AZRanger
Well-Known Member
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- #1
I’ve had this kit installed for a couple thousand miles now and I’d thought I’d share my experience, since there isn’t much information out there for these shocks. This will not be an install guide as the kit goes in just like any other coil over/rear leaf kit would. (took about 9 hours for me even with a lift, I did encounter issues though like dislocating a cv). Only difference would be how they mount the reservoirs, but those are pretty easy. I also won’t go into detail about the leaf packs, since there’s other threads on those. The kit comes with medium load springs.
In this kit you should receive: 2 medium load leaf springs, 2 side-specific front coil over shocks, 2 rear side-specific shocks, 2 rear shackles, 2 greasable pins, as well as all the hardware kits and bushings. Make sure you have everything before you install this kit. I did not, i ended up receiving 2 passenger side reservoir mounting brackets instead of 1 driver and 1 passenger. I reached out to @Stage3Motorsports, who then got ahold of arb, and I received a new front hardware kit in less than 24 hours.
Next I’ll go over each of the key features of these bad boys.
Bypasses: The main selling point of the shocks. (Bp= bypass). On a normal high end shock a bypass let’s you go faster by letting the oil go through multiple passages versus just one. To my understanding, arb uses this technology and gears it more toward ride comfort. All the little annoying rocks and bumps that slow a stock truck down are no longer a problem. I find the bp51s to be very comfortable off road.
Adjustability: These shocks have a huge range of adjustment. You can adjust your compression and rebound to your liking. I personally found I liked setting 3-4 on each, which is a little stiffer than what arb recommends for an empty truck, but it’s just personal preference. The front coil overs are adjustable for added weight as well. You can change the preload on the spring. Before you install: make sure you have the preload set to what is appropriate for your weight. The instructions walk you through how to do this.
the rear shocks also have rock guards which is a nice feature
Reservoirs: These basically give you more oil capacity. Which in turn reduces heat. This lets you be offroad for huge amounts of time without overheating your shocks and experiencing shock fade, or blowing seals. (Should this happen, these shocks are fully rebuildable, and have a 36k mile warranty).
My takeaways: I really like this kit. I’ve installed these on many customers vehicles in the past and was always impressed. I knew I wanted to wait for this kit to come available for the ranger. The ability to adjust your shocks on the fly is a huge advantage. Too bouncy? Turn up rebound damping. Too stiff? Turn down compression damping. Losing traction on corrugated/washboard roads? Turn up damping to keep that tire on the dirt. Arb does a great job in their instruction manual on situational adjustments.
Overall if you’re willing to shell out the money, and are looking for more of a long distance “overland” truck, these are the shocks to get. If you’re looking for go-fast shocks, I would look elsewhere. Though these don’t do a bad job at it.
In this kit you should receive: 2 medium load leaf springs, 2 side-specific front coil over shocks, 2 rear side-specific shocks, 2 rear shackles, 2 greasable pins, as well as all the hardware kits and bushings. Make sure you have everything before you install this kit. I did not, i ended up receiving 2 passenger side reservoir mounting brackets instead of 1 driver and 1 passenger. I reached out to @Stage3Motorsports, who then got ahold of arb, and I received a new front hardware kit in less than 24 hours.
Next I’ll go over each of the key features of these bad boys.
Bypasses: The main selling point of the shocks. (Bp= bypass). On a normal high end shock a bypass let’s you go faster by letting the oil go through multiple passages versus just one. To my understanding, arb uses this technology and gears it more toward ride comfort. All the little annoying rocks and bumps that slow a stock truck down are no longer a problem. I find the bp51s to be very comfortable off road.
Adjustability: These shocks have a huge range of adjustment. You can adjust your compression and rebound to your liking. I personally found I liked setting 3-4 on each, which is a little stiffer than what arb recommends for an empty truck, but it’s just personal preference. The front coil overs are adjustable for added weight as well. You can change the preload on the spring. Before you install: make sure you have the preload set to what is appropriate for your weight. The instructions walk you through how to do this.
the rear shocks also have rock guards which is a nice feature
Reservoirs: These basically give you more oil capacity. Which in turn reduces heat. This lets you be offroad for huge amounts of time without overheating your shocks and experiencing shock fade, or blowing seals. (Should this happen, these shocks are fully rebuildable, and have a 36k mile warranty).
My takeaways: I really like this kit. I’ve installed these on many customers vehicles in the past and was always impressed. I knew I wanted to wait for this kit to come available for the ranger. The ability to adjust your shocks on the fly is a huge advantage. Too bouncy? Turn up rebound damping. Too stiff? Turn down compression damping. Losing traction on corrugated/washboard roads? Turn up damping to keep that tire on the dirt. Arb does a great job in their instruction manual on situational adjustments.
Overall if you’re willing to shell out the money, and are looking for more of a long distance “overland” truck, these are the shocks to get. If you’re looking for go-fast shocks, I would look elsewhere. Though these don’t do a bad job at it.
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