Ranger Suspension, Lift Kits, Leveling Kits

uthunter

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First time truck owner here. How do we best soften up the ride in our Ranger, particularly for un-maintained dirt road applications? We took it up into the mountains today, and it bounced pretty badly over washboards, to the point where it started to rotate a couple times. I'd really like to smooth out the ride and calm down the handling over rough stuff. We weren't even going very quickly.

Is this a tire-pressure thing? We were at 40 psi for all four. How low can we safely run the Bridgestone Duelers?

Going further, do different springs help? Or different shocks? Or both?

We have a bone-stock XLT, and will mostly be using this for outdoor adventures and hauling big objects. No seriously heavy loads anticipated, and no hardcore off-roading planned. I'd like to stay as close to the stock ride height as possible, but level.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
Go check out the video that ICON posted on their Instagram page of their off-road shock package compared to stock... it's pretty impressive. I did the Ford Performance shock upgrade and it's fantastic. That might help stabilize you to where you're more comfortable.

PS. The rear end will inherently kick around more on dirt roads due to the power at the rear wheels and dynamics of a pickups weight distribution... enjoy it and have fun :rockon:
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IdriveG5

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Is this a tire-pressure thing? We were at 40 psi for all four. How low can we safely run the Bridgestone Duelers?



Thanks in advance for the advice.
I would lower your tire pressure first, then see if adds enough comfort. What does the door sticker for the Duelers say. Lot of people's seemed to be jacked up way to high from factor. Once I lowered to closer to door sticker comfort increased significantly. If you still want more comfort after that then do suspension upgrade. Tire pressure do make big differences. For a comparison, if I am riding on my mountain bike, if I set the PSI 5 PSI to high, it will feel like I get beat to crap!
 
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apotocki

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Ok. Iā€™m thinking about adding some height to the front to level things out just a bit. My thought is 1-1.5 inches. I only see spacers running 2 inches or more. Not sure I really want the 2 inches. I did find some spacers that call for a 1/2 inch raise...wondering if I can stack 2 to accomplish the 1 inch minimum Iā€™d like? Appreciate any input.
 

TJMarchand

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Ok. Iā€™m thinking about adding some height to the front to level things out just a bit. My thought is 1-1.5 inches. I only see spacers running 2 inches or more. Not sure I really want the 2 inches. I did find some spacers that call for a 1/2 inch raise...wondering if I can stack 2 to accomplish the 1 inch minimum Iā€™d like? Appreciate any input.
https://www.svcoffroad.com/product-page/2019-ford-ranger-leveling-collar Would something like this be it? I am considering these.
 

TKDMasterV

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I got a quote from the dealership I bought my truck from to see exactly which level kits they endorsed/installed. They offered both Ready Lift and Tuff Country. I decided on the Ready Lift based on all the research I could find. Not surprising, the dealership was over double the price of a local off-road specialist.

I considered installing the Ready Lift myself, but after reading the install instructions, as well as some of those who have done it, I decided it was above my pay scale!

So I had the Ready Lift 3ā€ Level installed at the shop where I bought my tires. The whole deal included 4-BFG LT KO2 275/70R17, level kit install and alignment. The shop specializes in lifts/levels of all sorts. They have done many Ready Lift installs, but this was their first level on a 2019 Ranger. The tech said it was ā€œmore involved than he first thoughtā€. They had the truck for 7 hours, and I had to wait Ā½ hour after closing to pick it upā€¦. So I think it was pretty tough and Iā€™m glad I didnā€™t try to install!
(BTW, no trimming or modifications were required on the level/tire install and I have had no rubbing issues either)

The 3ā€ Ready Lift Level Kit puts the truck virtually level (unloaded). I donā€™t plan on towing much if anything (I use the tow receiver for my KUAT bike rack). I measured from the garage floor to the top of the wheel well trim (straight thru the center of wheel) and the fronts are 38-1/4ā€ dead-on and the rears measure 38-3/4ā€.

My Wife and I both agree the leveled ride is better than the stock ride. Because the tires were swapped as well, it is not possible/fair to credit only the level for the ride improvement. The ride is great and we love how the truck sits!

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Awesome! I was going to pull the trigger on these exact tires. Glad to see the fit with the 3" level with no issues. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering them and then having troubles with rubbing. Thanks for this review. When I get mine on I'll post.
 


BButah

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Awesome! I was going to pull the trigger on these exact tires. Glad to see the fit with the 3" level with no issues. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering them and then having troubles with rubbing. Thanks for this review. When I get mine on I'll post.
A lot of members of this forum have gone with the 285ā€™s which always require some modifications. The 275ā€™s are not made by all manufacturers, but Iā€™ve always been a fan of BFG.... and these do not disappoint! Youā€™ll love ā€˜em! Enjoy!
 

Andrew

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have you guys see this video? I was debating between the Fox 2.0 and Icon and decided to go Icon due to it being only 200 more but after watching this video holy cow! The 2.0 can take some abuse especially going through those whoops.


https://youtu.be/hC5VMhWt-2I
 

TKDMasterV

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Looks great! Did you paint ā€œRangerā€ on the fender or is it a decal?
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SWEET! That looks great! :thumbsup:
How do you like the tires so far?
Loving them. Look great, ride nice. Noise isn't much different from factory tires and seems a lot less bouncy. Got to get the speedo set though, just a little annoying when your anal like me.
 

702

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Anyone know if the Ready lift 3 inch kit would fit a 2wd ? I see conflicting reports but do like the design more so than just a spacer but might have to go with the fordrangerlifts kit.
 

BButah

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Loving them. Look great, ride nice. Noise isn't much different from factory tires and seems a lot less bouncy. Got to get the speedo set though, just a little annoying when your anal like me.
I'm pretty OCD on details as well. However, regarding the speedo, I have not done anything? First off, I'm not really sure what to do; and secondly, I drive by one of those radar/speed signs just about everyday. My speed when I pass the sign ranges from 35-50mph (I use the digital readout setting on my left display) and the truck speed is always dead on with the sign? Those signs are probably not super accurate; but like atomic weapons and dancing with someone else's wife.... "close counts", right? :blush:
 

FULLSCALE

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I'm pretty OCD on details as well. However, regarding the speedo, I have not done anything? First off, I'm not really sure what to do; and secondly, I drive by one of those radar/speed signs just about everyday. My speed when I pass the sign ranges from 35-50mph (I use the digital readout setting on my left display) and the truck speed is always dead on with the sign? Those signs are probably not super accurate; but like atomic weapons and dancing with someone else's wife.... "close counts", right? :blush:
I have 265/70R17 and my speedo is dead on to my phone GPS and I never adjusted anything either.
 

Hack_Actual

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I'm pretty OCD on details as well. However, regarding the speedo, I have not done anything? First off, I'm not really sure what to do; and secondly, I drive by one of those radar/speed signs just about everyday. My speed when I pass the sign ranges from 35-50mph (I use the digital readout setting on my left display) and the truck speed is always dead on with the sign? Those signs are probably not super accurate; but like atomic weapons and dancing with someone else's wife.... "close counts", right? :blush:
Those signs are very accurate.
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