03 4x4 ranger front shock questions

[4LOW_Mike]

Hi everyone, so I’ve had my ranger for almost four years. I’ve done a decent chunk of work and add ons. I recently upgraded my rear spring packs to the 43-871HD’s and now am installing my bilstein 5100 series shocks (though they’re meant for a RWD 4in lifted, I did the research and found the compression and decompression were very similar with factory specs). Anyways to my question/Curiosity I know I have a 4x4 not a RWD that being said I have looked at replacing my front shocks and supposedly I can get a rough country full tube non-chicken stick shocks for my front end. My theoretical question is would the tube be close enough to my CV to allow it not to rub; because I found a bilstein 5100 series shock meant for a f150 and the specs fall in line with the compression and decommission of what I need and they also happen to be a few millimeters narrower in circumference of the rough county tube. Any ideas and knowledge would be great also would save me from spending almost three hundred in parts. Thanks

 

[Uncle Gump]

I always figured it would be to close for comfort... so I never tried a full bodied shock on a Ranger IFS. Sure would be nice if they made a 5100 for them.

You could always be the first to try it...

 

[4LOW_Mike]

Alright, I’m not the only one that feels that way haha. Definitely do wish that they would’ve made one in that series. Well I’m gonna attempt it and buy the shocks.

 

[4LOW_Mike]

I’ve done some digging around on bilstein 5100 series, found a jeep Cherokee front end set called 5160 with a extended/piggyback shock. Thing is can the extra tube fit without clearance issues. A co-worker of mine has a two door Cherokee lifted and many extras, anyways I measured the bolt spread on my ranger and his Cherokee and they’re both 2 1/2 inches apart. Both with studs at top only other issue is the shocks seem to be sold separate at $199 each.