Hard ride

[DOND96]

I have a 96 ranger ext cab 4.0 auto 2wd. Problem I have is that it rides very rough I can feel every bump,little rock and crack in the road. To the point that it's a pain to drive. I put new shocks all around, new tires and lowered the air pressure in the tires. Lowering the pressure made it a little better but it still rides to hard. When I have it loaded it rides like it should. My question is has anyone had this problem before and how did they fix it. The truck does not sit level it has a rake to it. I don't think it's been lifted I think it's stock. Would lowering the rear make it ride better or make it worse. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[adsm08]

So your truck rides like a truck?

It is supposed to have some rake, but if someone put a helper spring or an add-a-leaf in the back it will do what you described.

 

[straycat]

I have a 96 ranger ext cab 4.0 auto 2wd. Problem I have is that it rides very rough I can feel every bump,little rock and crack in the road. To the point that it's a pain to drive. I put new shocks all around, new tires and lowered the air pressure in the tires. Lowering the pressure made it a little better but it still rides to hard. When I have it loaded it rides like it should. My question is has anyone had this problem before and how did they fix it. The truck does not sit level it has a rake to it. I don't think it's been lifted I think it's stock. Would lowering the rear make it ride better or make it worse. Any help would be great. Thanks

What shocks did you put on them? The right shocks will help out a harsh ride...but.....you have a truck.......

 

[cody93]

it suposed to do that, although the lack of weight in the back can make it a little jumpy on bumpy roads.

 

[Ranger Kip]

its stiff cause the suspension is stiff

 

[doorgunner]

I know what he's talking about......a few trucks are really bad about that...it's more than a firm ride---it's an aggravating ride.
I removed the overload leaf from both spring-packs on my '89---it helped the ride alot & kept the rearend from hopping to one side when I hit a big bump....
BUT I had to install adjustable rear air shocks to support heavy loads---WHICH made the rear end ride smoother also!

As for the front end, I bought car shocks which helped the ride a LOT BUT...the front end bottomed out easier.....

SO,

I put adjustable air shocks on the front end too...not I can raise/lower/rake/soften/stiffen the ride....

BUT....an Air-Ride compressor set-up cost about $300 .....

SO, I bought a $50 12volt mini compressor instead to fill the air shocks from inside the cab....

BUT...the airshocks need to have an independent air line run to each shock so pressure will not be transferred from (example) a left shock to a right shock when the left tire hits a bad bump causing the left shock to bottom out & the right shock to jack the right side up instantainiously...

However...if I install the $100 panel of airgauges I bought a year ago.....all the problems will be solved.....


adsm_......could you explain that better for me?


(and mavbe make this a Sticky.....(my fingers are tired--and my brain hurts)

 

[adsm08]

I know what he's talking about......a few trucks are really bad about that...it's more than a firm ride---it's an aggravating ride.
I removed the overload leaf from both spring-packs on my '89---it helped the ride alot & kept the rearend from hopping to one side when I hit a big bump....
BUT I had to install adjustable rear air shocks to support heavy loads---WHICH made the rear end ride smoother also!

As for the front end, I bought car shocks which helped the ride a LOT BUT...the front end bottomed out easier.....

SO,

I put adjustable air shocks on the front end too...not I can raise/lower/rake/soften/stiffen the ride....

BUT....an Air-Ride compressor set-up cost about $300 .....

SO, I bought a $50 12volt mini compressor instead to fill the air shocks from inside the cab....

BUT...the airshocks need to have an independent air line run to each shock so pressure will not be transferred from (example) a left shock to a right shock when the left tire hits a bad bump causing the left shock to bottom out & the right shock to jack the right side up instantainiously...

However...if I install the $100 panel of airgauges I bought a year ago.....all the problems will be solved.....


adsm_......could you explain that better for me?


(and mavbe make this a Sticky.....(my fingers are tired--and my brain hurts)

He said take the short leaf out of the pack and put an air ride kit in it. Expesnive but effective.

 

[doorgunner]

"You must spread some rape around before giving to adsm08 again"

 

[dangerranger83]

Rep'd him for you DG.

 

[Countryboy28]

I had the same problem. my shockes were so bad that they just sat completely compressed, bought new shocks and they need to be broken in so dont expect a quick fix. it can take up to a month to break in the new shocks

 

[DOND96]

I understand it's a truck and I know it will ride a little stiff. But my 89 4x4 ranger didn't ride this bad and I never had a truck ride like this one. The shocks are OEM replacements Monroe brand. I know it should have a little rake to it but it seems like it's more then other stock trucks I've seen.I don't see an overload spring or anything on it,but will look closer.I don't know but maybe the shocks are just to stiff for this truck or I'll put 200lb sand bags inthe back the smooth it out LOL. I'll keep working on it. Thanks for the help

 

[adsm08]

Have you seen the thread that ran similar to this one and we then found out that the PO had modified the rear springs for hauling a 5th wheel?

You don't have 7 leaves in each pack do you?