shocks
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: chicago
shocks
i have a 2002 ranger xlt 4x4 with off-road package.(not fx4) i was thinking of getting a set of rancho or pro comp shocks. what kind of difference will i see in the ride? i heard someone say the factory ford shocks are junk.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: USA
shocks
>i have a 2002 ranger xlt 4x4 with off-road package.(not fx4)
>i was thinking of getting a set of rancho or pro comp
>shocks. what kind of difference will i see in the ride? i
>heard someone say the factory ford shocks are junk.
I have the FX4-Level II which comes from the factory with Bilstiens, and I think they work pretty darned well. On-road performance in particular is better than I expected.
Larry
>i was thinking of getting a set of rancho or pro comp
>shocks. what kind of difference will i see in the ride? i
>heard someone say the factory ford shocks are junk.
I have the FX4-Level II which comes from the factory with Bilstiens, and I think they work pretty darned well. On-road performance in particular is better than I expected.
Larry
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
shocks
Howabout for a 4x2 Ext cab? I'm looking for the best "On-Road" ride and handling.
NJW
>>i have a 2002 ranger xlt 4x4 with off-road package.(not fx4)
>>i was thinking of getting a set of rancho or pro comp
>>shocks. what kind of difference will i see in the ride? i
>>heard someone say the factory ford shocks are junk.
>
>I have the FX4-Level II which comes from the factory with
>Bilstiens, and I think they work pretty darned well.
>On-road performance in particular is better than I expected.
>
>Larry
NJW
>>i have a 2002 ranger xlt 4x4 with off-road package.(not fx4)
>>i was thinking of getting a set of rancho or pro comp
>>shocks. what kind of difference will i see in the ride? i
>>heard someone say the factory ford shocks are junk.
>
>I have the FX4-Level II which comes from the factory with
>Bilstiens, and I think they work pretty darned well.
>On-road performance in particular is better than I expected.
>
>Larry
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
shocks
Bilstiens!
I did an experiment last May. I put Bilstiens on the rear of my 4x2 and left the stock Ford shocks on front. The ride and handling was unbelievable. It was about 200% better. After a couple of months I replaced the front with Bilstiens and noticed something. The ride was more rough (harsh) and the performance was still about the same. If you want good performance and a great ride then try the Bilstiens on the back and stick with Ford on the front. If you don't mind a little bit of a harsh ride then go with Bilstiens on the front and back.
>Howabout for a 4x2 Ext cab? I'm looking for the best
>"On-Road" ride and handling.
>
>NJW
>
I did an experiment last May. I put Bilstiens on the rear of my 4x2 and left the stock Ford shocks on front. The ride and handling was unbelievable. It was about 200% better. After a couple of months I replaced the front with Bilstiens and noticed something. The ride was more rough (harsh) and the performance was still about the same. If you want good performance and a great ride then try the Bilstiens on the back and stick with Ford on the front. If you don't mind a little bit of a harsh ride then go with Bilstiens on the front and back.
>Howabout for a 4x2 Ext cab? I'm looking for the best
>"On-Road" ride and handling.
>
>NJW
>
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: NJ USA
shocks
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-14-03 AT 01:20 PM (EST)]I went with the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks about 2 years ago on my '94 2WD 3.0V6 -- couldn't be happier. They're relatively cheap (compared to Bilsteins) and just firm enough to keep the ride reasonable. The Tire Rack has the best deal on them, mine were about $33 each.
Keep in mind that, GENERALLY SPEAKING, the more expensive the shock, the harsher/stiffer it rides. So, if you're just tooling around on NJ's bad asphalt (like me), you don't need heavy-duty shocks. If you're racing or hauling, that's a different story.
Also, if you plan to do them yourself, DON'T CUT THE BAND that keeps the shock compressed until you mount either end first. Trust me on that one...
Keep in mind that, GENERALLY SPEAKING, the more expensive the shock, the harsher/stiffer it rides. So, if you're just tooling around on NJ's bad asphalt (like me), you don't need heavy-duty shocks. If you're racing or hauling, that's a different story.
Also, if you plan to do them yourself, DON'T CUT THE BAND that keeps the shock compressed until you mount either end first. Trust me on that one...
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
shocks
Thanks Guys
greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks 1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because their setup for off-roading.
MickeyP - I'll checkout those KYBs and thanks for the install tip. I've bought tires from the Rack and had a problem finding someone to mount and balance them so I'll probably do this myself. Where you at in Jersey? I'm at The Shore (Belmar) and commute to Princeton. 100 mi a day but no GSP or TPK, just rt18 and backroads!
NJ
checkout my "REAL" ride in the gallery @ rswarrior.com
greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks 1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because their setup for off-roading.
MickeyP - I'll checkout those KYBs and thanks for the install tip. I've bought tires from the Rack and had a problem finding someone to mount and balance them so I'll probably do this myself. Where you at in Jersey? I'm at The Shore (Belmar) and commute to Princeton. 100 mi a day but no GSP or TPK, just rt18 and backroads!
NJ
checkout my "REAL" ride in the gallery @ rswarrior.com
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: NJ USA
shocks
>Thanks Guys
>
>greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks
>1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because
>their setup for off-roading.
>
>MickeyP - I'll checkout those KYBs and thanks for the
>install tip. I've bought tires from the Rack and had a
>problem finding someone to mount and balance them so I'll
>probably do this myself. Where you at in Jersey? I'm at
>The Shore (Belmar) and commute to Princeton. 100 mi a day
>but no GSP or TPK, just rt18 and backroads!
I'm in the Sayreville area, my commute is up the TPK to 16W/E - about 65mi/day. It's actually not bad (thanks 730a-400p flex-hours), just expensive. Scenic, it ain't: It's the portion of the TPK that gives poor NJ its bad rap. Not too many people LEAVING over it, that's for sure! Anyway, I'd take your commute over mine any day, and wouldn't mind living in Belmar, either. Is Rt18 the best kept secret in NJ or what?
>NJ
>
>checkout my "REAL" ride in the gallery @ rswarrior.com
Nice bike, man. Always wanted to get one, but I know two people very well whose legs were reshaped into pretzels due to accidents with the brain-dead motoring public. Hope it never happens to you.
>
>greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks
>1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because
>their setup for off-roading.
>
>MickeyP - I'll checkout those KYBs and thanks for the
>install tip. I've bought tires from the Rack and had a
>problem finding someone to mount and balance them so I'll
>probably do this myself. Where you at in Jersey? I'm at
>The Shore (Belmar) and commute to Princeton. 100 mi a day
>but no GSP or TPK, just rt18 and backroads!
I'm in the Sayreville area, my commute is up the TPK to 16W/E - about 65mi/day. It's actually not bad (thanks 730a-400p flex-hours), just expensive. Scenic, it ain't: It's the portion of the TPK that gives poor NJ its bad rap. Not too many people LEAVING over it, that's for sure! Anyway, I'd take your commute over mine any day, and wouldn't mind living in Belmar, either. Is Rt18 the best kept secret in NJ or what?
>NJ
>
>checkout my "REAL" ride in the gallery @ rswarrior.com
Nice bike, man. Always wanted to get one, but I know two people very well whose legs were reshaped into pretzels due to accidents with the brain-dead motoring public. Hope it never happens to you.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: NJ USA
shocks
Hey Ken, congrats on the moderator position. Any good perks come with that? Use of the corporate jet, etc.?
On a non-Ranger note, now that my Giants (ultimate choke) and Jets are done, I'm rootin' for dem Eagles. Good luck!
On a non-Ranger note, now that my Giants (ultimate choke) and Jets are done, I'm rootin' for dem Eagles. Good luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
shocks
I didn't really have a choice. The company I bought my shocks from only had the rears in stock. I had to wait several months before my fronts came in. Bilstien was changing the style (color) of the shocks and for some reason the company I bought the shocks from did not want me to have the newer style. So I had to wait and wait and wait....
>
>greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks
>1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because
>their setup for off-roading.
>
>greenpus - interesting that you replaced the rear shocks
>1st. I was afraid the Bilstiens would be harsh because
>their setup for off-roading.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
shocks
>Hey Ken, congrats on the moderator position. Any good perks
>come with that? Use of the corporate jet, etc.?
>
>On a non-Ranger note, now that my Giants (ultimate choke)
>and Jets are done, I'm rootin' for dem Eagles. Good luck!
Thanks, LOL, and lets go birds.
>come with that? Use of the corporate jet, etc.?
>
>On a non-Ranger note, now that my Giants (ultimate choke)
>and Jets are done, I'm rootin' for dem Eagles. Good luck!
Thanks, LOL, and lets go birds.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
shocks
I hear ya Bro. If you wanna see a-holes, ride a bike! I had a runnin with a SUV going through a circle last Summer. he was beside me in the right lane and decided to make a left, taking me with him. I didn't go down but his front tire rubbing my boot while the brake lever scraped along his fender is something I never want to experience again.
Slayerville!!!
Slayerville!!!
