Difference Between "Off-Road" XLT Package and Normal?

[MorganMcCann]

What do you use your truck for? Besides pondering?

 

[triumphrider-1]

Daily driver, hauling (motorcycles, furniture, building supplies, metals, junkyards bits, etc.), hunting, trail driving, off road rides, camping, etc.

 

[MorganMcCann]

So pretty much everything.
What other brands of shocks are in the same price range as the 5000's?

 

[triumphrider-1]

You'd have to check some sites.

 

[4x4junkie]

The 5000s are not even gas-charged. I agree, find something else.

Bilsteins you cannot go wrong with, though they are a bit more $$$. Maybe look at the KYB Gas-A-Just line of shocks.

 

[MorganMcCann]

How much more are the Blisteins? I've heard Monroe is also good?

 

[4x4junkie]

If you look around, you should be able to find 5100/5125 series shocks maybe around $80-90 or so each I'm guessing.

Monroe I haven't heard a lot of good about, some people I know like Gabriels though. Anything nitrogen-charged will typically have better ride & handling control than something non-charged no matter what brand it is.

 

[MorganMcCann]

Gabriels is the Autozone brand, I've got them on my Mustang in the rear.
They seem decent.
Also a question!:
I was looking at my hubs on the ranger, and it looks like they have manual hubs, but if I turn the 4x4 switch on the dash, the 4 wheel drive works.
Is there a manual/automatic hybrid hub?

 

[MorganMcCann]

Also one more question.
Do I need different shocks for the "Off-Road" edition? Or are the shocks for the 4wd ranger correct?

 

[triumphrider-1]

Gabriels is the Autozone brand, I've got them on my Mustang in the rear.
They seem decent.
Also a question!:
I was looking at my hubs on the ranger, and it looks like they have manual hubs, but if I turn the 4x4 switch on the dash, the 4 wheel drive works.
Is there a manual/automatic hybrid hub?

Something like this (first picture)?
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_19982000_Ford_Ranger_Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html

Also one more question.
Do I need different shocks for the "Off-Road" edition? Or are the shocks for the 4wd ranger correct?

I didn't see any specific to the "off-road" package when I bought mine.

 

[MorganMcCann]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139128

I made a thread specifically for this question.

 

[lonewolf19k]

Huh?

For a '99, the Off Road package included

16" wheels & P245/75 tires
heavy-duty shocks
chrome bumpers & grill
fog lights
"4x4 Off Road" decals
"styled manual mirrors"
4.10 axle (but L/S is a separate option)
skid plates

Some things were likely further optionable such as power mirrors over the manual ones, etc., but those are the base package items shown in the brochure.
No suspension height differences (differences in height are likely due to amount of torsion bar preload adjustment)

I got everything but the fog lights and the skid plate.
I got my truck used and I have had a bunch of issues but they are mostly gone now.

 

[MorganMcCann]

I got everything but the fog lights and the skid plate.
I got my truck used and I have had a bunch of issues but they are mostly gone now.

What problems did you have?

 

[lonewolf19k]

Issues

I bought it used and let's say the dealer really screwed me.

$9k purchase plus $4k complete engine rebuild plus $5 extra work on engine.

Apparently the '99 ranger had 2 engines in production and I got the step-child engine.

Heads gave out after 2 months (past warrentee) and had to rebuild the enging. Dealer claimed no fault and even told me to "Not contact them again"

After rebuilsing the engine the only issue I have is a few dash lights out, a visor light out and I need to replace the running boards.