Our Rear Leaf Springs Suck?

[onobeka]

It's pretty amazing that about the only better part of the Ranger in the rest of the world compared to USDM are the rear leaf springs. We get the multi-leaf pack up till this day. It's not too harsh and IMHO a better design than a single or two leaf set.

My version is a Limited, which means leather seats and all the interior bells and whistles, which also means comfort oriented, has a three leaf pack + two overload leaves (.

I've also added a very short add-a-leaf, to gain some lift in the back. Taking advice from you guys, I've replaced my shocks with an Ironman Nitrogas set. What a pleasant ride!!! It's definitely firmer, but it keeps the back planted.

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[Glocker]

It's pretty amazing that about the only better part of the Ranger in the rest of the world compared to USDM are the rear leaf springs. We get the multi-leaf pack up till this day. It's not too harsh and IMHO a better design than a single or two leaf set.

My version is a Limited, which means leather seats and all the interior bells and whistles, which also means comfort oriented, has a three leaf pack + two overload leaves (.

I've also added a very short add-a-leaf, to gain some lift in the back. Taking advice from you guys, I've replaced my shocks with an Ironman Nitrogas set. What a pleasant ride!!! It's definitely firmer, but it keeps the back planted.

I know. The rear suspension seems to be a huge let-down on these trucks. I absolutely love my Ranger! But Just by changing out the rear shocks it made a huge improvement to the truck. Our leaf packs compared to a real truck's (sorry!) is just a joke!

I'll continue to improve the small things that are wrong with my Ranger, but my wife is getting angry! LOL

 

[Glocker]

I think this may be what you are looking for. https://automotiveperformancegroup.com/product/apg-hd-progressive-leaf-spring-kit/

I'd love to do the Deaver springs but my wife would divorce me!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hmmm, it looks like @Glocker and @AzScorpion are collaborating to mod an anti-sway bar into a dual tailgate damper. I’m not sure where that leaf spring comes into play but I’d bet it’s a new closure assist mechanism. Interesting.

 

[Glocker]

Hmmm, it looks like @Glocker and @AzScorpion are collaborating to mod an anti-sway bar into a dual tailgate damper. I’m not sure where that leaf spring comes into play but I’d bet it’s a new closure assist mechanism. Interesting.

? ? ? ?
Stand back because this thing opens with force! You need to winch your tailgate shut though. BoooooO!

 

[onobeka]

BTW: do US trucks have aluminium tailgates like the European model as of 2019? Mine has a steel one, it is heavy as hell. So the dampers are a huge improvement, however mine do no help with the lifting part. For me it's not an issue, I am a powerlifter, but not all my family are. Some of the premium versions of the 2019+ Rangers do come with a torsion bar. Do you know of an aftermarket option like that? I've heard of a dual damper that can help with both sides of the tailgate operation but I have not seen one in practice.



Aaaaand ... found my answer:

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

BTW: do US trucks have aluminium tailgates like the European model as of 2019? Mine has a steel one, it is heavy as hell. So the dampers are a huge improvement, however mine do no help with the lifting part. For me it's not an issue, I am a powerlifter, but not all my family are. Some of the premium versions of the 2019+ Rangers do come with a torsion bar. Do you know of an aftermarket option like that? I've heard of a dual damper that can help with both sides of the tailgate operation but I have not seen one in practice.



Aaaaand ... found my answer:

AZScorpion Porn!

 

[Trigganometry]

? ? ? ?
Stand back because this thing opens with force! You need to winch your tailgate shut though. BoooooO!

Like the old Ford model T’s stand in front and crank it shut

 

[Glocker]

BTW: do US trucks have aluminium tailgates like the European model as of 2019? Mine has a steel one, it is heavy as hell. So the dampers are a huge improvement, however mine do no help with the lifting part. For me it's not an issue, I am a powerlifter, but not all my family are. Some of the premium versions of the 2019+ Rangers do come with a torsion bar. Do you know of an aftermarket option like that? I've heard of a dual damper that can help with both sides of the tailgate operation but I have not seen one in practice.



Aaaaand ... found my answer:

The tailgate, hood, and fenders (front only?) on the US spec Rangers are aluminum if I remember correctly.

 

[onobeka]

So, people who have aluminium tailgates on their Rangers are not allowed to complain! .

 

[txquailguy]

I'm nominating Phil for Lifetime Resident-Engineer-In-Chief for ALL Ford Online Forums and if it get's me any points Sexiest Man Alive in the Straight-Man Hall of Fame.

Happy Monday to you ALL.
its like 7F here today and officially colder than a witch's T*T.

The man is a wealth of knowledge!
BTW... It's a balmy 16F (with frozen fog) here in North Central Colo this AM.....brrrrr
It's days like this I wonder why I didn't buy in Austin....lol.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

OP - I had the same issue, once I lifted the front and had any weight in the back, it would sag

Solved the problem with Air-Lift Airbags and Daystar Cradles for off-road use. Setup has worked great so far even when I have close to 750lbs in the bed and towing my 3500lb tent trailer

You sound like you are on the right track with the helper springs

 

[D Fresh]

I think this may be what you are looking for. https://automotiveperformancegroup.com/product/apg-hd-progressive-leaf-spring-kit/

What makes these so spendy? That's virtually double the OME price.

 

[NvrFinished]

What makes these so spendy? That's virtually double the OME price.

Yeah, they are proud of them, aren't they?

One of the differences is that this particular APG rear leaf is designed for Rangers that off road with 500-600 lbs. of gear loaded in the back. It prevents the sag that you would normally get with that much weight on any other spring. In addition, they are a progressive rate spring. I don't know if the OME rear leaf springs are or not. If they are, they don't mention it. If you don't need to worry about carrying around the extra weight all the time, APG has their non HD springs for a few hundred dollars less. Both APG springs also include the shorter Raptor bump stop to gain back the clearance you would lose from the thicker leaf pack.

 

[Rviator]

This is a great thread giving real world examples as to why adding a front end level for purely aesthetic reasons may not a good idea. It may be good to add additional clearance for off roading, but you've compromised the ability of the vehicle to carry a load.
I installed helper springs on a '95 Dodge 2500 Cummins turbo diesel to assist with hauling my fifth wheel. Over time they started to deform the stock springs. I ended up removing them and buying a bigger truck.

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