Ranger Super Cab "XL", 2010, low in rear.....

Dantforth · #1 08-01-2010, 12:44 PM

I love the truck. It is a 2.3 with 5 speed, air and cruise. I thought my eyes were deceiving me but I just checked it on a level surface and it is lower in the rear than the front. I measured the rocker panels and the rear is 1/2 inch lower. It just looks a little odd and I would rather have it the other way around. It is a 2X4 so it has coils in front. In winter I will be putting 4 -500 pounds in the box for weight on the rear tires and it will look even worse. Is there an aftermarket fix for this? Does anyone else with a similar truck have this problem?

STL · #2 08-01-2010, 01:11 PM

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BEL-6400/

Dantforth · #3 08-01-2010, 01:19 PM

STL, I went to the page you gave me and it was for lowering the rear. I would need to somehow raise the rear a bit. In the past I have had the rear springs disassembled and re-arched but never on a new truck!

FoMoCo · #4 08-01-2010, 01:22 PM

easy way to lift the rear is to do the chevy drop shackle mod to the rear, it will lift ya 1-2" in the rear

STL · #5 08-01-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantforth

STL, I went to the page you gave me and it was for lowering the rear. I would need to somehow raise the rear a bit. In the past I have had the rear springs disassembled and re-arched but never on a new truck!

Ya if you had a chevy it would lower the rear. opposite for the ford.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoMoCo

easy way to lift the rear is to do the chevy drop shackle mod to the rear, it will lift ya 1-2" in the rear

Thats what I linked to him in my first post.

STL · #6 08-01-2010, 03:49 PM

here is one installed

Shackle and torsion bar crank with prekey mod

Level

Dantforth · #7 08-02-2010, 04:56 AM

Thanks STL. This certainly would solve the height problem but would not address the spring rate in the rear. Possibly a combo of this fix and also a set of additional "helper" springs. I saw a set of add-on springs on one of the truck sites so will go looking for it today. I'll post what I find. Dave

Redneckstone · #8 08-02-2010, 10:40 AM

go back to summit and you want an Add-a-leaf then. it will if it and make it ride stiffer

Dantforth · #9 08-03-2010, 04:49 AM

"Add a leaf" at Summitt. I went to their site to look. It says "don't use with composite springs". I take it that my Ranger does not have composite springs? Does anyone have these and how do they affect ride? Dave

Dantforth · #10 08-14-2010, 05:12 AM

Back again. I was over to the Ford dealer yesterday, Revell Ford in Verona Ontario. He has another new Ranger in stock which is exactly like mine. I went to the back with my slaesperson, Dan Gibbs. We measured both from ground to the top of the fender openings front and back. Mine is not only 1 1/2" lower in the back but is also almost 2" higher in the front. The only addition I have made is a "Bakflip" tonneau cover. Could the weight of that cover be causing this? I think not and "if" it does it shouldn't. What is going to happen when I add 400 - 500 pounds to the rear for the winter?? Is the "add a leaf" going to solve this? I believe that Ford should make it right but no mention was made of that by my salesperson. Dave

ranger5572 · #11 08-14-2010, 09:13 AM

You could always go with a heavy duty shock on the rear. I did it to my little '90 Ranger. The thing rode like a log truck but was much stiffer than the shocks I took off and didn't sag too much even with 2-3 buddies sitting on the tail gate.

Dantforth · #12 08-15-2010, 04:59 AM

It has been suggested here that I go to "Summit Racing" and get an add-a-leaf kit. Well, I go to their site and upon checking the application it does not list a 2010 Ranger. I think that it stops at 2002. Am I doing something worng?

Dantforth · #13 11-15-2010, 04:33 AM

Well, finally I made a decision. I ordered the full length add a leaf from General Spring. My local shop wanted $400.00 plus taxes to add a leaf. I will get these for less than $200.00 when all is said and done. My mechanic says the install will be easy. I will post photos when I am finished. They had three different weights of springs and I took the lowest one which will add 500 pounds carrying capacity. Dave

Dantforth · #14 11-23-2010, 04:58 PM

The add a leaf from General Spring arrived today. For those Canadians who may be interested the cost was $109.99 for the parts, shipping $40.64, taxes (good old Canada) $19.71 and brokerage fee $39.10 (I even paid taxes on the brokerage fee). Total is about $215.00 when the exchange rate is factored in. So, by the time I got them here the price was doubled!! This is still much cheaper than the $405.00 plus taxes I was quoted at my local shop. They come with center bolts and a couple of brackets which look like they keep the spring bundle in line. I will have them installe by the end of the week and will take before and after measurements and photos so I can report here. "IF" I was able to order them and have them shipped to me by USPS I could eliminate the brokerage fee or if I had them shipped to a forwarding house across the border where I could pick them up and bring them back myself likewise. Next time! Dave...PS- I had a friend suggest that Ford should have fixed the problem because the truck is under warranty. Does anyone here have any thoughts on that point?

Dantforth · #15 12-02-2010, 10:15 AM

Well, the springs went in today. It took us an hour for each side. I can't believe it's the same truck! The first thing I noticed when I drove away was that the rear view mirror, which had been adjusted to its maximum, now had to be adjusted slightly the other way. I had it fully adjusted (I'm tall) I still had to dip my head to see any further back than the space right behind my truck but no longer! The front fender wells had been 1 1/2 inches higher off of the ground than the rears and the truck always felt "mushy" like a cars suspension and with any weight in the rear it was a problem. Now the rear is 34 inches from ground to top of fender well and the front is 31 1/2 inches. The truck just looks better and feels one hundred times better on the road. Very solid ride. I will try my ATV in it later but I will be surprised if the truck will sit low even then.
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