Best "2.0" style suspension upgrade?

[Willy5G]

Hey guys, I just got my new (to me) 2022 Ranger XLT Sport 4x4 (will attach photos even tho its BONE stock). Likely gonna wait a little bit to start touching the truck, but weighing options for suspension. I don't really intend to crawl the truck, but will do some light overlanding and off-roading. Truck also will serve as a camping/mtb hauling rig. Looking to level the truck, and improve its manners both off road and on. Between the non-remote reservoir options, like the Fox 2.0s, Bilstein 5100s, Icon stage 1s, etc etc, what is best/would fit my needs best. Also does anyone have a hookup for this kind of thing? I work in the outdoor industry but I am not sure my job at a bike company will translate to an industry discount on aftermarket truck suspension.

Thank you!

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[CP0861]

There's a good video on youtube somewhere that describes and compares the Billsteins, Fox's and Eibach shocks all in one video. I can't remember all the differences and details but just remembered thinking the Eibachs would be my choice. I think the Billsteins are maybe the softest (and maybe less ideal for towing)...Fox's maybe the stiffest...and Eibachs were sorta the in between. *I think* anyway that was the jist of the video. I might've confused the info, but it's a good informative video. Worth checking out.

 

[Bob902]

Shock surplus has the video. I have the Eibach system and am pleased with it.

 

[RangerPNW]

If i was to do my 2.0 setup again, i'd go with the Eibach Protruck 2R kit.

 

[OGMix376]

There's a good video on youtube somewhere that describes and compares the Billsteins, Fox's and Eibach shocks all in one video. I can't remember all the differences and details but just remembered thinking the Eibachs would be my choice. I think the Billsteins are maybe the softest (and maybe less ideal for towing)...Fox's maybe the stiffest...and Eibachs were sorta the in between. *I think* anyway that was the jist of the video. I might've confused the info, but it's a good informative video. Worth checking out.

It’s actually the reverse ?… from stiff to soft…billstein (stiff), eibach (mid), and fox (soft)…
Personally have the Fox, I had a great experience with them… I almost went eibach pro truck 2R….but decided on Fox2.5’s to replace my Fox2.0 shocks/Coilovers.
The billstein seem to be the preferred for those who tow a bit… the E pro truck 2…were a nice medium if the Fox would seem to feel too squishy, or too off road focused..
Personal opinion.. the fox never felt uncomfortable and the truck has always felt compliant even when I occasionally towed a 5500# trailer..
the eibach pro truck 2 coilovers and rears might be the choice for you if you want a more firm on road feel, but will still have a bit of give when going off road…(with that though I wouldn’t go the full 3.5” up that I believe the Eibach coilovers do… at most set it to 3”… front cv angles will hate that less than the 3.5”)…
Adjusting the eibachs will be easier than adjusting the Fox… which I also you can adjust the eibachs while they are on the truck with a spanr wrench.. where the Fox will require you to have a spring compressor to adjust them properly..
idk much about billstein other than they’re a decent brand a bit on the stiffer side, lots of rangers have them installed, they use the oem struts (I think, but also have a full coilover replacement for the front…I think.).

 

[RangerPNW]

If i was to do my 2.0 setup again, i'd go with the Eibach Protruck 2R kit.

To clarify my stance on the Fox 2.0, I loved them when the truck was more or less stock. My gripes come with adding weight, as soon as I threw a canopy on my truck it was a lot easier to blow through my rear travel. New rear spring might help, and its on my list. But i think the Eibachs provide the best overall balance.

 

[JLC04]

I have the Eibach 2.0 coilovers up front and Eibach rear shocks. Had them for probably 35,000 miles and I'm happy with them.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

The OME Nitro Charger kit is the best kit before jumping up to 2.5s. It comes with the front, rear, leaf springs, and shackles. It will ride amazing, left the front and rear, and perform really good.

I've had the OE FX4, Eibach Pro 2.0, Nitro Charger, and the BP-51s. The Nitro Charger was excellent until I jumped to the BP-51. I am really heavy and I needed to upgrade, or I would have stuck with the Nitro Charger.

 

[Frenchy]

What you did there was ask a horrible question. Too many will give their input.

Keep in mind if you plan to travel OffRoad(even just for Touring/Overlanding) you will want to lift the truck instead of leveling it. Why? Because if you are going to increase the ground clearance then you need to do all 4 corners and not half ass it.

With that said one I would recommend considering is Dobinsons. They are From Australia and are based around Touring/Overlanding. For the Ranger they have the IMS Shocks and Struts available. They also have different Coil and Leaf Springs for different load ranges and lift heights(see the attached chart).

Now for my own experience I have had the GS Twin Tubes on my old 93 Pathfinder and I have a set on my current 2012 Frontier. Overall they are solid, but the IMS is a big upgrade over the GS. To give you an idea of where the GS Twin Tubes sit, they are far superior to the Nitrocharger Shocks and Struts from Old Man EMU. I got to experience that with my 93 Pathfinder.

There's my input

 

[gwhalin]

Keep in mind that the Fox shocks require a rebuild every 50k miles for on road driving and less as you get more and more offroad. This requires taking them off and sending them in to be serviced. I am getting close to that window with my 2.5s and starting to think about what I plan to do while shocks are sent off (I stupidly didn't save my original shocks and instead sold them on Marketplace).

 

[Frenchy]

Keep in mind that the Fox shocks require a rebuild every 50k miles for on road driving and less as you get more and more offroad. This requires taking them off and sending them in to be serviced. I am getting close to that window with my 2.5s and starting to think about what I plan to do while shocks are sent off (I stupidly didn't save my original shocks and instead sold them on Marketplace).

Skateboard to work?

 

[lariat]

Hey guys, I just got my new (to me) 2022 Ranger XLT Sport 4x4 (will attach photos even tho its BONE stock). Likely gonna wait a little bit to start touching the truck, but weighing options for suspension. I don't really intend to crawl the truck, but will do some light overlanding and off-roading. Truck also will serve as a camping/mtb hauling rig. Looking to level the truck, and improve its manners both off road and on. Between the non-remote reservoir options, like the Fox 2.0s, Bilstein 5100s, Icon stage 1s, etc etc, what is best/would fit my needs best. Also does anyone have a hookup for this kind of thing? I work in the outdoor industry but I am not sure my job at a bike company will translate to an industry discount on aftermarket truck suspension.

Thank you!

IMO, the Fox or Billstein's are your go to level kits to choose from. I'm a fan of Fox, they are great but Billstein and I know some others are good too. Cost effective, immediate improvement, easy and tested. Enjoy!

For me, I started cheap and went with super cheap Billstein rears, which work great, but I wanted a full kit to level the front. You won't be dissapointed in whatever you chose.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-F15AA

 

[lariat]

Keep in mind that the Fox shocks require a rebuild every 50k miles for on road driving and less as you get more and more offroad. This requires taking them off and sending them in to be serviced. I am getting close to that window with my 2.5s and starting to think about what I plan to do while shocks are sent off (I stupidly didn't save my original shocks and instead sold them on Marketplace).

If you don't drive your truck offroad often, you can easily get 2x that mileage on them before service. Considering 99% of the population that has aftermarket suspension drives on-road, there's little breakdown in the oil.

 

[Frenchy]

If you don't drive your truck offroad often, you can easily get 2x that mileage on them before service. Considering 99% of the population that has aftermarket suspension drives on-road, there's little breakdown in the oil.

It's not just the oil but also the seals you have to take into consideration. There's still quite a bit of movement even on the street that you don't realize. Having a super soft shock that Fox provides makes it very common to have to rebuild at that mileage.

 

[Bob902]

If you don't drive your truck offroad often, you can easily get 2x that mileage on them before service. Considering 99% of the population that has aftermarket suspension drives on-road, there's little breakdown in the oil.

I had Fox on the rear. They were shot after 40k of highway driving.

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