Has anyone done the coilover conversion?

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Was debating starting a new thread. I did it. Can't undid it.

So has anyone still around the forums done the coilover conversion on a 1998+? Pros? Cons? Better than torsion bar? Things you'd do differently?


Edit: extremely good thread on the subject:

Coil-over sadness/madness - Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

Suspension Tech - Coil-over sadness/madness - So today was the first time I have even heard about coil over conversion on RBVs. I got so excited I joined and read through all the threads on the site, and finally got to the end of one and found out ORW doesn't offer the kit anymore!!!! I have all...

www.ranger-forums.com

 

[Blmpkn]

Pros... coilovers.

Cons... labor.

Better than Bars? Absolutely.

First hand experience.. none.

 

[superj]

i looked for one of the kits for a while because i wanted to do it on the 04 edge i have but i couldn't find one of hte kits so i gave up. i would much rather have coils on the front.

if you do it, list where you go the parts and part numbers so when my ranger comes back, i can do it too

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yeah, I'll throw a thread together. The only brackets I can still find are the northpeak ones

COILOVER CONVERSION BRACKETS | home

www.northpeak4x4.com

I talked to him last week, he still makes them.

The coilovers are the next ones. I need to see what's still available.

 

[superj]

thats the part that was killing me was the brackets. i couldn't find anything but old posts about them in different forums and no one appeared to still be making them.

 

[Curious Hound]

thats the part that was killing me was the brackets. i couldn't find anything but old posts about them in different forums and no one appeared to still be making them.

Unfortunately, some of the best aftermarket parts are only made by

And

 

[Snoranger]

Was debating starting a new thread. I did it. Can't undid it.

So has anyone still around the forums done the coilover conversion on a 1998+? Pros? Cons? Better than torsion bar? Things you'd do differently?

I can.

 

[2Krngr]

I have coilovers on my lowered awd Level II, I just made the upper brackets from a piece of box tube, there isn't much to them at all. And for the lowers just a regular shock mount is needed, just weld it to the lower arm.

The mounts they sell are nice to be able to bolt-on but come at a very high cost, if anyone has a friend that can do the most basic of welding these can built for pennies. And if you do the gussets on the frame as well someone's got to be welding those on anyway.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I have coilovers on my lowered awd Level II, I just made the upper brackets from a piece of box tube, there isn't much to them at all. And for the lowers just a regular shock mount is needed, just weld it to the lower arm.

The mounts they sell are nice to be able to bolt-on but come at a very high cost, if anyone has a friend that can do the most basic of welding these can built for pennies. And if you do the gussets on the frame as well someone's got to be welding those on anyway.

View attachment 93030
View attachment 93031
View attachment 93032

View attachment 93033

Awesome setup.

I wound up ordering a set of the North Peak ones from Matt. Nice guy, lurks here from what I can tell. https://www.northpeak4x4.com/

I'm guessing you made the sway bar link mounts as well? Way nicer setup than stock. I may copy that...

Just out of curiosity, which shocks and springs did you go with?

 

[Blmpkn]

I have coilovers on my lowered awd Level II, I just made the upper brackets from a piece of box tube, there isn't much to them at all. And for the lowers just a regular shock mount is needed, just weld it to the lower arm.

The mounts they sell are nice to be able to bolt-on but come at a very high cost, if anyone has a friend that can do the most basic of welding these can built for pennies. And if you do the gussets on the frame as well someone's got to be welding those on anyway.

View attachment 93030
View attachment 93031
View attachment 93032

View attachment 93033

Did you plate or otherwise reinforce the lower arm for the shock mount? Those arms arent exactly the thickest steel, I'd be worried about it getting stressed over time and cracking/breaking. Lots more pressure on that arm supporting the whole vehicle.. rather than just damping.

 

[JoshT]

Lots more pressure on that arm supporting the whole vehicle.. rather than just damping.

So what is it that you think the torsion bar connects to? That arm has supported the whole vehicle from the day it rolled off the assembly line.

 

[sgtsandman]

So what is it that you think the torsion bar connects to? That arm has supported the whole vehicle from the day it rolled off the assembly line.

I can see where he is going with his question. The pressure point has moved from the hex eye in the control arm and is concentrated there. With the coil over, the pressure point is moved further down the control arm.

Granted, shock damping forces were taken up by that area already. So it might not even be a problem but with that section now not only taking the damping forces but also supporting the vehicle, it is a valid question to ask in my mind. The type of forces enacted in that area have changed.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I can see where he is going with his question. The pressure point has moved from the hex eye in the control arm and is concentrated there. With the coil over, the pressure point is moved further down the control arm.

Granted, shock damping forces were taken up by that area already. So it might not even be a problem but with that section now not only taking the damping forces but also supporting the vehicle, it is a valid question to ask in my mind. The type of forces enacted in that area have changed.

That’s pretty much my thoughts too. You’re changing the dynamics of it, the area around the torsion bar is reinforced so I’d think reinforcing around a coil over mount makes sense.

 

[JoshT]

Granted, shock damping forces were taken up by that area already.

IIRC, you've also got the bumpstop making contact in that area. When bottoming out the bumpstop is going to be taking the full weight then some, so that area of the control arm is also going to be supporting that much force. That area of the control arm has to be designed to take it.

Not saying that I wouldn't rather have the reinforcement provided by the adapters that have been sold. I just don't think that not having it is a problem.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Probably a useful update... talked to Downsouth Motorsports today, and they sent me the attached quote based on my setup.

Not horrible... not cheap, either. However I did spring for reservoir shocks vs emulsion, and they are making valving adjustments to the shock bodies for my needs (90% pavement and 10% Pennsylvania rural roads). Should put me 1-2 in over pre-lowered keys stock height, which is exactly where I want to be.