Full suspension replacement NO LIFT help

[croxWsox]

Hello everyone. I recently acquired a 2007 Ranger FX4. It has 165k miles and runs like a top but the suspension is shot. I'd like to replace all of the "non-fixed" suspension components. I am not sure how else to phrase it. Shocks, coils, leaf springs, bushings, etc. Do I need to replace controls arms if they aren't bent (I had a Silverado that pressed in bushings and had to replace the whole control arm). I have searched, to no avail, for full STOCK suspension replacement kit. Do any of you know of anyone that sells everything as one? If I have to Frankenstein it, can you help on what I need other than shocks and leaf springs? Even if bushings pass the shake test (just grabbing what its attached to and see if there is play), I'd like to replace it while everything is torn apart since it is all stock. I do not want to add a lift. I should add, the truck does sit level so it may have the t-bar crank but not sure. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[BlackBII]

Don't think there's a kit available anywhere as typically you only replace one stock component at a time when it needs it.

Rockauto.com will have everything and you could order it all at once

 

[croxWsox]

I probably would go one at a time if I new the full history of vehicle. I would also prefer to only do it once instead of replacing one thing at a time to see if that smoothed it out, but that based not knowing much about the history.

I’ve heard a lot about rockauto. I tried to use them once (granted 2-3years ago) and after shipping, it was cheaper to go the local chain store and have them order the same components. Is it better now?

 

[Shran]

I would figure out what exactly is "shot" first and replace that. I hear that a lot and often it's just one or two parts or a bushing that fixes the whole problem. Anyway to answer your question:

Front wear items: shocks, tie rod ends, control arms, ball joints, wheel bearings
Rear wear items: shocks, leaf spring bushings/shackle bushing, leaf springs themselves (just reuse unless they're sagging a lot.)

There is probably no kit out there to do it all. RockAuto is a good source but you have to shop around and compare to local parts stores... I buy probably 75% of my parts from RockAuto but I order a bunch of stuff all at once. A bunch of small orders will cost you a lot in shipping.

Most of what you need is readily available from any supplier. The leaf/shackle bushings are harder to find. I have gotten them from Michigan Truck Spring - that would be my suggestion for OEM quality vs cheap ass polyurethane bushings. I would suggest just replacing the bushings in the leaf springs instead of buying new springs... you may not even need new bushings, I've dealt with a lot of them even from the 80's and older that are still in good shape.

 

[croxWsox]

I’ll give it the ole college try, and get under it to start looking at bushings up front. I do need rear springs. I put kayaks in the back (granted they’re bigger and 120lb total) and it safe a little. Thanks for the reply’s!

 

[rumblecloud]

Thumbs up on Michigan Truck Spring.
I replaced the leafs and brackets on my 94 from them.

 

[bobbywalter]

I deal with mi truck spring as well. Mostly chinesium garf as typical but generally quick to produce. Joint clutch and gear....and a local shop for driveshaft work...

Spring king may have all of the joints as well

 

[croxWsox]

sorry for the crappy pic and delayed response but work has been insanely busy. I’ll start with shocks. The truck is leveled but stock so I’m assuming the. T-bar crank from what I have read. Does anyone have the Bilstein 5100 model number I need for this? I know I want 5100’s but not sure of correct length given the truck sits level and would like to keep it that way.

 

[bobbywalter]

Do as you will ...

There is absolutely no way I would buy 5100 for stockish tires and suspension.

They are fine shocks worthy of the premium.... It is just that I have found the oem 4x4 sla ranger to be quite a good system and very acceptable.



So...I would buy beer and tools....




Mostly beer though

 

[Uncle Gump]

Even with a twist on the torsion bars to level the truck the front suspension travel remains the same. Just buy the factory length shocks.

 

[croxWsox]

Even with a twist on the torsion bars to level the truck the front suspension travel remains the same. Just buy the factory length shocks.

Thanks for that info!

I was looking at an “OEM” replacement but the shocks on it have about 20k miles on them and are the OEM replacement. It still rides pretty rough. Tires at 30psi and no play in the front components.

 

[ggomez2]

Thanks for that info!

I was looking at an “OEM” replacement but the shocks on it have about 20k miles on them and are the OEM replacement. It still rides pretty rough. Tires at 30psi and no play in the front components.

Did you end up replacing more than just shocks? My 08FX4 needs new ball joints (all 4), control arms, and wheel bearings