Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 02-12-2020, 03:16 PM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default rough riding ranger

Can anyone help me with a rough riding 2wd 1989xlt,it rides like a tank,i've lowered air pressure in the tires to 30 psi and its still bad?
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-15-2020, 09:53 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,181
Default Re: rough riding ranger

You already asked that question, you must be bored again.

rough riding 1989 ford ranger xlt
__________________

Last edited by dvrich; 02-15-2020 at 09:56 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-15-2020, 03:06 PM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

First of all i like your sense of humour,but something more constructive would be better.
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-16-2020, 07:06 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,181
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Replace all the shocks and install softer springs.
If your truck is riding like a small pickup should, then sell it and buy a crossover SUV.
If you are running LT tires then get rid of them, LT tires have no business being on a Ranger.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-16-2020, 08:06 AM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Thanks for all of that dvrich.You see a suv isn't an option for me or i would have one,a 1989 to 1992 ranger is the only option i have,it's a long story,but if you could tell me what are LT tires.
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-16-2020, 08:47 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,181
Default Re: rough riding ranger

LT stands for Light Truck tires. LT tires are for full size trucks that carry a lot of weight and they have a very stiff sidewall.

They rise like crap on a small truck because there is no flex.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-16-2020, 09:21 AM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Ok,that's a good bit of info that i didn't know,i'll be looking into that,thanks.
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-16-2020, 09:50 AM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

By the way dvrich what do you use on your ranger,in terms of what make size and etc,if you don't mind me asking?
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-17-2020, 10:56 AM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
ford dealer parts guy
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 20,938
Send a message via AIM to djfllmn
Default Re: rough riding ranger

its not the suspension or tires that have the biggest effect on ride. its the rangers short ass wheelbase is what really kills it. my ranger rode a lot worse than any of my F150s, one of the reasons why i traded that truck in.

you can change tires and springs/shocks BUT that will not have a large enough effect on the ride to be that noticeable, especially on really rough roads
__________________
2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

Last edited by djfllmn; 02-17-2020 at 10:59 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-18-2020, 07:33 AM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Thanks for that,i kind of figured all of that out myself,having experience with half tons,but again thanks.The problem with this one is that it is quite noticeable,i mean it will almost jar your back teeth it's that bad and i'am sure ford did not put them out the door like the way this one rides.I think dvrich is on to something with the lt tires thing,because i don't really remember the truck riding this rough when i first got it.I'am going to be looking into the tires issue.
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-18-2020, 09:58 AM
tboone99 tboone99 is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 3
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Check your frame and cab mounts
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-18-2020, 07:40 PM
Scrambler82 Scrambler82 is offline
The EDGE
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 182
Default Re: rough riding ranger

I have an '03 Ranger with Coil-Overs in front and 6" SkyJacker rear springs.
I had a really bad ride, turned out my rear shock were not only too short, one should have been longer than the other who knew.
I ran the gambit on tire pressure, different tires, different load ranges, you name it I tried it.
I finally took the truck to a Shop that did Suspension Work and it paid off !

After replacing the rear shocks with the proper length(s) and rebuilding the front shocks, all was well, in fact it rode almost better than I remember when the truck was newer.

What have you done to the suspension ?

Last edited by Scrambler82; 02-18-2020 at 07:47 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-19-2020, 06:03 AM
instrument tech instrument tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Default Re: rough riding ranger

Thanks for that Scrambler82,all i have done to it is to put a real good pair of shocks in the front,kyb's they were,it did nothing for it.I'am talking to someone at a goodyear tire place afterwards and they tell me,shocks are there to take out the bounce, springs are there to carry the load.It's not a bounce issue,it's a hard stiff ride issue,you'll hit the slightest pot hole and it's like Bang.It seems to me like the suspension is way to heavy for a light duty truck,but you would think Ford would know what they are doing.So i'am inclined to believe that problem might be the tires have to stiff of sidewall like dvrich talks about.Tboone99,the frame is quite good and the cab mounts i'am not sure about that,the cab itself is in good shape,i'am not sure what that would have to do with a rough ride?Thanks for all of your input.I'am going to look into what class of tires are on
it sometime soon.It seems to me a car tire might be better.
__________________
1996 ford ranger sxt ext. cab,4.0L ohv,4x4 mods:competition cam iam told,truck has 270,000 miles on it,but in very good condition from alabama,i am told drive train overhauled at 190,000
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
rough riding 1989 ford ranger xlt instrument tech Exterior Tech 12 06-26-2019 04:53 PM
Still Riding Rough rangersport7 Exhaust and Mufflers 1 10-06-2013 05:28 PM
Am I the only one who hates riding in my ranger? JRock Interior Tech 12 08-11-2012 07:14 PM
2003 3.0 Ranger - rough low idle (400 rpm), bogs at 2500K, rough shift, NOW FINE Chargerondavins 3.0 Vulcan Tech 1 03-26-2011 04:54 PM
Will a new wheel assembly kit fix a "wobble"/non- smooth riding 2002 Ford Ranger? beans General Tech 6 02-07-2010 11:46 AM