My 93 4x4 is very rough ride. I have old Rancho 5000 adjustable shocks on it. I am not sure if they are shot or if the coil springs need to be replaced or what is up. Not sure how to check the current shocks to see if they are the problem.

Does anyone have suggestions for suspension improvement? I had bilstein shocks on it way back and they produced a rough ride as well. I poked around the forums and did not see a similar thread. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

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1993 XLT, 4.0 L, 5 spd, 4X4, 31x10.5, 3" lift

Someone out there in Ranger land must have some suggestions.. anyone?

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1993 XLT, 4.0 L, 5 spd, 4X4, 31x10.5, 3" lift

You signature says you have a 3" lift, what type of lift?

An easy way to test shocks is to push down on the truck and let the suspension rebound. If it rebounds quickly and bounces a few times, then it's a good indication that the shocks are bad. If the truck rebounds a little slower/controlled and doesn't bounce/bounces very little, then odds are your shocks are fine.

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I find that to be inaccurate in real world to be honest due to so many variables in peoples car ESPECIALLY in modified suspensions whether lowered or lifted. Almost makes me think 1970's Used car salesman tactic to sell a car based upon a false sense of security that the vehicle is solid and sound..

Thinking about the fact that the shock itself is used to control the spring rate of the car, if the spring is a progressive rate spring where the sring generates more lbs per sq in the more its compressed, You could be replacing struts with less than 5 or 10k on them and not realize it. For as easy as it is to unbolt a shock front or back its much better to pull a shock, compress it by hand if possible or lean on it on a bench or the porch if necessary and see how it reacts.

If it doesnt rebound at all or you find leaks around the cylinder obviously its a bad unit. If its reaction is fairly quick the shock should be in decent shape to good. Keep in mind, average shocks from the factory are meant to last between 25,000-28,000 miles and be replaced. Even your maintenance schedule tells you 22-25K and I'm sure its because they want you in more often to make money or just if they're a good dealership thats honest, more preventative maintenance.

Even high performance Struts and shocks dont sometimes even last that long.. Ive yet to see anyone get 125k on HKS, Tein, KYB AGX or equivalent let alone 45-55K without having failures or issues both on the track and the street...

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As for your rough ride, its attributed to a couple things. One If you have a 3" lift on that twin beam suspension setup your radius arms are too short for anything over 1.5"-2" in all honesty. Because of that T-rex action of the radius arms I call it and a shock that's TOO STIFF your ride suffers. Most aftermarket companies offer softer shocks for the purpose of off road use. Some of your beer brands which I just mentioned this in another thread; like Fox, Bilstein, King offer ones that allow you to adjust the rebound for use on/off road uses. My 93 sucks on corrugated roads with 33 Dynapro MT's and a 2" lift and Im quite confident on any trail or water crossing with exception to sand.. something about sand and I not getting along yet..

Other variables could be incorrect pressure of tires based upon the type of tire you're using and or the conditions. Another could be actual speed on a trail. Ive seen it where some people think their vehicles are offroad ready and they go ripping down a simple fire road and learn quickly that offroading isnt about doing 65MPH on a two track dirt road or fire trail.

If thats what your after, then mid or long travel guys that desert race will probably have some better advice for you.

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Run the tire pressure Ford specifies on the door jamb. Overfilling LT tires is common on this forum.....fill the tires to manufacturers specs and see how that works.

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That generally only applies to stock sized tires specified on that sticker.

My 33's are quite different from the stock 205/70/14 in every aspect from size to capabilities and includes MPG.

My DynaPro MT's are 10ply LT tires and have a max inflation of 80PSI cold, I run them at 48 frt and 54-55 rear; mostly due to the fact with the gear I keep on board at all times, I can still manage to net 19-21mpg if I drive it right local and hwy, no off road. The typical guy rolls his shoes in and or around 34psi, if I do that I'm barely getting 14mpg, at all the wrong times it seems and that's a huge dent in my wallet.

So although I would have to agree with you if you're running stock sizes, I think that there are several variables outside of that to consider. And Yes Sir, I do realize you did say.."start from there".. I wasnt debating as much as adding

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My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support