Humm... perhaps a solution for lowering the Ranger rear end...??? (jk)

[Msfitoy]

From Facebook:
Aaron Cooper
Design originated in Southern California. The picture here does not show the coil over shock absorber bolted in. I have built a few of these systems. They are called a mezzanine link system. A standard upper triangulated 4 link locates the real axle and dictates load transfer points etc.
The purpose of this system is to free up room in a pre-runner SUV for back seats or to load the back of chassis on a short wheel base vehicle while maintaining a shock motion ratio that is suitable for the fast suspension speeds we see on desert off road vehicles. We slow down the shock velocity intentionally.

I take it this gizmo is for lifting the rear end back up because of the added 500lbs of gizmo which lowered the rear end? Sounds brilliant!

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[PltFX4]

I take it this gizmo is for lifting the rear end back up because of the added 500lbs of gizmo which lowered the rear end? Sounds brilliant!

Have no idea!! Just saw the photo and thought of all options for dealing with the Ranger rear spring situation and figured this one should be added to the pile.

Gut reactions was this must be some kind of BMW or Mercedes engineering... (lol.. or more likely a Rube Goldberg type solution)... just way over complicated intended for those that have way to much money and looking for a place to spend it.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Those type suspensions systems ride very well, fully adjustable, really nice, but expensive and a lot of work.

I just de-arched a set of the global springs 1.5" (same height as Tremor without the 2nd overload) and then cut the first two bulbs off the stock bump stops. It sits level now, I did have to adj the pinon angle.

 

[TomSim]

From Facebook:
Aaron Cooper
Design originated in Southern California. The picture here does not show the coil over shock absorber bolted in. I have built a few of these systems. They are called a mezzanine link system. A standard upper triangulated 4 link locates the real axle and dictates load transfer points etc.
The purpose of this system is to free up room in a pre-runner SUV for back seats or to load the back of chassis on a short wheel base vehicle while maintaining a shock motion ratio that is suitable for the fast suspension speeds we see on desert off road vehicles. We slow down the shock velocity intentionally.

remove the leaf springs altogther and instal an air spring system that deflates when you turn the engine of or you have a dash switch to dump the air

 

[Rocketeer61]

I'm trying to remember where I read this, but the quote was "Give people what they want and they get bored." Ford must be thinking of our well-being, otherwise they would have just done this right in the first place.

 

[TomSim]

 

[TomSim]

 

[SparkyRanger]

Those type suspensions systems ride very well, fully adjustable, really nice, but expensive and a lot of work.

I just de-arched a set of the global springs 1.5" (same height as Tremor without the 2nd overload) and then cut the first two bulbs off the stock bump stops. It sits level now, I did have to adj the pinon angle.

do you have any concerns about damaging the rear shocks with too much compression? Mine is typically loaded heavy all the time with tools and materials. When I first loaded it the height was great but was about a finger width from bump stop contact. Of course the ride was poor from constantly hitting the bump stops. I installed the middle height OME leafs which got my height to stock while loaded. I do have the eibach shocks and they seem to be not far from full compression.
That got long. But maybe I need to find a shorter shock, remove a leaf, and trim the bump stops? I would prefer to have a similar wheel arch gap in the rear as the front does at stock height. Meaning level it by dropping the back a little rather than the usual method of lifting the front. I would rather reach my stuff better ?

 

[Fitzmotor]

do you have any concerns about damaging the rear shocks with too much compression? Mine is typically loaded heavy all the time with tools and materials. When I first loaded it the height was great but was about a finger width from bump stop contact. Of course the ride was poor from constantly hitting the bump stops. I installed the middle height OME leafs which got my height to stock while loaded. I do have the eibach shocks and they seem to be not far from full compression.
That got long. But maybe I need to find a shorter shock, remove a leaf, and trim the bump stops? I would prefer to have a similar wheel arch gap in the rear as the front does at stock height. Meaning level it by dropping the back a little rather than the usual method of lifting the front. I would rather reach my stuff better ?

Mine is empty most of the time, I contacted Fox and asked what was the allowable installed height, they referred me to Ford on the installed height, but they said anywhere from 40 to 60% of the travel was a acceptable range, I am right at the top of that range.

I have always lowered the rear of any truck I've had as I have a really bad back and a really heavy ebike I load, the Ranger is one of the tougher ones to lower the back on, as the rear shackle is already short and the front perch is already close to the frame, only leaving a shorter spring as a option, but you have to give up travel.

I haven't installed them yet, but I got the Raptor stops, not much shorter than a trimmed stock Ranger one, I got some short neoprene ones but I haven't installed those either.

The bump stops are not rubbing on the pads, so I've left it, but I only carry a 130# ebike.

The other thing is the driveline angle, it had to be adjusted when I lowered it.

I guess Ford's way of increasing the US payload has been to jack up the back, the Global models have a different setup, rounded U bolts under the axle housing with the bolt plate on top of the spring and a different multi leaf spring, if you notice, pictures of global models look level.

 

[PltFX4]

do you have any concerns about damaging the rear shocks with too much compression? Mine is typically loaded heavy all the time with tools and materials. When I first loaded it the height was great but was about a finger width from bump stop contact. Of course the ride was poor from constantly hitting the bump stops. I installed the middle height OME leafs which got my height to stock while loaded. I do have the eibach shocks and they seem to be not far from full compression.
That got long. But maybe I need to find a shorter shock, remove a leaf, and trim the bump stops? I would prefer to have a similar wheel arch gap in the rear as the front does at stock height. Meaning level it by dropping the back a little rather than the usual method of lifting the front. I would rather reach my stuff better ?

Now that's a working Ranger... nice setup...

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