Torsion bars

[Bolo4u]

Hello all. It's been a long time since I've posted here but I need some guidance. It's time to refurbish the front suspension of my 1998 Ford Ranger, XT 4x4, 4.0 with torsion bars. However, It seems Ford has decided to discontinue the availability to purchase torsion bars, mainly the code 1 pass side bar. And I dont see any aftermarket options for torsion bars other than salvaging from a wrecking yard.

It's my understanding that the Mazda B series trucks are essentially the same mechanically, but different sheet metal and trim.

With that said, it seems the Mazda torsion bars are available. Below are the part numbers for Mazda and Ford.

Mazda:
Left: ZZP2-34-021
Right: ZZP2-34-011

Ford:
Right: F67Z-5B326-FA
Left: F67Z-5B326-FB

Is it safe to believe the Mazda bars will absolutely fit in the Ford without any modification to the truck?? I've only found speculation that they might or should work, and I thought I read somewhere a bushing is needed??

I have no desire to lift the truck either with a body lift or torsion key lift, just want to tighten up the front end and put a stronger bar in. Thanks very much in advance!

 

[Ranger850]

As far as I know, you are correct. Mechanically, they are the same truck. Mazda trucks were a little more expensive when new, so Mazda parts (even though they're Ford parts) might be a tad more $$ also.

 

[Bolo4u]

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping to hear from someone who has actually used the Mazda bars before I purchase.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping to hear from someone who has actually used the Mazda bars before I purchase.

Here is what you can do. I went over to Rock Auto and entered your year Mazda and a Ranger. They don't have torsions bars for sale but they do have dozens of critical parts that both trucks share. Plug your truck in there and look for say....a front end rebuild kit. Then click on the part number and it will cross reference everything else it will fit. Ranger comes up every time. I think they will fit.

 

[Ranger850]

I found this, hope it helps.

https://www.justanswer.com/mazda/9mjnn-mazda-b4000-4x4-will-ford-ranger-torsion-interchange.html

Will a Ford ranger torsion interchange with a Mazda torsion bar, part#zzpo-34-011 and zzpo-34-021. What are the Ford part #'s
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Answered in 22 minutes by:
4/1/2016
Mazda Mechanic: Eric

Eric, Automotive Repair Shop Manager
Category: Mazda
Satisfied Customers: 56,521
Experience: 20+ yrs. experience as repair shop manager and technician.

Verified
HI,They are interchangeable. The ford numbers are below: 2002 Ford Truck Ranger 4WD V6-4.0L VIN ESave ArticleParts InformationOEM PartTorsion BarFront SuspensionTorsion Bar7 - RightF67Z5B326FA 7 - LeftF57Z5B327A Please remember to rate service using the rating page so that I may receive credit. ThanksIf for any reason, you can't rate my answer OKAY, GOOD, or EXCELLENT today.Please reply and let me know why, so I can help more/better.All follow up responses are FREE, after completing the required rating

 

[don4331]

As my daughter has the B4000 in the calendar and we swapped torsion bars from my Ranger into her Mazda as part of installing the SuperLift, I can assure you they are identical. (OK there are 3 choices - light (3.0, manual, no a/c, regular cab), heavy (4.0, auto, a/c, SuperCab) and Medium (in between trucks).

My truck is running with the torsion bars that were originally in her B4000.

Technically, there is 4th choice - Explorer 5.0 - it swaps in too. Significantly stiffer​

 

[Josh B]

What is the purpose of wanting a stiff ride?

 

[Uncle Gump]

What is the purpose of wanting a stiff ride?

I would think if you used a heavy bumper... winch... even a snow plow the increased diameter of a bigger torsion bar would be beneficial.

 

[don4331]

What is the purpose of wanting a stiff ride?

If you install V-8 and don't want front end sagging after.

 

[scotts90ranger]

As my daughter has the B4000 in the calendar and we swapped torsion bars from my Ranger into her Mazda as part of installing the SuperLift, I can assure you they are identical. (OK there are 3 choices - light (3.0, manual, no a/c, regular cab), heavy (4.0, auto, a/c, SuperCab) and Medium (in between trucks).

My truck is running with the torsion bars that were originally in her B4000.

Technically, there is 4th choice - Explorer 5.0 - it swaps in too. Significantly stiffer​

I haven't looked into the bars on my V8 explorers but I'm not sure they're stiffer, probably depends on model... My Eddie Bauer is 4 corner air suspension and with the switch off the front was stupid low this hunting season (it rubbed EVERYWHERE), the shocks all leak so the compressor never stops so I turned it off... I turned it up 3 turns and it's still low... My '00 Limited is just rear air shocks and it was lower in the front than when the air shocks on the EB worked better... in the '00 with the switch off the "check suspension" light will come on with a single adult rear passenger, stupid soft rear leaf springs. In short, the V8 explorers are more likely to come with the fancy junk suspension, like they're more likely to come with the fancy junk climate control, oh how I wish they just had blue/red sliders instead of temperature control!!!

 

[Bolo4u]

Thanks to all who have replied. Looks like I'll be going the route of ordering some Mazda bars.

 

[Ranger850]

I'm hoping to hear from someone who has actually used the Mazda bars before I purchase.

As my daughter has the B4000 in the calendar and we swapped torsion bars from my Ranger into her Mazda as part of installing the SuperLift, I can assure you they are identical. (OK there are 3 choices - light (3.0, manual, no a/c, regular cab), heavy (4.0, auto, a/c, SuperCab) and Medium (in between trucks).

My truck is running with the torsion bars that were originally in her B4000.

Technically, there is 4th choice - Explorer 5.0 - it swaps in too. Significantly stiffer​

boom, real world application

 

[JoshT]

Torsion bars. IMO one of the worst aspects of the 98+ Rangers. Might not be so bad if anyone actually made replacements, but even Ford didn't seem to support them. That's why mine is probably going to end up with a coilover conversion down the road.

As my daughter has the B4000 in the calendar and we swapped torsion bars from my Ranger into her Mazda as part of installing the SuperLift, I can assure you they are identical. (OK there are 3 choices - light (3.0, manual, no a/c, regular cab), heavy (4.0, auto, a/c, SuperCab) and Medium (in between trucks).

My truck is running with the torsion bars that were originally in her B4000.

Technically, there is 4th choice - Explorer 5.0 - it swaps in too. Significantly stiffer​

I don't recall them being stiffer in anything I've read, but I wasn't considering needing to support V8 weight in the past either. I'm going to be stashing away a V8 explorer donor in the next year or two and now you've got me wondering.

What is the purpose of wanting a stiff ride?

If you install V-8 and don't want front end sagging after.

Increased weight is one good reason. Handling might be another. I know that a torsion bar Ranger isn't the ideal handling machine, but stiffening the suspension and decreasing body roll can make it better (I think). That prospect has me interested almost as much as offsetting the weight of a V8 swap.

 

[superj]

i don't like torsion bars either. not on any of the vehicles i had that came with them. i would like to convert to coil overs on the front but you cannot find that conversion kit anymore and if i try and make my own version, it might not end well for some future person on the road or any tires i try to put on

 

[Ranger850]

My 2001 Ranger AND 1987 Nissan have torsion bar suspension. I like the adjustablitity. I've never adjusted the Nissan but I have helped many a freind drop their hardbadoy ( 90's kids ) and Haven't driven the Ranger since I dropped the front almost 1". The TB suspensions are fine imo.