Fabtech coil spring help please.

[capt.bones]

First off im a new member. I hope to gain help and meet people on here. So when i bought my used 98 ranger xlt it came with fabtech coils and upper a arms. I rides horribly. No travel. Slammed stiff. I bought new 4 cyl ones thinking the old ones were 6 cyl. I couldn't see the part number. Turns out there the same. So my question is what can do to make it ride smooth and still obtain a 3 inch lift. I keep hearing that its going to keep wearing out balljoints if i leave the fabtechs in. Other option i heard was to put stock coils in with a 1 inch spacer. But will only leave me with a 2 inch lift. Please any help. Suggestions or options. Thank you.

 

[straycat]

It is normal to have a bit of stiffness in the suspension with any suspension lift. It should not be bone jarring. I run Fabtech 3 inch lift spindles and 2 inch taller coils and my 99 Ranger is very smooth and handles great. I run 33x12.5x15 KO tires. It is not a harsh ride. Have you been in any of your buddies lifted trucks to see how they are? I have buddies who have lifted 2wd and 4x4 trucks and never had any really harsh riding issues. I know a few people who lifted their trucks with Fabtech coils and never had any complaints. You might want to contact Fabtech and ask them your question. You also might want to look really hard at your front end and make sure you don't have any issue as well.

 

[capt.bones]

Thanks. I know the ball joints are warn out. I got new ones upper and lower. And new bilstein 5100. Maybe it was the old shocks that made it ride bad. Also the bumper that the upper a arm can hit is always sandwiched to the upper. Is that normal. Sorry for the dumb questions. And thanks for the feed back.

 

[TrueTarzan]

Shocks?

If the shocks were not changed or the wrong ones were installed the ride quality will suffer. The shock will always be at the top of it's travel or smashed at the bottom. I ran into a similar problem on my truck

 

[Half Nuts]

In truth, you really don't want a soft ride when you're lifted- too squishy means it's that much easier to roll. I have the Maxtrac 3" coils and shackles on my '02 and I love it- stiff, but not bad. You can find my full review in the suspension product review forum.