anyone tried H&R front springs?

[Langwilliams]

Hi, I added Bilstein front struts to my ranger set at 1.8" lift. I'm not too crazy about the ride. I think it's because the spring is preloaded. I'm thinking a spring that provides lift would help since the spring wouldn't be partially compressed. I came across these an wonder if anyone tried them. A new spring would allow me to retain the Bilstein struts I've paid for. the other option is biting the bullet an getting a new coil over setup. I saw a belltech setup for $600.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2244755911...e:Ford&hash=item3443c9b1fb:g:rIUAAOSw6AhgrsOI

https://www.vividracing.com/-p-1527...6Am77C_Ytc4QRI6-aoFP5UehALQeInjcaAjuYEALw_wcB

any experience with any of these?

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[McLeadslinger]

I have the Eibach Pro 2.0 adjustable coilovers and matching Rear shocks. I highly recommend them. Stage 3 has them.


https://www.stage3motorsports.com/1...wd-eibach-2-0-stage-1-suspension-package.html

 

[Pinepig]

Hi, I added Bilstein front struts to my ranger set at 1.8" lift. I'm not too crazy about the ride. I think it's because the spring is preloaded. I'm thinking a spring that provides lift would help since the spring wouldn't be partially compressed. I came across these an wonder if anyone tried them. A new spring would allow me to retain the Bilstein struts I've paid for. the other option is biting the bullet an getting a new coil over setup. I saw a belltech setup for $600.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224475591163?fits=Year:2021|Model:Ranger|Make:Ford&hash=item3443c9b1fb:g:rIUAAOSw6AhgrsOI

https://www.vividracing.com/-p-1527...6Am77C_Ytc4QRI6-aoFP5UehALQeInjcaAjuYEALw_wcB

any experience with any of these?

You're thinking about " preload " wrong. It doesn't matter in the different heights available on a slotted Bilstein strut. The springs in our trucks are not progressive they don't get more spring rate as you compress them further, whatever the spring rate is it stays that spring rate till the coils bind.

By moving the keeper up on the strut you are not making the springs stiffer, you have just moved the " resting " point up from the trucks weight minus the length you have made the spring shorter because the spring hat is a fixed height.

Depending on what you are not happy with regarding the ride with the combo you have now adding a stiffer spring might make it worse than what you have now. Just saying " I'm not happy " gives no information that anybody here can use to make an educated guess at what you need.

Lets go back to the beginning, have you swapped out the rear shocks too? They are the ones than make the truck ( assuming they are stock ) ride like a boat in the waves, rocking back and forth nonstop because they do not have enough resistance to the motion created by a movement of the suspension. If you have not, I would suggest adding them before screwing with the fronts. The front also does this but Ford got the dampening of the fronts a lot closer to optimal than they did the rear. Adding the Bilstein struts to the front have added dampening to the front. Some folks will call it " stiffer ", I personally do not like that term, it's kind of a misnomer. Added dampening slows a deflection, too much of this and it will seem harsh like you have no suspension movement at all. Adding a stiffer spring rate to this condition will make it worse not better, you will get even less movement for a given deflection load. You will be the first guy here thinking the front Bilsteins are too harsh that I have read. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that what you want appears to be different than the norms on 5g. Ride " feel " for comfort is totally subjective.

Can you explain what it is doing that you do not enjoy specifically.

 

[Langwilliams]

You're thinking about " preload " wrong. It doesn't matter in the different heights available on a slotted Bilstein strut. The springs in our trucks are not progressive they don't get more spring rate as you compress them further, whatever the spring rate is it stays that spring rate till the coils bind.

By moving the keeper up on the strut you are not making the springs stiffer, you have just moved the " resting " point up from the trucks weight minus the length you have made the spring shorter because the spring hat is a fixed height.

Depending on what you are not happy with regarding the ride with the combo you have now adding a stiffer spring might make it worse than what you have now. Just saying " I'm not happy " gives no information that anybody here can use to make an educated guess at what you need.

Lets go back to the beginning, have you swapped out the rear shocks too? They are the ones than make the truck ( assuming they are stock ) ride like a boat in the waves, rocking back and forth nonstop because they do not have enough resistance to the motion created by a movement of the suspension. If you have not, I would suggest adding them before screwing with the fronts. The front also does this but Ford got the dampening of the fronts a lot closer to optimal than they did the rear. Adding the Bilstein struts to the front have added dampening to the front. Some folks will call it " stiffer ", I personally do not like that term, it's kind of a misnomer. Added dampening slows a deflection, too much of this and it will seem harsh like you have no suspension movement at all. Adding a stiffer spring rate to this condition will make it worse not better, you will get even less movement for a given deflection load. You will be the first guy here thinking the front Bilsteins are too harsh that I have read. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that what you want appears to be different than the norms on 5g. Ride " feel " for comfort is totally subjective.

Can you explain what it is doing that you do not enjoy specifically.

I figured the fronts were progressive. Didn't know they were fixed rate. I changed the rear shocks first an was very pleased with the improvement. Changing the front makes it seem more "busy" on minor imperfections which add up to a major annoyance on the roads around here. I was hoping the fronts would give an comply more without upsetting the truck. I haven't owned a truck in over 15 years maybe I'm expecting too much ride quality out of a truck.

 

[Pinepig]

I figured the fronts were progressive. Didn't know they were fixed rate. I changed the rear shocks first an was very pleased with the improvement. Changing the front makes it seem more "busy" on minor imperfections which add up to a major annoyance on the roads around here. I was hoping the fronts would give an comply more without upsetting the truck. I haven't owned a truck in over 15 years maybe I'm expecting too much ride quality out of a truck.

More " busy " makes it sound like there is more movement than you would like but only on the small chop ( crap streets ). That is because of the stiffer dampening of the Bilsteins vs Stock. The stock struts do just fine on the small stuff because they allow movement on very small loads, they fail in the larger stuff when larger loads just blow right through their capability and you get this back and forth action while the shock works it's way back to loads it can handle. They do make shocks that can handle both conditions very well and are user adjustable to really suit your liking, the issue here is cost, they are NOT cheap.

To try and make it a bit more compliant on the small chop try lowering the PSI in your front tires 1 or 2 lbs, it'll make more difference than you would think.

I have the Ford Performance Fox 2.0 coilover setup on my ranger, I like it a LOT but I run my front tires ( 265/70-18 wildpeaks ) at 28psi measured cold ( 30 is recommended ) to get exactly what you are seeking. Streets in California are in awful shape. Where it really shines is the forrest service dirt roads we have all over, drop to 24 psi and it's like driving down the freeway, you hardly feel any of it. The struts do their job keeping the truck steady and the lower tire pressure fixes the small stuff ( teeth rattling bullshit ). Traveling down the same dirt road at 30 psi vs 24 psi is truly a night and day difference. it's the exact same issue on the street as far as the feeling in your bottom is concerned. You can't feel what the surface is made out of only the contour.

 

[Trigganometry]

Reading through this thread I’m wondering if your front to back are the same family of shocks or not. Mix and match can be just as detrimental.

 

[TonkaFX4]

I figured the fronts were progressive. Didn't know they were fixed rate. I changed the rear shocks first an was very pleased with the improvement. Changing the front makes it seem more "busy" on minor imperfections which add up to a major annoyance on the roads around here. I was hoping the fronts would give an comply more without upsetting the truck. I haven't owned a truck in over 15 years maybe I'm expecting too much ride quality out of a truck.

Well I have emailed the H&R spring folks to find out spring rate and they are out till the 3rd.Factory coils are 550 pounds .In comparison All Dogs Off Road sells some that are 600 pound springs and provide 1.25 lift on factory shocks or about 1.85 lift on the Bilstein on the second from bottom notch.Belltech coil overs I explored and they have 628 pound springs on their adjustable coil over.I agree Running the Bilstein at the 1.8 and above ride quality suffers. It is much stiffer.I moved mine back to 1.2 setting . The streets in Charleston SC downtown are terrible.
My previous vehicle (2017 Ram 1500 ecodiesel)rode a fair amount better so I was spoiled. I haven’t give up on the Ranger ride yet . After holidays I will try one of the 3 options I mentioned.

 

[Langwilliams]

Well I have emailed the H&R spring folks to find out spring rate and they are out till the 3rd.Factory coils are 550 pounds .In comparison All Dogs Off Road sells some that are 600 pound springs and provide 1.25 lift on factory shocks or about 1.85 lift on the Bilstein on the second from bottom notch.Belltech coil overs I explored and they have 628 pound springs on their adjustable coil over.I agree Running the Bilstein at the 1.8 and above ride quality suffers. It is much stiffer.I moved mine back to 1.2 setting . The streets in Charleston SC downtown are terrible.
My previous vehicle (2017 Ram 1500 ecodiesel)rode a fair amount better so I was spoiled. I haven’t give up on the Ranger ride yet . After holidays I will try one of the 3 options I mentioned.

I think the Eibach springs are 600 lb. If you think of it when you get the spring rate from H&R let me know, or your results with what ever you try.

 

[TonkaFX4]

I think the Eibach springs are 600 lb. If you think of it when you get the spring rate from H&R let me know, or your results with what ever you try.

Well here is what they said,
Chris,



Good morning and thank you for the interest in H&R products.



The rates you have requested are unfortunately not available to the public. We have chosen not to release these due to no industry standard on how this number is tested/achieved.



Our adventure raising springs are going to be progressive in the vehicle with an increased rate over factory. This of course will maximize performance while maintaining as much ride quality as possible.



I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

 

[Langwilliams]

Well here is what they said,
Chris,



Good morning and thank you for the interest in H&R products.



The rates you have requested are unfortunately not available to the public. We have chosen not to release these due to no industry standard on how this number is tested/achieved.



Our adventure raising springs are going to be progressive in the vehicle with an increased rate over factory. This of course will maximize performance while maintaining as much ride quality as possible.



I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Well that's not much help. I'm thinking replacing the rears might be a bigger improvement anyway. Thanks for letting me know what they said.

 

[Metalshift]

Were your upper arms in a ride height neutral position and THEN tightened against the rubber bushings ? This will affect ride quality.
I assume the bottom bushings were released during the wheel alignment.
Tire type, tread and pressure also affect ride quality.

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