New Coil spring Questions

[v-8power]

I am going to buy new springs for my 1984 ranger. My question is, should i get variable rate or straight rate springs?

I have a 302 in the ranger now but it had the 4cly. I would like for it to handle a little better if i could. Thanks for any info, Brian

 

[v-8power]

Turns out these are hard to find in any local store. I guess i will end up ordering them from rockauto

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have no personal experience yet, but the rock crawlers seem to like straight rate and the pre-runners variable rate coil overs. I ordered variable rate regular springs for my short course race truck but haven't received them yet. I also have linear rate regular springs, not installed yet either. These springs are for '78-'79 F.S.Bronco. I'm hoping to get 3-4" lift It'll be 2-3 months before I get around to it. I'm interested in others experiences as well. My thinking is the variable rate will absorb the washboard bumps as well as big jumps, We'll see
Richard

 

[v-8power]

Turns out i have to order these springs. It might be a month now before i get around to putting them on, unless i take the weekend off work.

 

[doorgunner]

simplified definitions....

variable rate springs absorb all the little highway bumps/small potholes & are used on stuff thatneeds to ride smooth--like my Harley cruiser or a car......

constant rate springs are for jumping stuff/crawling in & outta holes

there are probably lots of hybrid springs out there which are a compromise.....

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have no personal experience yet, but the rock crawlers seem to like straight rate and the pre-runners variable rate coil overs. I ordered variable rate regular springs for my short course race truck but haven't received them yet. I also have linear rate regular springs, not installed yet either. These springs are for '78-'79 F.S.Bronco. I'm hoping to get 3-4" lift It'll be 2-3 months before I get around to it. I'm interested in others experiences as well. My thinking is the variable rate will absorb the washboard bumps as well as big jumps, We'll see
Richard

V-8 power- You should think more about your swaybars for cornering with the heavier front end. If that's what you're doing.

Top; '91 stx ranger w/4.0l .901" dia.
Mid; '85 b-II w/2.8l .989" dia.
Bot. "87 stx ranger w/2.9l 1.156" dia.

Doorgunner- that's kinda what I thought, I'm hoping with the right shocks the variable rate will take the jumps as well as the whoops at speed. If not I have linear rate springs to use.Forgot to mention these springs are going into my '91 ranger short course off road race truck. The load rate is approximately the same, the spring rate is 271 ppi compared to 430 ppi for the stock spring, plus 4" longer.
Richard

 

[v-8power]

Cool Thanks. I have a good sway bar off my 83 i can use. The 84 does not have one. I dont know if someone took it off or it didnt come with one.