As the restoration of Rescue Ranger proceeds i will be redoing steering and suspension. Most of its miles will be to the lake pulling my boat or tent trailer so I am looking for a good hiway ride. It currently has quad rancho 5000 shocks rancho leveling springs front and 2" 5 leaves in the rear. I am thinking about removing the front quads and replacing the rest any suggestions

 

My 92 had the factory quad shocks and after upgrading springs and shocks both, I found that removing the forward set (auxiliary set) of shocks, the ride wasn't nearly as stiff for on-road driving.

 

You could always go with an adjustable shock. That way you don't have to compromise between being comfortable on-road and functional off-road. Rancho has a RSX9000 series that is adjustable and I believe it even has a set-up you can get so you can adjust them from in the cab ($$$).

 

I have given some thought to the rancho 9000s they are pricey but maybe worth it right now it feels like it has no suspension every bump feels like im hitting the bumpstops. I dont remember it being this hard but I put the rancho stuff in when my son wanted to drive it to school. That was 7 years ago and i just now have been able to retrieve it from him

 

Going with you advice Edgethis ordered rancho 9000s and new moog springs and tie rods for the front. I am tired of the auto zone tie rods wearing out every 10000 miles

 

the adjustable 9000s? Please let us know how they turn out.. also, post if you see any difference with the Moog tie rod ends in the way the front end feels. I have one Moog end, the rest if Autozone and I really don't trust the Autozone rod-ends.

I eventually took off my quads.. took my rough country front shock and put them where the rear shorter one was for my new 5.5'' Deavers. The single shock keeps it under control pretty well, my Deaver coils are progressive rate, maybe a tad stiffer than the Moogs. I still think the suspension is too hard on quick bumps. but before I removed my quads, it was unbearable.

Rolling over bumps and rocks it feels great, it's when I hit a rough pothole or rock at speed, it's really uncomfortable, "BANG CLUNK".
I also swear my shocks got stiffer with age, when the suspension was new they felt really good.

you're gonna love the Moogs over the Rancho springs

 

I have the Moog 844s and quad rancho 5000s in my front and I really like the ride, however I have the OEM (from 95) shocks and leafs out back so every bump starts out nice then the rear hits it and BAM!

 

Right now i have the 2" rancho springs and quad rancho 5000s in the front The rear has heavier springs in it but i cant remember exactly what they are and rancho 5000s. The front will knock your teeth out on anything bigger than a bottle cap the rear isnt bad. I noticed last nite that the top three coils on the ranchos are touching. I dug back through your old posts and decided on the moog 844s and the adjustable 9000s for the front. I am thinking that way i can get a decent hiway ride and turn them up when towing or getting to the hunting camp. It seems the truck has a rake down towards the front and i seem to remember it sitting level or just a little high in the front several years ago before my son absconded with it

 

It def sounds like those rancho springs are worn out, the coils shouldn't be touching.