traildog
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2019
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 11
- Points
- 3
- Location
- Missoula, Montana
- Vehicle Year
- 02
- Make / Model
- Ranger FX4
- Engine Type
- 4.0 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- My credo
- 42
Hello,
Just upgraded my clapped out '02 2wd 2.3L Ranger to an '02 4wd 4.0L Ranger with 110xxx miles. The one I picked up has both the offroad package and the tow package- it's got the torsion bar front suspension, there's no rear sway bar, and the shocks are stock Motorcraft. I'm not an off-roader by hobby so much, but I spend a ton of time driving dirt roads in the mountains for work (trails planning/design). It's obviously a massive improvement over my old one in most ways, but frankly it's rattling my teeth out on anything rough or potholed. It has very firm handling on the highway, so the shocks must be stiff, though using shocks instead of a sway bar to achieve that seems a little misguided (i believe shock tuning for low speed compression involves more compromise than adding inherent stability through a sway bar). I'm hoping someone here can give me an idea of the various options these trucks came with and where I might start in trying to make it ride smoother. But basically the question is, shocks, springs, or both?
Few Q's:
Does the tow package mean stiffer torsion bars as well as leaf springs? I'm imagining that the 4.0 engine got stiffer torsion bars cause it's heavier, but is the tow version even stiffer yet? AFAIK it's at the factory ride height.
Which shocks are the best for smooth ride? Ain't trying to race on the highway and when I do tow it's just around town. I seem to remember something about Rancho shocks being softer than Bilsteins etc. What about KYB?
Can one just remove a leaf from the rear, or would the whole assembly need to be replaced?
Would appreciate any and all feedback. Cheers!
Just upgraded my clapped out '02 2wd 2.3L Ranger to an '02 4wd 4.0L Ranger with 110xxx miles. The one I picked up has both the offroad package and the tow package- it's got the torsion bar front suspension, there's no rear sway bar, and the shocks are stock Motorcraft. I'm not an off-roader by hobby so much, but I spend a ton of time driving dirt roads in the mountains for work (trails planning/design). It's obviously a massive improvement over my old one in most ways, but frankly it's rattling my teeth out on anything rough or potholed. It has very firm handling on the highway, so the shocks must be stiff, though using shocks instead of a sway bar to achieve that seems a little misguided (i believe shock tuning for low speed compression involves more compromise than adding inherent stability through a sway bar). I'm hoping someone here can give me an idea of the various options these trucks came with and where I might start in trying to make it ride smoother. But basically the question is, shocks, springs, or both?
Few Q's:
Does the tow package mean stiffer torsion bars as well as leaf springs? I'm imagining that the 4.0 engine got stiffer torsion bars cause it's heavier, but is the tow version even stiffer yet? AFAIK it's at the factory ride height.
Which shocks are the best for smooth ride? Ain't trying to race on the highway and when I do tow it's just around town. I seem to remember something about Rancho shocks being softer than Bilsteins etc. What about KYB?
Can one just remove a leaf from the rear, or would the whole assembly need to be replaced?
Would appreciate any and all feedback. Cheers!