Suspension Upgrade Advice for 2021 Ranger (King vs Rough Country vs Fox)

[jake4x]

Hey everyone, I’ve got a 2021 Ford Ranger and I’m looking into upgrading my suspension setup. Right now, I’ve just got a cheap $60 leveling puck up front, but I’m not really loving how the suspension feels, especially when I’m off-road. I’m looking to get something with better travel and performance overall—something that will make my truck more capable off-road while still being a decent daily(this is my first car that’s actually mine, and I drive it every day).
I’ve been eyeing the KING 2-3” Leveling Kit which is supposed to include, Front Remote Reservoir Extended Travel Coilovers and, Rear Piggyback Reservoir Shocks.
I’m also considering getting ucas from Total Chaos to go with it.
I wanted to ask—is this King setup worth it, or would I be fine with something like a Rough Country kit or a Fox setup instead? I’m still relatively new to all this but learning as I go. Any advice or experience with these specific parts or just in general you guys have would be really appreciated. Also open to any other suggestions/mods I should be looking at!

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[bruhaum]

If you off road often and like to go fast the Kings can be worth it.

But if you go a few times a year or like to take your time on the trails something like a more budget setup like Bilstein 5100/Eibach Pro Truck/Fox 2.0 is totally sufficient. I wouldn't go with a Rough Country lift.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

First - Avoid Rough Country suspension. You will not be happy.

When you talk about Fox, you need to be more specific. Fox 2.0? Fox 2.5? There is a huge gap in quality between the two.

I've never met a person who wasn't happy with Kings. Kings are infinitely adjustable so, if you don't like something, they can be built to make you happy. Need to be revalved, a shop can do it. Need heavier springs, they can be changed out. Need softer springs, they can be changed out.

Fox 2.5 are fantastic too, and springs can be changed out. Fox 2.0 are better than stock but... not great.

Any shock can, technically have the springs swapped out, but do you want to put money into cheap shocks/struts?

If you can afford it, go Kings. I have the OME BP-51s and they are wonderful.


Ultimately, you need to ask yourself what you want.

 

[Frenchy]

So this is really a touchy subject. Let's ask some more questions to help get a better understanding of what it is you want to do and how you can achieve it.

Now we have established that this is your daily that you want to take OffRoad. What type of OffRoad are we talking? Are you just wanting to bomb though the Desert? Are you wanting to get out and explore? Are you wanting a Dedicated Rock Crawler? Are you just going to "travel on Forest Roads"(not a good answer as Forest Roads can vary from a car can do it to you need a Rock Crawler)?

Also do you like the idea of Putting stuff in the bed or perhaps towing from time to time? You did buy a truck to begin with.

I understand you want more capability for OffRoad while still being able to daily drive the truck. Let's answer these questions before you spend a bunch of money on something you will hate.

 

[jake4x]

So this is really a touchy subject. Let's ask some more questions to help get a better understanding of what it is you want to do and how you can achieve it.

Now we have established that this is your daily that you want to take OffRoad. What type of OffRoad are we talking? Are you just wanting to bomb though the Desert? Are you wanting to get out and explore? Are you wanting a Dedicated Rock Crawler? Are you just going to "travel on Forest Roads"(not a good answer as Forest Roads can vary from a car can do it to you need a Rock Crawler)?

Also do you like the idea of Putting stuff in the bed or perhaps towing from time to time? You did buy a truck to begin with.

I understand you want more capability for OffRoad while still being able to daily drive the truck. Let's answer these questions before you spend a bunch of money on something you will hate.

So to clarify:
• I do want to be able to go fast through the desert, but also have control for slower, more technical off-roading.
• I’m not looking for anything crazy like long travel or a dedicated crawler—just something noticeably better than stock with better damping and travel to handle bumps, dips, and whoops without the truck feeling unstable or harsh.
• I live in California, so most of my off-roading is in sandy washes, steep dirt hills, and dry trail areas.
• I don’t tow often, but I do occasionally throw stuff in the bed for work or camping trips—nothing too heavy though.

At the end of the day, I want something that gives me a more planted and capable feel off-road without sacrificing the ability to daily it comfortably.

Appreciate any input you’ve got!

 

[Frenchy]

So to clarify:
• I do want to be able to go fast through the desert, but also have control for slower, more technical off-roading.
• I’m not looking for anything crazy like long travel or a dedicated crawler—just something noticeably better than stock with better damping and travel to handle bumps, dips, and whoops without the truck feeling unstable or harsh.
• I live in California, so most of my off-roading is in sandy washes, steep dirt hills, and dry trail areas.
• I don’t tow often, but I do occasionally throw stuff in the bed for work or camping trips—nothing too heavy though.

At the end of the day, I want something that gives me a more planted and capable feel off-road without sacrificing the ability to daily it comfortably.

Appreciate any input you’ve got!

I do appreciate the honesty on what you plan to do and what you normally do(especially with the truck bed and towing). These things really matter.ore than what others think.

Understanding you are in California and will be more in the Desert areas, keep in mind that there are still going to be speed limits in different places. Check the local laws to see what is allowed. Most places across the US have a speed limit of 20 for OffRoad Trails(and that's assuming the trail will let you get that fast). Just keep in mind that because you can physically do the speed, doesn't always mean it is legal.

Because you are one that will put a load in the bed often and tow from time to time, I am going to recommend staying away from a Leveling Kit and look more towards a Lift Kit. To explain a Leveling kit will only raise the front. A lift kit will raise the entire vehicle. Trucks have this thing called Rake and it is important for Load Carrying. When you put a load in the bed or hook a trailer up, the rear end will lower. Depending on the load will depend on how much it will lower.

Now for me I am more of the Explorer type OffRoader. I stick.more towards Overlanding/Touring. That will include the more simple stuff along with some moderate trails. Some difficult stuff can be included, but not common. Because of this I myself went to Dobinsons. For my current vehicle(2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X) I have their Heavy Coils for the front with Super Heavy Leafs for the rear a long with the GS Twin Tube Shocks and Struts. For what I do, this is an excellent combination for a start. Later down the road I will most likely change the Shock and Struts to the IMS(Monotubes)or MRR(Monotubes with Adjustable Remote Reservoir). Going to those will drastically improve the comfort and control over the GS Series.

For the Ranger, you can get the IMS Monotubes along with Different Coils and Leafs depending on the load you plan to carry. If fairly light primarily due to being Stock, you will most likely stick to lighter Coils and Leafs especially if the normal loads are not heavy. That said depending on the Speeds you want to do in the Desert will depend on how they will handle the load as they could fade pretty quickly.

Old Man EMU isn't a horrible choice if you go for the BP-51's. Those are a very nice Remote Reservoir Bypass Adjustable Shocks and Struts that is meant to tackle all sorts of trails including the Desert. Just stay away from the Nitrocharger Shocks and Struts as the Dampening is a bit too soft. Even I had to learn the hard way with both my 2019 Ranger and a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder.

Other brands you can consider, but you will need to find a Leaf Spring to match with lifting include but are not limited too: Bilstein 6112/5160, Fox 2.0-2.5(2.5 would be better as they offer Remote Reservoirs) and Kings.

If anything I would most likely try to find something that will have a Remote Reservoir that is adjustable. This will help you find tune the Shocks and Struts to suite your needs.

Hopefully this was helpful

 

[Jamie Jack]

I have a 2021 XLT. Eibach 2.0 lift kit with an additional 1" block in the rear to maintain the rake. My tires are Toyo 235/80 r17 AT111, but I would suggest something wider for California. Something similar to this will allow you to drive comfortably on highway, drive quicker on gravel roads and still do some decent 4x4ing.

 

[Dereku]

You sound like a King guy. Good at everything and no compromising. Gotta pay to play but it will be nice.

 

[COblue]

Here's a Bronco specific video but it should hold similar to the Ranger, the taco videos have similar results.

Get 2.5s if ya wanna run it at speed (speed limits off-road lmao). King is slightly more travel, Fox holds up better in places that salt the road, Fox has better adjustments, yadda yadda.

Definitely get UCAs if you go 2.5 extended shocks. Fox 2.0s were nice on road, not quite firm enough for higher speed off-road.

 

[Frenchy]

Here's a Bronco specific video but it should hold similar to the Ranger, the taco videos have similar results.

Get 2.5s if ya wanna run it at speed (speed limits off-road lmao). King is slightly more travel, Fox holds up better in places that salt the road, Fox has better adjustments, yadda yadda.

Definitely get UCAs if you go 2.5 extended shocks. Fox 2.0s were nice on road, not quite firm enough for higher speed off-road.

You may think it's a joke when it comes to Speed Limits OffRoad, but if you go to the local Forest Service, they will have no problems explaining that it is true. A big open Desert may be a bit different than a Forest, but I suspect it will have Legal Limits as well.

 

[COblue]

You may think it's a joke when it comes to Speed Limits OffRoad, but if you go to the local Forest Service, they will have no problems explaining that it is true. A big open Desert may be a bit different than a Forest, but I suspect it will have Legal Limits as well.

I don't think it's a joke. I think you should go out to Barstow/Johnson Valley/etc with a radar gun and report back on your findings. There's some serious speed out there.

 

[cmhmh]

They are no longer making the BP-51s for the 5G ranger per ARB support.

 

[Grandaccess]

If you off road often and like to go fast the Kings can be worth it.

But if you go a few times a year or like to take your time on the trails something like a more budget setup like Bilstein 5100/Eibach Pro Truck/Fox 2.0 is totally sufficient. I wouldn't go with a Rough Country lift.

I have Rough Country, and I have been happy, I beat the hell out of this truck, drive it like I stole it! I have had it in the air a few times last year, I am off road twice a month, I haul 800 to 1000 lbs loads (In the Bed) many times a year, still here and the ride is not bad, if it was they wouldnt be able to sell them to anyone LOL
let me show you what 1100 lbs looks like in the Bed with No Squat! a few days ago, a few hundred miles with them and got 17.5 MPG doing it, I love this F***ING truck
can you do that with Bilstein or Eibach?
Each Telco Battery is 110 Lbs and there are 10 of them! last month I had 14 (fourteen!)
so people can go ahead and laugh at Rough Country lifts, while I am out here actually using it real world HAHAHA

 

[Grandaccess]

What ever I put in this truck I do not notice a difference!, a few months ago when I had 14 that is 3/4s of a Ton! coming back from Rochester, NY same level, the guys loading me were laughing their ass off, they did not want to load them they said they had to make 3 trips in their tundra WTF I said this aint your grandmas toyota they were STFH as I drove away LOL
I can say it did ride a little smoother

 

[DranC]

I love my Bilstein 5100s

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