HOWTO: rear shock install

[EJH]

Well, I just did this. Installed rear Bilstein 5100's. Sits strangely high in the back now. Will this settle down a bit??

As for the ride, this makes such a big difference. I think the transmission is even smoother.. somehow. Firmer, but most of the harshness is gone but I suppose I'm preaching to the choir here.

How much higher is the rear? If I recall correct, when I installed Fox rear shocks, my rear went up about 0.25"-0.5". The blisteins are stiffer, so may increase the height more? It may settle. I can't recall if mine did...

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[Justin says...]

How much higher is the rear? If I recall correct, when I installed Fox rear shocks, my rear went up about 0.25"-0.5". The blisteins are stiffer, so may increase the height more? It may settle. I can't recall if mine did...

I would estimate it went up by at least an inch. Since I wasn't expecting it I didn't measure before hand.

I guess this height change means I'll be forking over a bunch more money to do the fronts. I hear it's a tough job so I'll pay someone to do it.

 

[Stewthebassman]

So I'm switching out of my 2022 to a 2024 which means take out my Bilsteins and reinstall the original Ford shocks. It would have been fun except it is the dead of winter so I had to bring the truck inside overnight and set some fans on the undercarriage to dry things out.

It was still messy, some crusty dirt got under my safety glasses etc., but overall the swap went well and this time I did not remove the spare tire. I did lower it for the driver's side just a bit. That spare tire lock is so stupid!

Looking forward to getting the new Ranger this afternoon, it has a 301a package so a bit of an upgrade!

Will report back with first impressions!

 

[got3fords]

So I'm switching out of my 2022 to a 2024 which means take out my Bilsteins and reinstall the original Ford shocks. It would have been fun except it is the dead of winter so I had to bring the truck inside overnight and set some fans on the undercarriage to dry things out.

It was still messy, some crusty dirt got under my safety glasses etc., but overall the swap went well and this time I did not remove the spare tire. I did lower it for the driver's side just a bit. That spare tire lock is so stupid!

Looking forward to getting the new Ranger this afternoon, it has a 301a package so a bit of an upgrade!

Will report back with first impressions!

So you are going to reuse the Bilsteins on your '24? How many miles are on them?

 

[ControlNode]

So I'm switching out of my 2022 to a 2024 which means take out my Bilsteins and reinstall the original Ford shocks. It would have been fun except it is the dead of winter so I had to bring the truck inside overnight and set some fans on the undercarriage to dry things out.

It was still messy, some crusty dirt got under my safety glasses etc., but overall the swap went well and this time I did not remove the spare tire. I did lower it for the driver's side just a bit. That spare tire lock is so stupid!

Looking forward to getting the new Ranger this afternoon, it has a 301a package so a bit of an upgrade!

Will report back with first impressions!

Spending money to swap in OE parts, must be fun. Assuming you did the shock R&R properly that is, with new nuts and bolts.

 

[Stewthebassman]

So far the 2024 Ranger feels à bit firmer and more planted than my 2022. I have put about 100kms on the new truck.

I put about 75,000kms on the Bilsteins, so not sure if I'll need them.

Both trucks have the FX4 option.

So you are going to reuse the Bilsteins on your '24? How many miles are on them?

 

[Stewthebassman]

What is EO?

Spending money to swap in EO parts, must be fun. Assuming you did the shock R&R properly that is, with new nuts and bolts.

 

[Chris M]

What is EO?

Equipment Original, maybe?

 

[Stewthebassman]

Equipment Original, maybe?

Good guess!

 

[ControlNode]

What is EO?

opps OE, as in original equipment

 

[Stewthebassman]

What is R&R?

Anyways the swap is easy and if you have read the posts in this thread you see that the upgrade was well worth it. It's hard to tell from a short test drive how the truck will handle with a 6000lb trailer and so this particular upgrade made a big difference, particularly under load.

Spending money to swap in OE parts, must be fun. Assuming you did the shock R&R properly that is, with new nuts and bolts.

 

[ControlNode]

What is R&R?

Anyways the swap is easy and if you have read the posts in this thread you see that the upgrade was well worth it. It's hard to tell from a short test drive how the truck will handle with a 6000lb trailer and so this particular upgrade made a big difference, particularly under load.

R&R is "Remove and Replace", Ford states all those bolts and nuts for the shocks are one time use, so anytime you R&R the rear shocks you are replacing those, if doing the job right. I've already installed the Bilsteins on the back of my Ranger.

 

[got3fords]

So far the 2024 Ranger feels à bit firmer and more planted than my 2022. I have put about 100kms on the new truck.

I put about 75,000kms on the Bilsteins, so not sure if I'll need them.

Both trucks have the FX4 option.

Ok, what am I missing? Why spend the time and effort to revert back to the OE shocks if your not going to reuse the Bilsteins? Why not just leave them on?

 

[Stewthebassman]

I didn't know if the new truck would have lousy rear shocks as well.

And I had kept the OEM shocks so I just gave 'em back!

Ok, what am I missing? Why spend the time and effort to revert back to the OE shocks if your not going to reuse the Bilsteins? Why not just leave them on?

 

[Big Blue]

I didn't know if the new truck would have lousy rear shocks as well.

And I had kept the OEM shocks so I just gave 'em back!

What you also don't know is will the rear shocks that you just spent time changing out, fit on your new truck. They made some pretty significant changes to the 6G rear suspension. Specially the shock placement.

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