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  #1  
Old 09-13-2018, 09:31 AM
abear abear is offline
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Post Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

Hello All!

I have a 2000 Ranger 3.0 V6 2wd with Coil Suspension and 167k on the odometer.
After putting off maintenance to my suspension for years due to finances/living situation, I have finally decided to start planning a full rebuild on the front suspension on my truck. I have probably 50k miles on the upper control arms/ball joints and shocks. I have also replaced the sway bar end links, though I don't remember how long ago. Likely 30k or so. Too my knowledge, everything else is original excluding the lower ball joints which were replaced by the original owner sometime between 50-60k miles. The truck rides very rough, all the bushing are dry-rotting, and I can feel the smallest cracks or bumps on any road.
I consider myself fairly mechanically inclined as I have done quite a bit of work on my truck, but this would be the largest project I have ever attempted to do on my truck. I just wanted to get some advise from anyone else who might have previously done this before and has a good idea of things to look out for. My current plans is to replace the following: Lower control arms(including bushings and ball joints), upper control arms/ball joints, cam/caster bolts, shocks, coil springs, inner/outer tire rod ends, and sway bar end links.
Anyone have any advise on other things I should look at or consider doing while I'm down there and have everything torn apart. I don't plan on messing with brakes as those were replaces recently.

Any info is greatly appreciated!
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  #2  
Old 09-13-2018, 10:17 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

sounds like fun!
just curious, why are you replacing the springs? and are you actually replacing the whole LCA?
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Old 09-13-2018, 10:42 AM
abear abear is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

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Originally Posted by RoberticusMaximus View Post
sounds like fun!
just curious, why are you replacing the springs? and are you actually replacing the whole LCA?
To answer the second questions, yes. It is much cheaper and by my guess easier to replace the whole unit with the ball joint and bushings already pressed in.
As far as the springs go, I know there is some debate as to whether those need to be replaced or not. But I figured since I am already planning on completely removing them to replace the lower control arm, I might as well spend the extra $80 and get a new set.
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Old 09-13-2018, 10:59 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

A slight word of caution on replacing the springs. Ford put several different coil springs in depending on the trucks setup. For example a short bed, regular cab, 2.3 liter has softer springs than a long bed extended cab 4.0.

However aftermarket companies can get lazy and just sell one generic spring for all models. Avoid these because they usually ride like bricks. Get the proper spring rate for your exact model.
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Old 09-19-2018, 08:41 AM
abear abear is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

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Originally Posted by Dirtman View Post
A slight word of caution on replacing the springs. Ford put several different coil springs in depending on the trucks setup. For example a short bed, regular cab, 2.3 liter has softer springs than a long bed extended cab 4.0.

However aftermarket companies can get lazy and just sell one generic spring for all models. Avoid these because they usually ride like bricks. Get the proper spring rate for your exact model.
Thanks for the info. The Spring Code off the Door Sticker is "DK" for my truck which I matched with Moog part #80660. I know Moog probably isn't the greatest of brands, but its affordable and I assume better than the no-name brands.
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Old 09-19-2018, 09:49 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

Quote:
Originally Posted by abear View Post
Thanks for the info. The Spring Code off the Door Sticker is "DK" for my truck which I matched with Moog part #80660. I know Moog probably isn't the greatest of brands, but its affordable and I assume better than the no-name brands.
i've done well with Moog for my ranger's ball joints & bushings and such. But they sure get a bad rap on other vehicles, or at least on other forums lol
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Old 09-19-2018, 11:42 AM
VelociRanger VelociRanger is offline
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Default Re: Advise for Rebuilding Front Suspension 2000 2wd

Quote:
Originally Posted by abear View Post
Thanks for the info. The Spring Code off the Door Sticker is "DK" for my truck which I matched with Moog part #80660. I know Moog probably isn't the greatest of brands, but its affordable and I assume better than the no-name brands.

Where would I find the spring code?
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