Complete suspension replacement on 94' 4x4 Ranger, need help

[jfisher]

I'm really not sure what I want to do this point with my 1994 Ranger.

I just had a used car inspection done by a good local mechanic shop on my truck, and the results are lease than pleasing.

First off, I only paid $700 for this truck. I figured for a running, driving (daily at that), working 4x4, and probably 99% rust free body, it was worth that. My current daily driver at the time got totalled, so now I drive this truck everyday.

Here is what the truck needs after the inspection (suspension-wise):

-All the ball joints are completely ruined
-front wheel bearings are loose
-Leaf springs are completely detached at the rear shackles and the ends of the leaf springs actually rusted through (the rear most ends) and stayed in the rusted out shackles.
-Shocks are rusted through
-axle u joints are rusty but tight
-middle u joint in front axle has play
-brakes pulsate
-most of frame to body bushings are wasted
-rear brake pads are cracking & wheel cylinders are leaking


Keep in mind that I drive this truck daily and it really runs and drives ok. I've driven it to Toledo from Cincinnati, and also drove to Plymouth, MI to pick up a T56 in the condition that it's sitting in now.

My question(s) are are there any front suspension kits available (good quality stuff, not junk) and what should I do about the rear leaf springs? I wouldn't mind putting a nice skyjacker kit on this truck at some point, so can I run skyjacker 6" lift rear leaf springs out back?

I plan on buying a complete shackle and bolt kit for both sides of the leaf springs. Problem is that now the leaf springs need replaced as well.

What would you guys do and what parts would you use to fix it?

Keep in mind, I'd actually like to keep this truck for a long time as the body and interior are in great shape, and having 4x4 and a truck even have been really nice with moving and making trips for mustang parts.

 

[railman]

well, since your in Cincy be easy to look up in the "Thrifty Nickle" for someone parting out a 90's model Ranger to get some used springs until ya get the Skyjacker ones

have the ball joints replaced ASAP since they will ruin a set of tires QUICK...not to mention ya runnin the risk of the knuckle detaching....

since the front hubs and knuckles need to be removed to do the ball joints have new wheel bearings put on at the same time

and as you said, you are gonna get new spring perches and shackle kit ( the ones i got off ebay came from Cincy )

i got my urethane body mounts from Summit and did those easily enough ( since they were pretty well wasted also )

the rear brake cylinders are cheap, as well as the shoes so should be done when the ball joints are done...and maybe have the rotors turned while they are off for the ball joint replacement as well.

as for shocks, just get the cheap ones from Auto Zone, or Pep Boys...whoever til ya get the Skyjacker kit 9 need new longer shocks then anyways )

personally i would do all the Suspension and brake work first... then worry bout' the body mounts and u-joint that has "play"...

l8r, John

 

[jfisher]

well, since your in Cincy be easy to look up in the "Thrifty Nickle" for someone parting out a 90's model Ranger to get some used springs until ya get the Skyjacker ones

have the ball joints replaced ASAP since they will ruin a set of tires QUICK...not to mention ya runnin the risk of the knuckle detaching....

since the front hubs and knuckles need to be removed to do the ball joints have new wheel bearings put on at the same time

and as you said, you are gonna get new spring perches and shackle kit ( the ones i got off ebay came from Cincy )

i got my urethane body mounts from Summit and did those easily enough ( since they were pretty well wasted also )

the rear brake cylinders are cheap, as well as the shoes so should be done when the ball joints are done...and maybe have the rotors turned while they are off for the ball joint replacement as well.

as for shocks, just get the cheap ones from Auto Zone, or Pep Boys...whoever til ya get the Skyjacker kit 9 need new longer shocks then anyways )

personally i would do all the Suspension and brake work first... then worry bout' the body mounts and u-joint that has "play"...

l8r, John

John, that last line was really the info I was looking for. I will definitely do that then!

What do you mean by Thrifty Nickel?

 

[Downey]

as in good things for a good price is thrifty nickel

 

[railman]

John, that last line was really the info I was looking for. I will definitely do that then!

What do you mean by Thrifty Nickel?

sorry...i used to live in Cincy (Western Hills) and in the UDF's or Kroger's near the front doors had these free classified ad papers named the "Thrifty Nickle"....just sorta took for granted they were still out there

anyways......just look for some used springs from a junkyard ( really think they are all the same 89-2000 ) they have to be better than what ya got

l8r, John

 

[jfisher]

Ok, I've ordered the moog ball joints, raybestes rotors and akebono pads from Rock Auto. I'm going to pick up some Timken wheel bearings from Autobone on saturday and get started fixing this front end. Is there anything else you guys would recomend replacing while I am going to have this front end torn apart?

 

[railman]

Ok, I've ordered the moog ball joints, raybestes rotors and akebono pads from Rock Auto. I'm going to pick up some Timken wheel bearings from Autobone on saturday and get started fixing this front end. Is there anything else you guys would recomend replacing while I am going to have this front end torn apart?

check the radius arm bushings......really cheap and easy to replace with the front all apart

l8r, John