4x4 suspension systems (or lack thereof)

[buffster1980]

So while I've been here in Afghanistan, I've had plenty of time to do research on aftermarket parts for my truck. I've noticed that there isn't a whole lot out there for us, especially for those of us with newer model rangers. I have e-mailed a few different companies, trying to find out if they have plans for developing new parts for our trucks, and one company in particular, ORW out of San Diego, CA is actually looking for people to let them use their truck for new product development. In particular, i was looking for a pre-runner light bar for my rig. the email i got in response said that they are having trouble finding a truck to develop a new light bar for. Also, a lot of these companies are fairly small, so they need to make money off of what they build, and a lot of times, if there doesn't seem to be a high enough demand for something, they probably won't even consider developing the parts. Now, I'm on a mission. I'm e-mailing just about every suspension manufacturer, asking them if they have any plans for developing a suspension system for a 2006+ ford ranger. If everyone who is frustrated looking for parts for their trucks were to do this, it might show the companies that there is a high enough demand for new products, and maybe soon we'll have some new stuff for our trucks. i know it's a long-shot, but hey, it's worth a shot, right? Who's with me?

 

[railman]

actually all Rangers are the same 98+....just 06 they changed the T-bar keys....

I understand where you are commin from...and whatever you decide to do I will be ready to help with the install......

plus...there is always the ever-present SAS option......if a lift kit falls through....

l8r, John

 

[ThatGuy]

As someone that had worked closely with a manufacturer, you hit the nail on the head.

The mentality is ranger folks dont want to spend the money so why waste time making products that no one is going to buy? If enough folks done what you and I have done and demanded products, then products would be made.

Of course if you read some of the posts on here about people bitching about a $150 body lift then you can see where the mentality comes from.

 

[AaronC]

Ranger's have always had a large presence in the desert scene due to the old TTB or I Beam design, it was cheap and effective. This carried on to the later model a-arm trucks although they were by no means cheap or ideal to build. Shops took a while to come around for the 98+ 2wd trucks and at the same time pretty much said screw the 4x4 IFS crowd.

Dixon Bros kit is budget friendly, but very basic.. Other shops will not be able to sell something in same price range. People can't afford custom axles, spindles and hubs, and shocks for that manner. It is a very small market..

Who wants to go through months of R&D to only sell 20 kits max?

Light bar? as in front bumper? or a roof mounted type? If your after a roof mounted type, they are everywhere. If you are after a bumper. Have it built...

Light bar that matches your cab, click here!

 

[feellnfroggy]

I can agree with Thatguy. I look for parts all day long, but noone wants to pay for them so they dont exist( small supplys do) When I read the magazines noone mods rangers its all jeeps, cuz stuff is plentifull and cheap. the ranger is very capable just not enough demand. Same with the v6 mustangs.

 

[buffster1980]

As someone that had worked closely with a manufacturer, you hit the nail on the head.

The mentality is ranger folks dont want to spend the money so why waste time making products that no one is going to buy? If enough folks done what you and I have done and demanded products, then products would be made.

Of course if you read some of the posts on here about people bitching about a $150 body lift then you can see where the mentality comes from.

Ranger's have always had a large presence in the desert scene due to the old TTB or I Beam design, it was cheap and effective. This carried on to the later model a-arm trucks although they were by no means cheap or ideal to build. Shops took a while to come around for the 98+ 2wd trucks and at the same time pretty much said screw the 4x4 IFS crowd.

Dixon Bros kit is budget friendly, but very basic.. Other shops will not be able to sell something in same price range. People can't afford custom axles, spindles and hubs, and shocks for that manner. It is a very small market..

Who wants to go through months of R&D to only sell 20 kits max?

Light bar? as in front bumper? or a roof mounted type? If your after a roof mounted type, they are everywhere. If you are after a bumper. Have it built...

Light bar that matches your cab, click here!

i hear you guys, and i understand, a lot of times us ranger folks are on a tight budge, myself included. hell the reason i bought a ranger over a tacoma or even a frontier is mainly because a used ranger costs less. i understand that if i wanted to do cheap aftermarket mods i should have gotten a toyota. but i have always had the mindset that america makes a better truck. i wouldnt buy an american car, but i'm not going to buy a foreign truck. what i'm probably going to end up doing is getting a body-lift and cranking my t-bars anyway... it's just frustrating, you know?

aaron: looking more at a prerunner style light bar that attatches to the front bumper. i do have a buddy that owns a welder, just need to find a tubing bender, and he'll help me build one...