I have a 96 2wd 4.0 Manual. Has 130,000 miles. My question is what is the best aproach at reviving the front end suspension. It feels kinda wobbly, makes noise on the driver side when over bumps, steering kinda loose. If I was to tear it apart to replace everything with new, what parts could I salvage that do not wear out, if any. What should be on my parts list to get it to ride like almost new again. I dont like doing things half baked, so I want to do it right and can figure it out once I get into it as I have worked on some suspensions before, but not this type. I know some of you have done this allready on this vehicle and could rattle it of the tops of your head.

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1996 Ranger XLT V6 4.0 5 Speed Manual.

Please chime in on this one fellas, I am looking into the same thing...

IMHO shocks have a huge effect on the suspension...

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2006 Ford Ranger Sport 4.0 2WD on 32x11.50R15s
-3" Doetsch Spindle Lift


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Since it feels wobbly, you might be looking at ball joints. Have a buddy push up and down on each see to see if you can isolate the problem. You'd be surprised what sway bar bushings will do though. Mine is quite noisy due to worn out sway bar bushings but I don't have the wobble problem.

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2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed MT, 3.73 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
1999 Honda CR-V EX, RT4WD, 2.0L, 5 Speed MT, 4.56 open differential
1998 Ranger XLT, 4X2 Regular Cab, 2.5L, 5 Speed MT, SWB, 3.45 7.5" open differential, RABS, Leer 122 "High Boy" Cap

Agreed. In a lifetime of perhaps 100 car ownership and maintenance, I don't remember every buying a set of shock absorbers. How does one make decision on shocks, there are too many models/manufacturers available and no way to test them out (or can you?) returning ones which do little or no good.

Realizing the goals for 4x4 off road suspension are way different from a 2wd truck loaded only with driver 99% of the time...so what magic words in the manufacturer's catalog trigger a purchase to buy (try). Or does one waste gobs of money trying this or that for results?

And I believe getting a buddy's or shop mechanic's recommendations about shock absorbers are like getting recommendations for a fast food restaurant. A buddy's choices rarely fit your circumstances. Most importantly I'm coming to think the shock absorber choice must also be made in conjunction with the tire choice.

I wish we had access to the Ford research & development files of the tests they run to chose both tires and shocks. Shame they aren't released after 5 years for a peek into the test results and their decisions. When I'm King I'll set that up right after I fix the economy. Shocks there are about to getting real bad.