A Suspension Facelift

[yuck6]

Hello,I’m looking to enhance the drive and feel of my 2020 Ranger 4x4 XLT Supercab. After putting 60k on the original equipment I feel like it’s time for some replacements. I use the truck to tow a 4,000lbs(ish) trailer for work and keep a constant 200lbs-300lbs of tools and materials in the bed. After reading all the posts on here about leaf springs and suspension I’ve come up with what i plan to do and am looking for input and advice on a similar setup.

I plan on replacing the springs and shocks with this Eibach setup. Im not looking to gain a huge lift so I don’t effect my towing but more to level out the imperfections in the suspension. All my ground to top of wheel well measurements are all over the place. Im also looking to improve the ride quality and these have great review’s with respect to that.
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/1...wd-eibach-2-0-stage-1-suspension-package.html

I’ve also noticed that my leaf springs on the passenger side are touching and on the passenger side there is a small 1/4 gap between the leafs. This is with all my the equipment in the passenger side of the bed. With my use of the bed and towing I wanted to get some heavier duty springs. Which lead me to the Deavers.I probably don’t need the HD ones but they are significantly cheaper and I figured it would help against future
wear.

https://automotiveperformancegroup.com/product/s20-009/

Come the fall I’m going to be replacing my tires, and planning on going with 265/70/17 KO2’s on my stock rims. These seem to be the largest tire that will fit without much modification

Appreciate any and all input.

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[OFC Ranger]

I have a constant 700-800lbs attached to my bed.

I run the Eibach Stage 1 kit , but I use the Autospring leaf helpers which are considerably cheaper than than the leaf replacements you linked.

The leaf helpers were $260 and added 700lbs of bed capacity before my factory leafs engage, more or less.

Some people use SUMO springs as an alternative as well. If you just haul stuff and don't do serious off roading might save yourself some money with helpers vs full pack replacement.

 

[ReigleCM]

The Eibachs are pretty great, I believe @Colo_Ranger has some for sale for a great deal.

The leaf springs IMO will make the biggest difference in the ride, especially while towing. Deaver is a great brand. I run the Old Man Emu leafs and love them.

You’ll enjoy the new suspension a lot!

 

[yuck6]

I have a constant 700-800lbs attached to my bed.

I run the Eibach Stage 1 kit , but I use the Autospring leaf helpers which are considerably cheaper than than the leaf replacements you linked.

The leaf helpers were $260 and added 700lbs of bed capacity before my factory leafs engage, more or less.

Some people use SUMO springs as an alternative as well. If you just haul stuff and don't do serious off roading might save yourself some money with helpers vs full pack replacement.

I had seen those, I’m concerned that because I’ve already overextend one leaf I should replace it, hence looking for a swap. I’ve also heard the sumo springs add a bit of stiffness.

 

[yuck6]

The Eibachs are pretty great, I believe @Colo_Ranger has some for sale for a great deal.

The leaf springs IMO will make the biggest difference in the ride, especially while towing. Deaver is a great brand. I run the Old Man Emu leafs and love them.

You’ll enjoy the new suspension a lot!

I saw those for sale, I’m a bit hesitant on buying them used. Appreciate the input.

 

[Msfitoy]

I have a constant 700-800lbs attached to my bed.

I run the Eibach Stage 1 kit , but I use the Autospring leaf helpers which are considerably cheaper than than the leaf replacements you linked.

The leaf helpers were $260 and added 700lbs of bed capacity before my factory leafs engage, more or less.

Some people use SUMO springs as an alternative as well. If you just haul stuff and don't do serious off roading might save yourself some money with helpers vs full pack replacement.

I have same setup with similar weight without the helper springs...105K miles and still riding great...@OP, highly recommend this setup for ride, price and longevity...

 

[OFC Ranger]

I have same setup with similar weight without the helper springs...105K miles and still riding great...@OP, highly recommend this setup for ride, price and longevity...

Riding great or riding great at proper rear height?

I lost quite a few inches of height in the rear without the helper springs. My shit was sitting with a ton of pre-load. It drove fine... under normal conditions, but it is pretty clear it was far from where it should have been. I was like 1 or 2 inches off the bumpstop.

No Helper Springs:

With Helper Springs

 

[Msfitoy]

Riding great or riding great at proper rear height?

I lost quite a few inches of height in the rear without the helper springs. My shit was sitting with a ton of pre-load. It drove fine... under normal conditions, but it is pretty clear it was far from where it should have been. I was like 1 or 2 inches off the bumpstop.

No Helper Springs:

With Helper Springs

Oh my Godzes...lifting block?! Not you too... ?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Oh my Godzes...lifting block?! Not you too... ?

Yea been running the 1" block since I installed the stage 1 kit.

I know, its like wheel spacers!

IM GONNA DIE!!!111!!1

 

[Msfitoy]

Yea been running the 1" block since I installed the stage 1 kit.

I know, its like wheel spacers!

IM GONNA DIE!!!111!!1

Do the spacer man...run with scissors blind folded...life's too short...

 

[cmhmh]

I've chatted w/ the guy @ Deaver and he really recommends the 600lb constant load for their HD leafs... I have confirmed this assessment with some other customers who feel a harsh ride driving w/o that 600lb constant load. The HD ones are on super sale because they are not going to continue servicing the 5G Ranger [per my phone conversation with them a few months ago] and he needs to clear inventory.

For tires I am running Toyo Open Country LT AT III 265/70/R17. I ended up going OME rear leaf replacement w/ nitrochargers on all 4 corners.

Edit:
My constant bed load is ~350lb with topper, bed platform, and 'stuff'. I am also about to take delivery of a small off-road trailer rated to 3500lb suspension. I was initially hesitant about the lift, but it's.... definitely grown on me.

When measuring your lift... don't go from the ground... go from the center of the hubcap to the top of the wheel well

 

[yuck6]

Wound up going the RAS route as recommended here. Shocks and coil overs will be here next week.

 

[Blackeagle]

In a somewhat similar situation (minus the towing) I went with Icon replacement leaf springs and the Eibach Stage 2R suspension kit.

 

[yuck6]

Installed the Roadactive suspension today. I’m not mechanic but got it done.

Did some before and after measurements between the top of the tire and the wheel well. Not to scientific but able to see the numbers changed.

Without the trailer the front tire clearances lost a little, 1/8” on the drivers side and 1/4 on the passenger side. As for the rears they both gained 1”.

With the trailer attached, the fronts remained unchanged. In the rear i gained 1/2” on the drivers side, and 5/8” on the passenger side and the fronts stayed the same.
I’m happy with this outcome. I would say it is a slightly stiffer ride but hoping shocks will help that. Now I’m waiting on the rest of the parts to come in Monday to get installed. With the trailer attached my truck sits 1/2 lower in the front. I’m thinking with the new coil overs I may just do a 1/2” of lift and now the truck will ride level.

All in all took me 2 1/2 hours including all the measurements and moving the trailer around. If I had all the tools ready and didn’t measure anything this could be done in about an hour. The only hard part was getting the hook around the top bushing.

 

[yuck6]

Just a little update. I did only the rears today because of time. But after a little 15 mile drive I can say I notice the difference a good improvement and would recommend doing it.

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