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  #1  
Old 08-20-2018, 10:27 AM
ldsharp ldsharp is offline
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Default Need advice on shocks

I have a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT 4L with 4WD and the factory Off-Road package. It has a torsion bar in front and 3/1 leaf springs in the back. It's got about 82k miles and I'm assuming the factory shocks.

When I got it, it had 15" wheels/tires and the speedometer read high by by 10% or so. When I replaced the tires I opted for 245 (around 30.5") tall which fixed the speedo problem and was the right height for the off-road package.

This thing rides really rough on city streets with a little vertical jiggle with every little road imperfection and I would like a softer shock. I primarily drive this truck to tow a 3500 lb camper with a 400 lb tongue weight. I'm looking for a comfortable drive on the highway primarily and have a weight distribution hitch but it adds another 100 lbs.

I need shocks and after reading most of the pertinent posts here will choose a monotube by bilstein ($320), kyb ($150), gabriel ($225), monroe ($160) or rancho ($215). I've thought about adjustable gas or w/ helper springs for the trailer load, but hoping that a good set of monotube shocks will handle what I need.

This truck sits pretty high and I'm not sure about the shock length.

As it sits in the driveway, I measure the installed rear shocks at about 22". The brands above (but can't find the data on the bilstein) show the rear shocks to be around 26" extended and 16" compressed so that looks right to me.

I measure the front at about 19" from the bottom to the tip of the threaded shaft. The specs on the above shocks show 18" extended and about 13.5 compressed. So either that shaft length is not part of the measurement or I'm looking at the wrong model ranger since "Off-Road" is not a package recognized by any of the parts houses.

I would appreciate any advice or input prior to buying a set of shocks!
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  #2  
Old 08-20-2018, 01:32 PM
ldsharp ldsharp is offline
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Default Re: Need advice on shocks

Yep, it's a supercab also.

Here's the vin
1FTZR15E91PA28430

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date on door tag is 10/00
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  #3  
Old 08-20-2018, 02:20 PM
ldsharp ldsharp is offline
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Default Re: Need advice on shocks

Thanks!
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  #4  
Old 09-20-2018, 12:50 PM
rangergambler rangergambler is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by djfllmn View Post
you have an early build 01, parts are no longer offered by ford BUT here is the last known part number

YL5Z 18124-AA
How many years back does ford stop making replacement parts for a vehicle?
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Old 09-20-2018, 01:10 PM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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Default Re: Need advice on shocks

There's no answer to that question because one part can be used on several different models spanning decades. Part numbers are based on when the part was originally designed, what it was originally designed for, what department designed it and how many times the part has been updated. I can still buy some parts for my 65 mustang at the dealer and some parts for my 2009 ranger are discontinued.

Also depends if ford ever even made the part at all. Ford doesn't make shocks, they have them made and put their part number on them. Motorcraft brand shocks are usually made by either kyb or monroe. Ford could say they are discontinued but you can still buy the same shock under the actual manufacturers brand.

Last edited by Dirtman; 09-20-2018 at 01:28 PM.
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Old 09-20-2018, 06:49 PM
Undrstm8ed Undrstm8ed is offline
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Default Re: Need advice on shocks

Quote:
Originally Posted by rangergambler View Post
How many years back does ford stop making replacement parts for a vehicle?
Ford used to do 7 years.. However, ask any 93-97 Probe Gt owner about that as well as many other Ford NON-Crutch vehicle owners [sans Mustang, F-series..ect].

i.g. A close friend of mine owned a 97 Probe GT, needed to replace the rear sway bar as it snapped; Ford stopped making the part in mid 95'... it was 1999.
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