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I would definitely drop the air pressure... try 30psi. Maybe even chalk the tires and check tread contact. Inflate until you get full tread contact... maybe up the pressure if hauling a load.

Something else that makes a difference is the weight of the wheel and tire. I shopped hard for a package too stay as light as possible. The best I could come up with is 70lbs per corner.
 

hmalopez

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I would definitely drop the air pressure... try 30psi. Maybe even chalk the tires and check tread contact. Inflate until you get full tread contact... maybe up the pressure if hauling a load.

Something else that makes a difference is the weight of the wheel and tire. I shopped hard for a package too stay as light as possible. The best I could come up with is 70lbs per corner.
Thanks Uncle Gump I'll try the chalk and make adjustment. Plus, I'm only guessing, but I'm pretty sure the original Ranchos are still on it. 110k miles.
 

Uncle Gump

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It's probably time for a new set... I'm sure it couldn't hurt anything.

Truck looks good.
 

Ranger850

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@hmalopez what did you do with your stock rims? I have been trying to get my hands on a set of those for a year now? I would be willing to buy them and pay shipping, if your price is affordable? PM me of available.
 

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