Leaf pack questions

[Hurricayne]

I just installed a 2" leveling coilover set on the front of my 2019 Ranger and added Timbrens to the rear. I plan to carry about 1,000 lbs in the back full-time. Given the front lift, I expect some squat in the rear even with the timbrens.

I have a few questions before buying anything:

1. What are the best options (under $500) to keep the truck level?

2. How much lift will I need in the rear to match the front?

3. Should I replace the leaf packs or use a Hellwig add-a-leaf? maybe something else i don't know?

4. If I install rear shocks rated for a 1.5"-3.5" lift, will they actually lift the truck, or do I still need to lift via the leaf springs?

5. If I lift the rear, will I need new shocks with longer travel?

Thanks for any advice!

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[Big Blue]

I just installed a 2" leveling coilover set on the front of my 2019 Ranger and added Timbrens to the rear. I plan to carry about 1,000 lbs in the back full-time. Given the front lift, I expect some squat in the rear even with the timbrens.

I have a few questions before buying anything:

1. What are the best options (under $500) to keep the truck level?

2. How much lift will I need in the rear to match the front?

3. Should I replace the leaf packs or use a Hellwig add-a-leaf? maybe something else i don't know?

4. If I install rear shocks rated for a 1.5"-3.5" lift, will they actually lift the truck, or do I still need to lift via the leaf springs?

5. If I lift the rear, will I need new shocks with longer travel?

Thanks for any advice!

OK, only have a few comments. First one with 1000 lbs in the bed of your truck you have basically used up your entire payload capacity. The Ranger is really only a half-ton truck. Remember the payload numbers on your door sticker includes you and your passengers and any other modifications you have done that add weight. I hope you are not planning to tow anything, as tongue weight and weight of the hitch are also included as payload.

to answer a few of your questions: 4 and 5, No shocks do not lift the truck. extended shocks are only to account for the extra length required on a lifted vehicle.

Finally nothing you do to the suspension will increase payload rating. You must stay below the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck.

 

[Hurricayne]

OK, only have a few comments. First one with 1000 lbs in the bed of your truck you have basically used up your entire payload capacity. The Ranger is really only a half-ton truck. Remember the payload numbers on your door sticker includes you and your passengers and any other modifications you have done that add weight. I hope you are not planning to tow anything, as tongue weight and weight of the hitch are also included as payload.

to answer a few of your questions: 4 and 5, No shocks do not lift the truck. extended shocks are only to account for the extra length required on a lifted vehicle.

Finally nothing you do to the suspension will increase payload rating. You must stay below the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck.

Appreciate it. 1000lbs will include the stuff in the back, gas and gear. Not including me and my girlfriend (300lbs total), so I'm under my 1650 limit by 350lbs.

Just want to avoid any squat. Thanks!

 

[Dereku]

I would avoid the top mount helwig springs. We have single leafs, not the best for adding another load to. It creates a weak point. A true add a leaf would probably get what you want. Or some tremor take offs. Better ride and 1/2 inch lift.

 

[OFC Ranger]

For under $500?

Add a leafs are your only option.

Autospring makes a 750lb set for the Rangers;

https://autospringkits.com/product/2019-2023-ford-ranger-rear-add-a-leaf-kit/

Autospring is the manufacturer most other vendors repackage and sell. I know my Peak Suspension AALs for my ZR2 are just drop shipped auto springs.

 

[rang19ca]

You might also look into Super Springs, which are a helper spring. We used to put these on the older Rangers to get the sag out when loading the beer keg deliveries.

 

[Frenchy]

For under 500 bucks you're not going to get anything that will cure your problem. Personally I would recommend a new set of leaf springs meant to work with the shocks and struts that you have. That said since I don't really know too much of what you're wanting to do, it's hard to make a recommendation

 

[OFC Ranger]

AALs are nothing more than a stop gap product before buying a set of actual purpose intended heavy duty leaf packs.

They will do the job, but are generally should not be the final end point. I say this as someone running AALs and rear air bags on my current setup until I can arrange to have custom packs made. (at which time I will get rid of both the AALs and the bags)

It is like taking an AR-15 for squirrel hunting, sure it will kill the damn things the same as a .22 rifle, but its the wrong tool for the job.

You will not get smooth articulation with AALs as its a single progression through one single heavy duty leaf vs multiples with a progression curve through the compression. Now I am not saying AALs are not worth the money, temporarily, but they should be viewed as just that. For a few hundred bucks you get to address rear sag as well as have more stability while driving with a heavy load, which is better than nothing.

 

[ControlNode]

Don't forget to look outside the US for spring options, in most other countries (outside NA) they had a multi-leaf (3x2) setup. You can get a used pair of OE springs shipped for about $250 if you shop around. Also, outside the US this gen Ranger running from 2011-2022 means there are likely more options even aftermarket.

 

[yuck6]

I did a slight lift on my truck in the front but I tow a heavyish trailer and had a similar problem to you.

https://activesuspension.com/

I used this product as my solution. It works as expected the only thing is unloaded my rear has a squeak now that I can’t make go away but I don’t care that much.

 

[yuck6]

I found a photo and if you can understand my notes it gave an approx 1” lift in the rear and then when loaded with trailer provided and extra 1/2” of height.

 

[got3fords]

Finally nothing you do to the suspension will increase payload rating. You must stay below the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck.

Re: AutoSpring Add a Leaf. "This kit will raise the rear @1-1/2 to 2 inches and increase your factory carrying capacity an additional 750 lbs."

 

[Glocker]

I'm running the Autospring add-a-leaf. It is a stiffer ride on speed bumps but handles a loaded truck nicely. Towing my boat with it rocked too.

 

[Big Blue]

Re: AutoSpring Add a Leaf. "This kit will raise the rear @1-1/2 to 2 inches and increase your factory carrying capacity an additional 750 lbs."

Nothing will increase the factory RATED CAPACITY, which is based on much more than springs. It has to do with the frame and axle ratings. Just changing springs will not turn a half-ton truck into a one-ton truck. It will only handle the rated load better.

 

[Glocker]

Nothing will increase the factory RATED CAPACITY, which is based on much more than springs. It has to do with the frame and axle ratings. Just changing springs will not turn a half-ton truck into a one-ton truck. It will only handle the rated load better.

You're mostly right.
There are things you can do to "maximize your load capacity", but you can also increase your load capacity. Often, the frame and axles aren't maxed out, and PROPER suspension modifications can increase the capacity.

But typically gains aren't huge.

This subject is really looked at hard in Australia, where the government pays more attention to the enforcement of load rating for noncommercial vehicles. Suspension mods are kind of certified over there based on the level of capacity increase. The off road crowd over there tends to load their trucks to crazy levels with gear and canopy systems and they have to bring their capacity up with those extra goodies.

ETA:
I should add, you can actually increase you capacity rating, but it's no longer a FACTORY rating. : )

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