Shock replacement???

[Rangerslug99]

I have had my ranger going on 8 years now. it has 130,000mi and has been drove mostly city streets with the occasional off road.

My truck is bouncing like crazy, more so than normal, and has seemed to be getting gradually worse after i go over a bump or rough road. I want to get some new shocks, but i am not quite sure what to get. The wife has been nagging me about the "rough ride" my truck has. SO, i figure it may be time to replace these things.

About 3 years ago, i had a front end alignment done my truck, the mechanic said he could only adjust so far and needed a kit to get anymore adjustment. Been too long and i cant remember exactly which adjustment he was referring too (camber, caster, or toe.) I had him adjust as far as he could and leave it. I was having wear on just the inside of my tires is why i had it aligned. My tire wear in the past 1 1/2 years has been even.

having said all that, is there anything else i should look at or check when i replace my shocks? I am planning on replacing all of them.

Thanks.
Rangerslug


1999 Ford Ranger Sport Ext.Cab
2.5L 4 CYL, 5-speed, 2wd.

 

[fordboi415]

Front end bushings are what I would be checking, I would steer clear of offroad shocks if your getting complaints about a stiff ride hahaha your gunna want to get a shock that has softer valving

 

[Rangerslug99]

I was going to go with some bilsteins and try them out. I have heard and read too many bad things about monroe shocks.

I was looking in the chilton manual and it says that the 99 rangers have torsion bars. Well, i have a 99 ranger ext.cab 2WD and i do not have torsion bars. i have a coil spring with a shock in the middle of it. any insights??? I think chilton didnt clarify some point.

 

[fordboi415]

Well to be honest I would check out ranchos shocks, they have some that are adjustable and that might be what your looking for as far as a more comfortable ride and as for coils spring suspension its not going to make a difference as to the type of shock, as for the length just tell the company your buying them from what type of suspension you have and they will hook you up

 

[Rangerslug99]

i compared the rancho shocks also. I am liking the RSX series for what i am wanting and also the price. Thanks fordboi.

 

[MikeInIdaho]

Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that Rancho, Pro Comp and other shocks are all made by Monroe. I'm looking to get some new shocks for my 2wd b2300 and am probably going to go with either KYB gas-a-justs or bilstein HD's. I know that Bilstein has a phenomenal reputation for great products that's not just limited to the offroad world, but I've also heard that the HD's ride pretty stiff, especially on lighter rigs. I've used KYB in the past and like the ride very much, good balance between performance and value. Just my .02

 

[cajunman87]

go with the Bilstien. just changed mine they are worth it.

 

[spottieottie]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and I searched for information on the FRONT CASTER BUSHINGS the ones that go over the upper ball joint and aid in changing the front caster of the truck. This is for a 1988 2WD Ranger XLT, I put new tires and shocks and everything on it and noticed that the alignment didn't change anything. The manager said that anymore adjustment to the caster would require these different sized bushings. Is there a need to pursue doing this, he said it was probably about a 1* or something close and I needed like a 1.5" or 1.75" size bushings at like $55 a piece. I know that this will help but is it necessary, I am just trying to be cost efficient and going over the whole truck for a road trip of 2,000 miles. If it is necessary I will get them and install them and they said that they would re-align it for free. Thank you very much for all of your time.

Pleasure to be here

Brad

 

[coffee]

I like my KYB's. They still give a "firm" ride but handle well so far. I'll know more when I put my 4.10 8.8 rear end and sawybar in.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

spottieottie, to clarify your question you will need to get the bushings to correct your camber if you dont want uneven tire wear. one degree doesnt sound like much but over a years time you will be able to look at your tires and see why it was important.

 

[basketranger]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and I searched for information on the FRONT CASTER BUSHINGS the ones that go over the upper ball joint and aid in changing the front caster of the truck. This is for a 1988 2WD Ranger XLT, I put new tires and shocks and everything on it and noticed that the alignment didn't change anything. The manager said that anymore adjustment to the caster would require these different sized bushings. Is there a need to pursue doing this, he said it was probably about a 1* or something close and I needed like a 1.5" or 1.75" size bushings at like $55 a piece. I know that this will help but is it necessary, I am just trying to be cost efficient and going over the whole truck for a road trip of 2,000 miles. If it is necessary I will get them and install them and they said that they would re-align it for free. Thank you very much for all of your time.

Pleasure to be here

Brad

absolutely get the caster/camber kits, but go to napa i picked up both sides for $26. and some change.