Help - My Budget '89 Ranger Front Suspension Components

[newusr]

Hey I'm new. I bought my Ranger back in January for $200 from someone local. When I got it it did not run, two flat tires, bad power steering pump. I did a few things to this truck now it is running great. Making it my daily driver. So far (with help) I have replaced the power steering pump, some brake lines, new brakes all around (calipers and one cylinder), bought two used tires, cleaned the IAC, and cleaned the throttle body.
Now...

This is a tired old truck, I am not trying to put a bunch of money into this truck. I want to find the cheapest route to get the front end in good working order

Ball Joints
Tie-Rods
Tie-Rod-Ends

Swaybar EndLinks
Swaybar Bushings


Radius Arm Bushings - Can I get away without changing the actual Radius arm. As long is it's not all bent up or rusted through right?

What bushings or parts am I missing that should probably be replaced?

Shocks - KYB? Do I need longer extending shocks for the F150 springs?
Springs (F150) What year of F150 springs? or Moog?

What else should I do or am I missing. I am still teaching myself how to do these things and learning new things every day.

I have noticed I also need body mounts? Anyone recommend the cheapest option for this. I mean I have only looked at 3 body mounts so far, it looks like someone loosened them, but I doubt it. Amazing what old age, rust, and abuse can do to a vehicle. The body mounts are "floating" I can wiggle them around and pull them up and down a good 1"-3". The bolts are all rusted out.

Can someone help me find some of these parts cheap? Autozone, eBay? Part #s? I wish in the Tech Articles we could have some indepth charts with compatible parts. Unless I'm blind and missed it. I have been doing a bit of reading. New to the Ranger world/scene

More pics soon. Those pics are the Craigslist Pics before i bought it.

 

[newusr]

[ bUmP ]

What brand of wheel bearings are good?

 

[shadetreebronco]

I personally use NAPA for tie rod ends , ball joints & bearings.

I use Advanced Auto for bushings because they have a few choices of manufacturers and prices.And i like their speed perks deals.

I'm not a big fan of autozone but if Advanced don't have what i need on a Sunday autozone is next door.

I do shop for best value.

 

[JoshT]

My reply in Red

This is a tired old truck, I am not trying to put a bunch of money into this truck. I want to find the cheapest route to get the front end in good working order

Ball Joints
Tie-Rods
Tie-Rod-Ends

Cheapest way for those is don't go cheap. Buy cheap and you'll be replacing the soon. Get a good brand like Moog or TRW.

Swaybar EndLinks
Swaybar Bushings

Same as above. You can use rubber replacements and see a lot of improvement over the 27 year old rubber that's there. If it were my truck, I'd put poly bushings anywhere that I could. They stiffen up the suspension and make it handle better, but the trade off is supposedly a slightly harsher ride because they transfer more feedback from the road. Once again go with a good brand like moog, energy suspension, prothane, etc...





Radius Arm Bushings - Can I get away without changing the actual Radius arm. As long is it's not all bent up or rusted through right?

No reason to replace the radius arm unless it's damaged in some way. Same advice here as for the sway bar bushings.

What bushings or parts am I missing that should probably be replaced?

Since you'll basically be doing the whole front end with what you have listed, you may as well go all the way. Add Axle pivot bushings to your list. Might stick with regular rubber on this, but poly is available for these too.

Shocks - KYB? Do I need longer extending shocks for the F150 springs?
Springs (F150) What year of F150 springs? or Moog?

Since the rest of this is front suspension I assume that you are talking about the front coil springs.

Why F-150 springs? Are you looking to lift the truck? Is there some reason to replace the springs?

For either front or rear stick with Ranger springs. If you're trying to stay budget, I'd just keep what's there unless there is some valid reason to replace them. Front if they need to be replaced look at the For the rear look for a set of springs from a later model Ranger if they need replacing.

Shocks, stick with stock 2wd Ranger length. Can't advise on a particular brand.

What else should I do or am I missing. I am still teaching myself how to do these things and learning new things every day.

check your coil springs insulators while you have everything apart. If they are worn out, a new pair might quieten some of the spring noise. It's a rubber pad between the coil spring and it's lower mount.

I have noticed I also need body mounts? Anyone recommend the cheapest option for this. I mean I have only looked at 3 body mounts so far, it looks like someone loosened them, but I doubt it. Amazing what old age, rust, and abuse can do to a vehicle. The body mounts are "floating" I can wiggle them around and pull them up and down a good 1"-3". The bolts are all rusted out.

Might have an issue beyond the bushings, check out the frame mounts. Considering the other rust on your truck those metal brackets on the frame may be rusted out as well. If the mounts are rusted through new bushings are a waste of time until they are fixed. It definitely sounds like they may be gone.

Can someone help me find some of these parts cheap? Autozone, eBay? Part #s? I wish in the Tech Articles we could have some indepth charts with compatible parts. Unless I'm blind and missed it. I have been doing a bit of reading. New to the Ranger world/scene

Use sales and discount codes. Advance always has a speed perks discount. Use it, not only will you get the percentage discount, you'll also get store credit against a future purchase. If you are willing to shop online look at RockAuto (usually a 5% discount code in the vender section of this site) and Amazon as well, sometimes you can find a better price there. I'd personally avoid Ebay, buy an listing that shows a good brand part # and receive a low quality part that uses same part number. Also google part numbers, might turn up a better price from a reputible online parts dealer.

More pics soon. Those pics are the Craigslist Pics before i bought it.

 

[JoshT]

[ bUmP ]

What brand of wheel bearings are good?

Personally I only buy Timken if available. National is usually my second choice. I understand SKF to be good as well.