2020 Ranger bought used, trying to understand what was done to it by previous owner

[2020RangerGuy]

Hello all,

Preparing to upgrade the suspension, but I'm not experienced with these things. Main priority is a better ride on the roads, and I wouldn't mind better ride on the dirt/offroad but it's not the priority. I don't need an elaborate set up to handle jumps, rock crawling, or anything like that. At most, I'll ever do is light off roading on a place designed for it (no mountains, dunes, etc.). I've read a lot about it but I still don't' feel like I have a good idea.

I do not know what is on the truck, assuming some kind of lift, but I'm hoping the pictures will help. The tires I have now seem to be pushing it, and on the left front, part of the interior (cardboard-like?) shielding has come lose and rubs when I turn extreme right.

Planning to spend some bucks, but I want to be careful. What should I get to not only optimize what I have, but support my goal with suspension. I'm not against changing out wheels/tires. I like larger wheels/tires, but I'm not married to the size I have now that came with the truck. Thinking no more than a 2-2.5 in lift in the suspension, and wheel/tire size optimized for that that doesn't strain what the truck is designed for.

The truck has almost 30k miles on it. Only mod I have added is boards. Planning on an exhaust (OFE/Roush or Borla), mats, some kind of tune, intercooler, piping, downpipe? (not sure if that's risky or not with computer?). My budget is about $8-10k for parts total.

Looking forward to feedback.

Thank you!

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[Racket]

Hello all,

I do not know what is on the truck, assuming some kind of lift, but I'm hoping the pictures will help. The tires I have now seem to be pushing it, and on the left front, part of the interior (cardboard-like?) shielding has come lose and rubs when I turn extreme right.

Planning to spend some bucks, but I want to be careful.

The truck has almost 30k miles on it.

Looking forward to feedback.

Thank you!

Clearly the front is lifted already but somethings up with the rear. The threads from the U bolts that are supposed to hold your (stock looking) springs extend way too long as if they aren't even holding the spring against the axle (edit I see them) or they left a too-long clamp left over from a previous mod like lift blocks?

 

[fjwlobo]

If you want a better ride, replace the factoy rear mono leafsprings with multi-leafsprings. If you still have the factory shocks & struts, replace them as well. I have Icon 2.5 stage 6 and it's made a great change in how my Ranger rides. A lot of people have Bilstein 5100's.

 

[2020RangerGuy]

I don't understand the whole suspension world. Do I replace coil overs, shocks, struts, leaf springs all of it? Was the lift done on the truck cheaply done? Is there a kit that provides a lift and better suspension set up all in one package?

Like this?: https://www.americantrucks.com/old-...-light-load-suspension-lift-kit-rngr19lk.html

or this? : https://www.americantrucks.com/icon...ch-suspension-lift-system-stage-1-k93201.html

 

[Racket]

@Frenchy should drop in any moment to recommend Old Man Emu (OME). If you have a high tolerance for paying for future maintenance a remote reservoir rear setup like Fox seems popular and you could emulate the Tremor setup with a multileaf setup. My guess is there was a block lift in the back at one point but with those stock monoleafs it probably wasn't a great ride. You've got tubular front control arms and what strut/spring setup is up front who knows? You may be able to get where you want with what you have in the front but that rear setup - from what can be seen in these pictures- probably needs attention. Knowing what NOT to do is probably more important.

 

[Frenchy]

@Frenchy should drop in any moment to recommend Old Man Emu (OME). If you have a high tolerance for paying for future maintenance a remote reservoir rear setup like Fox seems popular and you could emulate the Tremor setup with a multileaf setup. My guess is there was a block lift in the back at one point but with those stock monoleafs it probably wasn't a great ride. You've got tubular front control arms and what strut/spring setup is up front who knows? You may be able to get where you want with what you have in the front but that rear setup - from what can be seen in these pictures- probably needs attention. Knowing what NOT to do is probably more important.

Aren't you where I changed brands!? ?

 

[Frenchy]

I can certainly chime in later tonight. Apparently on my way home from Arizona and I'm still about 5 hours out from home.

 

[Racket]

Lots of threads exploring this: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/what-lift-to-run.14164/

 

[Racket]

While @Frenchy drives, he has defected the Ford paddock for a Nissan after being a contributor to the forum. We don't question his experience just his lack of brand faithfulness

 

[Frenchy]

While @Frenchy drives, he has defected the Ford paddock for a Nissan after being a contributor to the forum. We don't question his experience just his lack of brand faithfulness

I am brand faithful sir. Just not the brand you are thinking of lol

 

[2020RangerGuy]

I've explored the threads but still not sure. If I need to take more pics I can. Suspension is the most important upgrade for me, and I'm not adverse to spending some money on it. I saw the old man emu kit, but I've also seen Fox and Icon spoke about a lot. It will be 90 percent on road for me, but I'm moving to Omaha and there are a lot of rough roads there potholes and what not. I would like a at least a little above average off road handling if possible.

 

[Frenchy]

I've explored the threads but still not sure. If I need to take more pics I can. Suspension is the most important upgrade for me, and I'm not adverse to spending some money on it. I saw the old man emu kit, but I've also seen Fox and Icon spoke about a lot. It will be 90 percent on road for me, but I'm moving to Omaha and there are a lot of rough roads there potholes and what not. I would like a at least a little above average off road handling if possible.

There are plenty of options out there and I can help you decide what to look at. For what it's worth I can already tell you that you still have the OEM suspension that someone decided to put some cheap spacers in up front. Thankfully they got some aftermarket control arms to help the alignment. Beyond that there's nothing special that you have at this time and I would definitely recommend getting something.

That said something I want to ask and have you think about is how often will you tow or put stuff in the bed? Are you going to have stuff in the bed constantly? Is it going to be pretty empty? I understand that you're going to be looking at off-road 10% of the time which is totally fair. Just trying to get a good idea

 

[2020RangerGuy]

There are plenty of options out there and I can help you decide what to look at. For what it's worth I can already tell you that you still have the OEM suspension that someone decided to put some cheap spacers in up front. Thankfully they got some aftermarket control arms to help the alignment. Beyond that there's nothing special that you have at this time and I would definitely recommend getting something.

That said something I want to ask and have you think about is how often will you tow or put stuff in the bed? Are you going to have stuff in the bed constantly? Is it going to be pretty empty? I understand that you're going to be looking at off-road 10% of the time which is totally fair. Just trying to get a good idea

The bed will see little to no use, definitely nothing heavy, and I doubt I'll ever tow anything. I've always liked Rangers, which is why I have it. (started with 93' manual extended cab at age 19) At most just use it for items cannot fit in a car, no heavy gear or loads. The 10 percent off road is probably too generous. Though i do like the idea of being capable of needed. Ty in advance!

 

[Frenchy]

Because of everything you told me this is actually going to be pretty easy and I'm going to suggest some changes that you wouldn't expect.

For starters being a four-wheel drive truck your truck is already pretty capable stock. Mini 4 wheel drives from the factory are pretty darn capable off the showroom floor. It just really comes down to what type of four-wheel driving you plan to do. For example you have the person who hits the occasional dirt road from time to time. You also have people like myself that do a lot of four-wheel drive touring where we might cook us more towards the easier stuff but do accept the moderate and some difficult stuff. You also have the people who like getting one of those really old beat up Jeeps cutting it up and make it at a nice extreme rock crawler. There's just so many different forms that it's hard to say which way to go depending on what you're trying to do.

Since you're not too sure if you're really going to be doing much of off-roading from the get-go at least and you're not really too confident on if you're going to be loading the bed up at all, I would recommend a much simpler route that will help save you some money. For starters we're going to want to get rid of those POS spacers up front. What are we going to do to replace them? You have two options here. Option one is to get a full set of Bilstein 4600 shocks and struts. The 4600 would be an OEM equivalent type shock and strut and for the most part we'll take care of you on the road and be just fine for most dirt roads. The second option would be the Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts. The valving would be very similar to the 4600 but the front struts would allow you a few different options of height adjustment up front from stock up to 1.5 to 2 in depending. The rear shocks would be long enough to accept a small lift from blocks or shackles or leaf springs depending. If you went with the 5100s I would recommend no more than one inch upfront. Next is the wheels and tires. Unfortunately the previous owner decided to be a cheap ass and buy cheap Chinese wheels that look f****** ugly. I would do yourself a favor and find a good set of OEM wheels for that truck. Chances are there will be plenty near you and where you're looking at moving to. Once you get a new set of wheels get yourself a set of 32-in tires. For example there is 265/70-17 or 265/65-18. Both those sizes will fit the Ranger at stock suspension height. They're also been reports from others on here with those tires helping improve the ride quality drastically.

Once you have that all done I would recommend hitting different roads trails just to see how the truck does. Maybe the truck will be just fine that way. Maybe you'll need to change it just a little bit. Regardless that is the start I would make for your truck

 

[2020RangerGuy]

Thank you @Frenchy !

So like this kit? Should I think about multi leaf-springs? If I am going to do it, might as well do it right

https://mudify.com/products/bilstei...eAB385VgR3k9aKWR5Vcia32qnn7oczHwaAsetEALw_wcB

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