Suspension Modifications

[NMC_EXP]

You all are well advised to think twice before spending a lot of money and time doing a big suspension lift and what not on a what is a decent pickup truck from the factory. A Bro- Doozer Ranger just grinds my guts. Plus, big suspension mods equal big headaches down the line.

Perfect from the factory? - No.

Better by shade tree engineering? - Not even maybe for 99% of the population. Not to say some pros have set them up to handle the Rubicon or whatever, but few of us can do that.

Reason for this post is I might to like to buy an another unmodified OHV Ranger some time in the future.

Leave them alone...they work just fine.

Jim

 

[DRanger024]

No

 

[bobbywalter]

short bed reg cab with 4.0 and a manual trans......maybe.... depends on terrain bias.


extended cab......technically.....they definitely need work. whether you sawzall the fenders out to fit 35 in tires or mod the suspension to allow for it.....you need the clearance or

just stay in your car

 

[Curious Hound]

You all are well advised to think twice before spending a lot of money and time doing a big suspension lift and what not on a what is a decent pickup truck from the factory. A Bro- Doozer Ranger just grinds my guts. Plus, big suspension mods equal big headaches down the line.

Perfect from the factory? - No.

Better by shade tree engineering? - Not even maybe for 99% of the population. Not to say some pros have set them up to handle the Rubicon or whatever, but few of us can do that.

Reason for this post is I might to like to buy an another unmodified OHV Ranger some time in the future.

Leave them alone...they work just fine.

Jim

Advice taken. Thank you.

I believe your "99%" estimate is quite an exaggeration. But I (as I believe you, also) do not have hard data to work with on that. So, it's not worth arguing. There are more than enough Rangers to go around so that you can have stock unmodified and the rest of us can have fun. We are all individual with different tastes and preferences, different skills and different bank accounts. There will always be a variety and thats what makes the world interesting.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Snoranger]

I’ve never owned a Ranger that I didn’t modify. I’ve had lifted ones, lowered ones, solid axle swapped, slammed on airbags, etc. Even my ‘23 Ranger got new bumpers, a roof rack, and a tune within the first week or 2 of owning it. It will get a lift in the future… I may even build it myself, but I have the knowledge and experience of working in a chassis shop.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I believe your "99%" estimate is quite an exaggeration.

General population... probably not that big of an exaggeration for setting up an aftermarket suspension. I suspect most struggle to change the batteries in their tv remote let alone anything where they might actually get dirty.

My truck isn't super tall, suspension is actually about the same height as factory with the topper on it. However nothing between the frame and oversize tires is factory original to the truck (wheels included)

 

[pjtoledo]

in the true spirit of american hot rodding,

give me something, anything, and get outta da way for I've some creative wrenchin' to do.

iffin it don't come out right,,,,that's great 'cause then I get to do more wrenchin'

 

[tw205]

You want whatever it is you want. Have fun and enjoy. I want what I want and will continue to pursue my endeavors. I’m thinking of lifting all the RBVs I have , selling them and buying all new stock to lift again. Slowly I’ll convert the planet to a lifted society. Free of squatty little puddle splashers. Now it’s off to my lab to engineer some poor quality do dads for my monster truck.
TW out.
Edit. Merry Christmas and all that.

 

[Lefty]

I drove the same unmodified truck for 24 years. It did most things well. Then again, it was pretty boring, certainly not fun. Some of us prefer to play or just ask the truck to do more, especially towing or hauling heavier loads. Lifted suspensions are great for off road work. Others may want a sports truck: fast and light and fun to drive, especially if lowered a little or a lot.

This time around, I've wanted more, a little more of everything. My 2003 is a Ford Edge. I put larger tires on for safety reasons. Also I live in the snow belt. I don't want to get stuck. I lowered it an inch to improve the handling, also added a front sway bar. I put uprated Monroe shocks in front and got a little better ride. I dare say these modifications improve handling and traction, and while all pickups tend to plow through corners, this one handles better than many sedans. I put James Duff traction bars on the back which help when taking turns under hard acceleration. They also made the shifts feel clean and smooth.

The reasons for the upgrades are important. It is less likely to flip, and brakes better without swerving, keeping me in greater control. Besides, now it is fun to drive.

These days it seems everybody wants a lifted truck with great big tires and wheels. That's great for off road, but not always the best for the street. A few like that Truxarosa look. Sure fine, I guess. The joy of owning a truck is that the suspension is easily modified.

 

[sgtsandman]

I drove the same unmodified truck for 24 years. It did most things well. Then again, it was pretty boring, certainly not fun. Some of us prefer to play or just ask the truck to do more, especially towing or hauling heavier loads. Lifted suspensions are great for off road work. Others may want a sports truck: fast and light and fun to drive, especially if lowered a little or a lot.

This time around, I've wanted more, a little more of everything. My 2003 is a Ford Edge. I put larger tires on for safety reasons. Also I live in the snow belt. I don't want to get stuck. I lowered it an inch to improve the handling, also added a front sway bar. I put uprated Monroe shocks in front and got a little better ride. I dare say these modifications improve handling and traction, and while all pickups tend to plow through corners, this one handles better than many sedans. I put James Duff traction bars on the back which help when taking turns under hard acceleration. They also made the shifts feel clean and smooth.

The reasons for the upgrades are important. It is less likely to flip, and brakes better without swerving, keeping me in greater control. Besides, now it is fun to drive.

These days it seems everybody wants a lifted truck with great big tires and wheels. That's great for off road, but not always the best for the street. A few like that Truxarosa look. Sure fine, I guess. The joy of owning a truck is that the suspension is easily modified.

I prefer something in between. I want to off road but I have to drive it on road and on long trips fairly often. So, compromises to meet the missions have to be made.

 

[Lefty]

I prefer something in between. I want to off road but I have to drive it on road and on long trips fairly often. So, compromises to meet the missions have to be made.

And that's the beauty of a pickup. We can make them fit our needs.

 

[DRanger024]

Mine is really just something to mess around with at this point. I don’t have to drive it anywhere if I don’t want to. With that being said, it’s been unmodified for approximately 3 months out of the MANY years I’ve owned it.

 

[Lefty]

Mine is really just something to mess around with at this point. I don’t have to drive it anywhere if I don’t want to. With that being said, it’s been unmodified for approximately 3 months out of the MANY years I’ve owned it.

You did more than just the suspension...lots more!

 

[JohnnyO]

1998-2011 Rangers are difficult and expensive to lift.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

1998-2011 Rangers are difficult and expensive to lift.

Cheap/easy to lift a little, expensive to lift a lot.