Why does my ranger ride SO bad on gravel

[Xandor]

I just got a 89 2.3 longbed, 3in body 4in suspension. Just put new shocks all around. I live on a gravel road and I swear my truck feels like its going to rattle apart. My road sorta washboards and If I go 25mph I just about loose control. I have to poke down my road, why? What should I be checking? I do know it doesnt have a front sway bar.

I will say this truck has been neglected, the kid I bought it off of knew NOTHING about trucks.

 

[06RangerXLT]

try tires.

 

[bcost882]

if the springs are really stiff on the lift with high pressure shocks and the load range is pretty high on the tires then you ahve set yourself up for a bumpy ride with the back you can change to more but thinner leaves and the front not sure about you could go with some softer shocks

 

[Xandor]

I did notice its much much better when theres weight in the bed.

 

[06RangerXLT]

I did notice its much much better when theres weight in the bed.

yea its just too tight of suspension and too light a vehicle. the lift probably doesnt help, but my truck is the same way, but mine ways in at 4500lbs.

 

[Bennybooster]

My truck rides like a prerunner on gravel, it actually handles really well so im guessing your problem is not enough weight and too stiff springs

 

[brother rat]

i've had this same problem with my 2.3L single cab short bed. Any washboarded road makes the vehicle very difficult to control. Weight in the back helps, but even the slightest bit of weight back there makes the mud flaps drag...

 

[master hec0]

i lose total control on gravel washboard the whole truck shakes and the back end kicks out and im only doing about 50kmph annoying as hell there was a 2010 ranger in front of me and his had no issues at all

 

[LittleHorse]

my brothers truck does that

But it's an F-250, so it's expected to be stiff as hell when unloaded.

 

[RustedRanger]

If it doesn't have a sway bar get one since you have new shocks. Not having one makes it much easier to loose control.

 

[Xandor]

If it doesn't have a sway bar get one since you have new shocks. Not having one makes it much easier to loose control.

Ya I waas thinking I could pull the one off my 89 BII parts truck

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have never seen anything that took a washboard well.

A swaybar would help obviously, but on gravel I usually cruise at about 45mph if it is in decent shape. Too much crap out there to hit that doesn't play fair if you pop over a hill and plow into it (like say a tractor)

 

[Xandor]

I could FLY down my road fast as I could with my 2wd 93. Loved that truck because I just raged on it all the time. Then my wife wrecked it. Yes ANOTHER truck. No more for her

 

[gman]

my truck does this to and its stock. every time i go on a graver road i think my trucks gonna die!

 

[Scotty J.]

Air down.