Stiffer Suspension for a Bigger Engine

[I am me]

I'm in the process of installing a Mercedes OM617 engine in my '86 Ranger, and because it's a much heavier engine I was thinking of putting F150 coils up front. This would also, hopefully, give me a little lift. I've got a spare engine that I'm going to trade/sell to a guy who has an F150 and a Ranger, both parts vehicles, and so I could get the parts I need. The shocks on my ranger are falling apart so question is, should I get the shocks and springs from the F150 or just the springs and the shocks from the Ranger. I dont mind a stiff ride and would like a dew inchea of lift as it will make the engine fit better.

 

[4x4junkie]

F-150 springs believe it or not are not that much stiffer.

Is your truck a regular cab by chance? If so, you might be able to simply swap to coil springs from a Supercab truck, as a SC truck is about 300lbs heavier on the front axle than a reg cab (and should support the weight of a small diesel no problem in a reg cab). If you already have a Supercab, then your best option is probably to simply boost your stock coils a bit with a few washers under the lower spring seats to compensate for the weight.

Some info here on using washers:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/WasherCoilSpacers.shtml

 

[I am me]

Wow that is surprising. Are they taller? I was basing things off of this:http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2003/F-150_coils_for_your_V8_BII_or_Ranger.htm I've got a super cab, to bad.
The suspension on my truck is shot so would it be worth using the F150 springs and shocks seeing as I have to replace them anyway?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Here is a page on calculating coil spring rate;
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/coilspringrate.shtml

Personally I would try them as all you would lose is some time. I used coils from a 351m f150 in my race truck. IIRC I ended up cutting 1 1/2 coils off to bring the height back to stock. Cutting the coils makes the spring shorter thus a higher ppi spring.

 

[I am me]

Ok I'll get the springs, think it's worth getting the shocks to? If it isn't a ton of work to make them fit i'd do that because the ones on my truck need replacing