Payload Package #2

[treece keenes]

I have been researching ranger suspensions for a month and can't track down the mechanical difference between the 2003 payload package #1 and #2 suspensions. What would i have to do to add those extra 300lb or so to my package #1 long bed?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you seek heavier springs for your mini-RV:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ExplorerLeafs.htm

 

[JohnnyO]

The only difference was higher capacity rear springs.

 

[treece keenes]

"The only difference was higher capacity rear springs."

Thank You!

Sounds like i can just as easily increase payload up to that
ability with air lift bags?

And to make room for the drop down of a mini-RV between the frame i could get rid of the back shock?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And to make room for the drop down of a mini-RV between the frame i could get rid of the back shock?

No, you will want to have a shock at every corner, your ride will be very interesting if you take one out.

 

[treece keenes]

No, you will want to have a shock at every corner, your ride will be very interesting if you take one out.

Same if i take out both rear shocks? I guess i am assuming the shocks are something the air lift bags can replace? Mostly because of the odd arrangement of the back shocks. Now that i think about it maybe that is superior for controlling flex of the springs forward and backward (spring wrap?)

i sure apreciate your info - this will be the most mechanical project i have ever done and very excited about getting this old mini-RV shell from a 78 toyota pickup onto a new chassis.

 

[Will]

That's a great project. I'm thinking about doing that, but building the body.

A shock slows down the motion. It's a piston with little holes in it being drug through oil. It sucks up the bounce and jounce energy off of the road and turns it into heat. If you take them off, especially with a big box on the back, you could flop right over. I would double them. If they are in the way they are easy to move. Not being set up to weld is about the biggest mistake any handyman can make in life. If you are set up to weld, fab up some mounts that are not in the way. If you aren't, spend the $250 for a 200amp Lincoln or Hobart Stickmate and you can learn enough in a day to melt on adequate mounts.

 

[treece keenes]

That's a great project. I'm thinking about doing that, but building the body.

A shock slows down the motion. It's a piston with little holes in it being drug through oil. It sucks up the bounce and jounce energy off of the road and turns it into heat. If you take them off, especially with a big box on the back, you could flop right over. I would double them. If they are in the way they are easy to move. Not being set up to weld is about the biggest mistake any handyman can make in life. If you are set up to weld, fab up some mounts that are not in the way. If you aren't, spend the $250 for a 200amp Lincoln or Hobart Stickmate and you can learn enough in a day to melt on adequate mounts.

Thanks! very motivating post! It would be very tempting to move that shock to the front side of the axle while i have the bed off and before putting the fiberglass shell on. otherwise gotta shave a corner of that drop down floor. Easy enough to reroute the muffler on the other side.

I have to take 4 inches off the back of the long bed frame so i guess i could do that with the cheap welder too? i was going to combine a tow package with a cargo carrier to support that lower drop down floor but maybe i should just weld some hardware into place? maybe even remove the welded on hardware from the original '78 chasis to hold up that lower floor? I could do this with a borrowed welder or should i make friends with the welder down the road?

oh - by "fab up the mounts" do you mean weld hardware together and then weld to the frame and axle?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have to take 4 inches off the back of the long bed frame so i guess i could do that with the cheap welder too?

Welders fuse metal together, you will need a torch or a saw of some kind to cut the frame.

 

[treece keenes]

Welders fuse metal together, you will need a torch or a saw of some kind to cut the frame.

Thanks for the help and ideas guys! sounds like i should experiment for each weld run on each part of the weld jobs. if i want to go that route and do it my self - would be a good experience - but gotta be careful as i may weld on the air lift hardware to the frame and weld the rear shock mounts to the front of the axle

Will launch that next week when i get back to my rig - gonna have fun!