UK Automotive Ltd: LEAF SPRING FORD RANGER WILDTRAK LIMITED REAR SUSPENSION 2019 2020 2021 2021 | eBay
Can't drop the cash now but by god I hope I do in the next 3-5 months.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I definitely could use softer more progressive spring setup for where we go. I don't mind a little more squat when loading, just a more progressive setup on both the springs and dampers I think will be the ticket.
Great write up and excellent foreman.Installed the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks onto 2WD XL Soupie.
I gathered far more crap than I ended up using, but I should have used the tape measure to get new shocks to the right length and then used a strap to hold them compressed
equally important prep, a spot for the foreman and a spot for this old fart - ended up not taking a break, I was on a mission! =p
only the best wheel chocks! I did, at least, "preload" them by putting the truck in neutral and letting it roll into them, I didn't want my jack shifting too much later
friggin' spare took 10 minutes of screwing around - move Cheech's supercab bed, get out the jack, and then trying to line up the hole? had to get the work light out, and was I frustrated, ugh - but down it came and it's at 40psi. When I put it back up, I flipped it so I can get to the valve stem. It's in the back and if it ever got ripped off, then that'll be one hell of a dump run story! =D
it's a Dynapro! my other tires are Bridgestone Duellers
and the crap starts to accumulate under the truck, and thank God for knee pads! didn't need any extensions or wrenches or the hand ratchet
used my tire iron to break the 4 bolts loose (I keep my 30-inch breaker next to the driver seat, for those fast tire changes ...) =p
as you can see I also took off the rear tires, I have an impact wrench so it was an excuse to use it. I did scratch the plastic cap Ford logos because I put the lug nuts in them like a bowl and then promptly slid them around on the asphalt - derr!
super easy to reach all the bolts and captive nuts make it easy to take them out
patient foreman as I cuss like the Pacific Fleet's in town! =p
driver side went in super easy, but I had a hard time compressing the passenger side, so I did this "creative" thing
finally, it's in there!
torque all four bolts to 52 lb-ft
I jacked on the leaf spring hangers using a Safe Jack square plate that diagonally fit inside of the four bolts and placed the jack stands, as the manual says, on the axle. I also pushed the rear tires under the frame. That oil spot where a bolt is? My brand new $315 US Jack! I'm fit to be tied that it leaks and it'll get returned!
you can kind of see how that jack plate fit between the hanger bolts. You can also see the foreman keeping an eye on me =)
then the foreman insisted on a test run and we went to Wendy's for a double cheeseburger (by the time Cheech was done, it was a single for me!) =p
Odds and Ends
I had brought out tape to hold the upper captive nut on the passenger side, but it stayed in place and there was no way I could have gotten tape on it anyway. I did hold the nut when I placed the bolt back in until I ran it in with the air ratchet.
It probably took me two hours going at a very leisurely pace - it was nice out and I decided to take it very easy. It certainly can be done without removing the tires or even the spare. And hand tools would have simplified setup and take down. I imagine 15-20 minutes would be more than ample going this route.
You only need a breaker bar, a 3/8" ratchet, and a 15mm socket. No wrench needed since the nuts are partially captive. Three of the nuts fell loose into my hand and they are easy to hold in place when reinstalling.
The Verdict
It's really hard for me to quantify it.
It does feel different and the best I can say is the ride feels muffled - like a heavy blanket's been tossed over Soupie.
It's different than having a heavy load or having several hundred pounds of trailer tongue weight. The bounciness is less harsh and slower. For $158 I'd do this all day long - I'm very glad that I did this.
Thanks to all who steered me to the Bilstein 4600s, they're just right for Cheech adventures and dump runs!
Thank you, anyone with questions, feel free to ask. The answers may help others.
Did you make sure the blue boots were seated and sealed after install? They tend to get bumped off the little notch they're supposed to reside in.
Great tip and I didn't know that. I'll check in the morning - thanks! =)
Nice !Went offroading last night. New 35s decided to claim another fender flare. So today I decide to do a “flare chop” and cut the whole flare section out of the fenders. I like the way it turned out and no more rubbing. Could maybe fit some 37s next time I buy tires!! Went back out offroading to the same trail as before and only thing I rubbed was full locked on the forward crash bar brackets. So those will be cut completely off next. I also had a big whoopsy on the trail and almost ran into a big rock wall head on…. Going too fast in a wash and the turn came up quicker than I wanted. Smashed the brakes and abs kicked in and I didn’t think I would stop. Had to whip it up another trail but still manage to catch a rock hard with the passenger front and thought I busted my wheel or blew a tire. The tire “burped” from 13 psi to 7 tho. But checked it over and nothing bent or cut or anything.
That looks much less tacky than I expected it to.Went offroading last night. New 35s decided to claim another fender flare. So today I decide to do a “flare chop” and cut the whole flare section out of the fenders. I like the way it turned out and no more rubbing. Could maybe fit some 37s next time I buy tires!! Went back out offroading to the same trail as before and only thing I rubbed was full locked on the forward crash bar brackets. So those will be cut completely off next. I also had a big whoopsy on the trail and almost ran into a big rock wall head on…. Going too fast in a wash and the turn came up quicker than I wanted. Smashed the brakes and abs kicked in and I didn’t think I would stop. Had to whip it up another trail but still manage to catch a rock hard with the passenger front and thought I busted my wheel or blew a tire. The tire “burped” from 13 psi to 7 tho. But checked it over and nothing bent or cut or anything.
Definitely needs bigger tires, but man looks cleanWent offroading last night. New 35s decided to claim another fender flare. So today I decide to do a “flare chop” and cut the whole flare section out of the fenders. I like the way it turned out and no more rubbing. Could maybe fit some 37s next time I buy tires!! Went back out offroading to the same trail as before and only thing I rubbed was full locked on the forward crash bar brackets. So those will be cut completely off next. I also had a big whoopsy on the trail and almost ran into a big rock wall head on…. Going too fast in a wash and the turn came up quicker than I wanted. Smashed the brakes and abs kicked in and I didn’t think I would stop. Had to whip it up another trail but still manage to catch a rock hard with the passenger front and thought I busted my wheel or blew a tire. The tire “burped” from 13 psi to 7 tho. But checked it over and nothing bent or cut or anything.
