2008 FX4 suspension problems.

[Island-Guy]

I have bought a 2008 ford ranger Fx4 from the dealer new i have put a headache rack and rails + a tool box and a spray in bed liner. So my problem is that my truck sits overall 3.5" lower than any other rangers including the sport rangers i put 1 250 pound dirt bike in the back and i pretty much drag mud flaps my friend has a 2008 ford ranger sport NON 4x4 and he puts 2 dirt bikes in the back which weigh together around 600 pounds and his truck still sits higher. Ford says since they can not find any fault in my suspension they cant do anything about it and will not cover trying to put new leafs and springs in. Anyone have any suggestions. with the extra stuff in the back it should make the back lower than the front but the truck is pretty even over all 3.5" lower my thought is that the springs are not strong enough or did not get arched enough from factory. and they do not have a set ride hight for the fx4s when they leave factory. so one could be 3" higher and another could be 3" lower that doers not make sense to me why bother buying a fx4 when a sport can hold more weight.... I AM So ticked i wanna drive it into ford show room and get my money back.

DOES anyone out there have any ideas on what i can do ?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Does the leaf springs have its overload leaf? Its basicly a thick leaf that is straight and not curved, also its should be the very bottom one. I know with about 250lbs, my leafs will settle on the overload leaf and not drop any much further too quickly.

 

[Island-Guy]

Ya i do have my overload leaf Ford technicians have looked it over and have not found any faults within the suspension. But for some reason it sits low compared to all other ford rangers but Ford Canada says it is my accessories that is causing my truck to sit low but that would be the back would sit lower than the font but both front and back are sitting at basically the same ride hight. The overall hight of the whole truck is lower than any other Ford ranger but they say nothing is wrong.

 

[kansas 4x4]

it is my understanding that in 07 or 08 the trucks were not built as tall for better handling reasons.

 

[organic]

Did the truck sit level front to back when you bought it?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ya i do have my overload leaf Ford technicians have looked it over and have not found any faults within the suspension. But for some reason it sits low compared to all other ford rangers but Ford Canada says it is my accessories that is causing my truck to sit low but that would be the back would sit lower than the font but both front and back are sitting at basically the same ride hight. The overall hight of the whole truck is lower than any other Ford ranger but they say nothing is wrong.

I have more stuff than that riding on my 24 year old springs, before the bodylift it still sat higher than most of the same year.

The newer ones do sit lower than they used to, it could have been a midyear 08 thing.

Did it sit low when you got it?

 

[Island-Guy]

I did not notice anything when i bought it cause i did not think they were all different heights. One of the service writers had said he went out and measured 3 different rangers and they all sat at different heights. Now you think when they come out of the factory that they would all be built to spec and come out at the same height so there would not be any discrepancies. But it seems with my truck that the spring are just really soft i am 185 pounds and i get in the back and the back drops a good 2-4 inches.

 

[Chris.S.]

From what I've heard, the 08's were dropped about 1" compared to 07's. The rear should have a natural rake to it that puts it about 2" higher than the front-but that's reffering to unweighted stance.

But that doesn't explain why your friends 2WD and other trucks you've seen are so different.

You've got a fair bit of weight added to your truck, so it's not surprising that it would sit level front to back as it is. As far as sagging when you load your bike in, your best bet is probably just to put airbags in the back end.

I know my 07 drags it's rear like a dog as soon as I load all my camping stuff in it. These trucks really don't have much weight capacity.

A set of airbags should probably cost you around $400 and then you're styling and can carry as much weight as your axle can take...

 

[JohnnyO]

Starting in '08 Ford put shorter rear blocks and different (lower) torsion keys in 4x4 Rangers. They are noticeably lower than '07 and earlier trucks.
If you don't mind spending a little money it is easily possible to order the earlier parts from the dealer (or get them from a junkyard) and have them installed.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Or you could go the chapo route and bastardize the leaf pack and throw a few more leaves in.

I don't know about the later rangers, but the exploder springs might be an option. They're a bit stiffer.

 

[Island-Guy]

The dealership has agreed to bring in some leafs and some springs to see if that will make a difference and hopefully bring the stance of the truck up overall. I have acquired some free 3" blocks for the back but i need to get some torsion keys for the front if anyone knows of a good brand let me know.
If the new springs don't solve my problem i have a buddy who is opening a shop and he is really good with leaf springs and lift kits. I will get hime to add a leaf in the back or something.

 

[07rangersport]

Don't bother with keys. If you can get some torsion keys from an 07 and older truck it will raise yours to 07 and older factory ride height. I think its called the 'prekey' mod. That way you don't have to worry about cv angles and such

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Get '07 and older torsion keys to get the front up. Yes, it CAN be sorta considered a lift key, but it's a factory key and nothing else in the front suspension changed between 08 and 07....they changed the key and has been confirmed via this pic:

Ford clocked the keyway a few degrees for the 08 trucks...

After 'PreKey' Mod and belltech 6400 shackles...

and shoot....STOCK 08 4x4 (torsion bars) vs 07 2wd coilspring....

Doing the PreKey mod, you'll gain about 1.75-2" of height up front.


As far as your rear......what spring code do you have in the back? C? K? YES the additional weight of your accesories do play a role here....but not enough to make you drag mudflaps with just a dirtbike in the back. Plus....your factory rear block is 1" shorter than 07 and older 4x4's. Here's what I'd do.....you'd need to do what the canopy guys do.....AAL or shackle. Or replace that block with an older model block(2.5"). You said you've got 3" blocks for free....are they aluminum? if so, scrap them or give them back. Aluminum blocks = no bueno. Cast only. OR butcher up your leaf pack by adding a few leaves into it.