Can anyone give me their thoughts about my potential suspension upgrades?

[SBDB20']

After taking it out on a couple camping trips and getting rutted in mud for the first time, I'm about ready for some changes. I currently have the Ford Performance Fox suspension, and I realize now that I probably could've done much better with something else, but its what I got. It gives 2 inches of lift, when I got in the mud last time I was high centered and stuck on my diff and spare tire.

As well as leaving my spare in the bed, I realize I need to do a little more for my suspension. I'm looking at getting global leaf springs that come off of the euro wildtrak version. There was a thread here that spent a lot of time talking about them, seems like they're generally a great upgrade for a smoother ride. Also compared to the lariat single leaf suspension I should get ~1 inch of lift. That plays in to the rough country UCAs that work with 3.5 inches of lift. So added together I should have 3 inches which would hopefully fit with the UCAs?

It's a bit of a reach, and I haven't seen anyone have issues with fitment but who knows what kind of can of worms I'm opening up with this. All in all the upgrades are still gonna be within the 1k range of pricing which isn't that bad considering that a set of ICON UCAs are $1,400 alone haha.

Thoughts? Also sorry if this is in the wrong thread, I'm still a little fresh to posting.

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[Msfitoy]

Unless you're looking at an extreme lift beyond 3" and 35-40" tires, only driving technique can prevent you from high centering...

 

[Jhbryaniv]

You get what you pay for....

How are you getting to 3.5 inches in the front? Are you planning to change out the front suspension? If you're planning to max the fox adjustable I read or watched a video about not doing that for some reason... (I know not helpful.) might have been one of the shock surplus youtube videos or something.

Also if you got stuck on a diff adding more suspension lift isn't going to fix that, bigger tires and taking different lines would help...

 

[Joeiconic]

if you high-centered in mud, an extra inch of lift probably only means you would have gone an inch deeper.

 

[kendive]

I'm pretty impressed with the Tremor Fox Shocks.

 

[Frenchy]

So if you did a high center off the rear Diff then what you want to do is get some bigger tires for where you are going. Personally I found 285/70-17's to do very well for the Ranger as long as the tires were light and power was there. For me I Ran the Firestone Destination XT's and to say the least I liked them a lot. So far I found them to be lighter than other All-Terrain tires in the same size and load class.

That is what I would look at first.

 

[RK Racing]

Very happy with this….. running 34’s.

 

[QuickSilver]

…as others here have said larger tires help clear the rear diff. Higher lift helps to clear larger tires and raise the body to prevent body damage. Tires type will also help a ton, A/T vs M/T.

285/70/17 as Frenchy said will do very well Offroad. The weak spots I have found so far, in the rocks, are the breakover angle which can be managed with rock sliders and the departure angle, which can be managed with either high clearance bumpers or bumpers with bars/ sliders under. (Next on my list)

going 3+ inches (prod 3.5 -4) on the front and you need to be aware of the CV axles, the more angle the more wear and possibility of breaking. Which can be helped by beefier CV’s or a diff drop which is controversial but depends on how much it lowers the diff vs how much more you gain by larger tires etc.

 

[SBDB20']

man good thing I asked first.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

After taking it out on a couple camping trips and getting rutted in mud for the first time, I'm about ready for some changes. I currently have the Ford Performance Fox suspension, and I realize now that I probably could've done much better with something else, but its what I got. It gives 2 inches of lift, when I got in the mud last time I was high centered and stuck on my diff and spare tire.

As well as leaving my spare in the bed, I realize I need to do a little more for my suspension. I'm looking at getting global leaf springs that come off of the euro wildtrak version. There was a thread here that spent a lot of time talking about them, seems like they're generally a great upgrade for a smoother ride. Also compared to the lariat single leaf suspension I should get ~1 inch of lift. That plays in to the rough country UCAs that work with 3.5 inches of lift. So added together I should have 3 inches which would hopefully fit with the UCAs?

It's a bit of a reach, and I haven't seen anyone have issues with fitment but who knows what kind of can of worms I'm opening up with this. All in all the upgrades are still gonna be within the 1k range of pricing which isn't that bad considering that a set of ICON UCAs are $1,400 alone haha.

Thoughts? Also sorry if this is in the wrong thread, I'm still a little fresh to posting.

I am confused by what you are saying. Leaf springs will not lift your front end, at all. How much are the wildtak springs, including shipping? The Icon leaf springs have 3 different configurations and are reasonably priced, especially when bought through Frank at Stage 3 Motorsports. They also ride excellent. I maxed them out on weight, which is the only reason I took them off Argento. UCAs are not $1400 either, unless you are getting top end versions. Mine were less than 1/2 that price. I went Icon tubular. They've been great.

I am at 3.5" lift in the front, achieved by the OME HD struts up front and 1" tophat spacers, Icon UCAs. I have the OME 2.2 medium duty springs in the rear. I. have 285/75r17 Toyo Open Country ATIIIs.

I don't high center very often, and my diff clearance is lowered slightly because of the Rough Country diff skid. Suspension allows for bigger tires, bigger tires offer more ground clearance at the things that are lowest. Ultimately though, line choice is your best friend. Sometimes, you can't do better, which is why a winch is a solid piece to have on the truck (or at least a friend with a tow strap who can pull you out).

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