Stephen Abbene
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Stephen
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2019
- Threads
- 9
- Messages
- 53
- Reaction score
- 99
- Location
- South Bay
- Website
- www.notion.so
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 ford ranger fx4 xlt, 1988 ford ranger 4x4 xlt
- Thread starter
- #1
Hello,
I bought a 2019 XLT FX4 ranger in Sept of 2019. Ive done quit a few road trips in it now and some light off roading. The truck is pretty stock. I added some shrockworks rock sliders, and an ARE topper that I built a deck in for camping. The deck and camping gear stay in the truck 99% of the time. So far its been a great truck.
I'm not sure if this is the correct board to post to, but because I have questions about the engine/suspension/etc this seemed like the best place to me.
What I don't like:
1) When accelerating to pass there is often lag. Some times it is fairly significant between hitting the gas and having the truck respond. This is pretty annoying, and potentially unsafe?
2) The suspension is very soft. Going over even small bumps causes the truck to rock like a boat.
3) On rougher or washboard roads I get a fair amount of bump steer. So far this hasn't been a real issue, but it does feel concerning when the steering wheel is suddenly turned in a direction you don't want to go.
What I really like:
1) I get pretty good gas millage. I recently drove ~2,000 miles from the San Francisco Bay area to Baja California, Mexico and averaged 22.5 mpg. This was a combination of highway, city, dirt, and off road driving.
2) The truck is fairly quiet. Compared to my 1988 ranger or my 2012 accent I get very little road/tire noise.
3) With the deck/camping gear in the back of the truck it sits pretty flat without a leveling kit.
What I would like feedback on:
1) To address the acceleration lag, I was thinking about the Ford Power Pack tune.
2) To address the soft suspension, I was looking at the Fox "Tuned by Ford Performance" 2.0 Performance Series IFP shocks and coils.
3) Any suggestions on what to do for the bump steer?
I bought a 2019 XLT FX4 ranger in Sept of 2019. Ive done quit a few road trips in it now and some light off roading. The truck is pretty stock. I added some shrockworks rock sliders, and an ARE topper that I built a deck in for camping. The deck and camping gear stay in the truck 99% of the time. So far its been a great truck.
I'm not sure if this is the correct board to post to, but because I have questions about the engine/suspension/etc this seemed like the best place to me.
What I don't like:
1) When accelerating to pass there is often lag. Some times it is fairly significant between hitting the gas and having the truck respond. This is pretty annoying, and potentially unsafe?
2) The suspension is very soft. Going over even small bumps causes the truck to rock like a boat.
3) On rougher or washboard roads I get a fair amount of bump steer. So far this hasn't been a real issue, but it does feel concerning when the steering wheel is suddenly turned in a direction you don't want to go.
What I really like:
1) I get pretty good gas millage. I recently drove ~2,000 miles from the San Francisco Bay area to Baja California, Mexico and averaged 22.5 mpg. This was a combination of highway, city, dirt, and off road driving.
2) The truck is fairly quiet. Compared to my 1988 ranger or my 2012 accent I get very little road/tire noise.
3) With the deck/camping gear in the back of the truck it sits pretty flat without a leveling kit.
What I would like feedback on:
1) To address the acceleration lag, I was thinking about the Ford Power Pack tune.
A) Will this actually help with the acceleration lag?
B) From what I have read most people do not see a significant reduction in MPG and some even report a slight increase in fuel efficiency. Is this correct?
C) I am not a particularly aggressive driver. I don't really care about going fast, and rarely tow. I get on the highway and set my cruise control at 70mph and call it a day unless I am passing someone.
D) The rough shifting some people report doesn't really bother me, and happens only occasionally in my truck.
2) To address the soft suspension, I was looking at the Fox "Tuned by Ford Performance" 2.0 Performance Series IFP shocks and coils.
A) It is my understanding that this will lift the truck 1-2 inches.
B) What sort of impact will that have on my MPG?
C) The advertising says that it will level the truck. But because of the deck/camping gear in my truck it is already level. Does this mean I will need to add some blocks to the rear suspension to keep it level?
D) Will my truck look stupid with stock tires and a lift? If so what would be the impact of larger tires on my MPG?
E) Will a lift make the bump steer worse?
3) Any suggestions on what to do for the bump steer?
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