Struts/Shocks

[TruckNorris]

What do you all think of the rough country loaded leveling kit? I have one strut up front leaking, and one rear also. Only have 43k miles on the truck. 4x4

Sponsored

 

[Bob902]

 

[daczone]

What do you all think of the rough country loaded leveling kit? I have one strut up front leaking, and one rear also. Only have 43k miles on the truck. 4x4

 

[Frenchy]

Leveling kits are a bad idea if you plan to lead your truck or tow at all(even if it's ever once in a while). If you do not want to change the height but want an upgraded shock that doesn't suck like the factory ones the Bilstein and Eibach have you covered. Just make sure it's set at 0 and you will be fine. If you want to lift it then make sure you get a kit that will keep rake involved before being loaded like Old Man EMU.

Why keep the rake you ask? Because when you load the truck it level itself out like a truck is supposed to. If you level it out then load it up you will get the Carolina dog squat and then do things like add air bags or sumo springs thinking you fixed your problem (and didn't).

Also between spacer lift to shock and spring, a shock with spring will always be the best way to go. Simple as that

 

[Blmpkn]

I've towed all sorts of crap and have a leveling kit.. few times at or over capacity..

It's fine.

 

[AzScorpion]

I started out this route and then tore it all down and put Eibachs all around. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your money on the level and get some good shocks. They'll make a HUGE improvement on the ride and take away the rear wollowing over bumps and washboards. Eibach, Bilstein or Fox you can't go wrong with any of them. Except for Old Man Emu, those things are junk! ?

 

[Frenchy]

I started out this route and then tore it all down and put Eibachs all around. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your money on the level and get some good shocks. They'll make a HUGE improvement on the ride and take away the rear wollowing over bumps and washboards. Eibach, Bilstein or Fox you can't go wrong with any of them. Except for Old Man Emu, those things are junk! ?

Now you done did it!! GO ON!! GIT!!

 

[cclayton]

I’m getting a leveling kit installed very soon and I was deciding between the RC leveling struts and the Bilstein 5100s. The shop I’m using recommended the Bilsteins over the RC struts. They didn’t provide specifics just that I would be way happier choosing the Bilsteins.

 

[Bob902]

I’m getting a leveling kit installed very soon and I was deciding between the RC leveling struts and the Bilstein 5100s. The shop I’m using recommended the Bilsteins over the RC struts. They didn’t provide specifics just that I would be way happier choosing the Bilsteins.

They're not wrong.

 

[Rockhound]

Don't cheap out on spacers. Add some #2.0Fox or #Kingshocks from @Stage3Motorsports, or your favorite aftermarket suspension company struts and shocks. Put some @OldManEmu or #Deavers in the rear and you will fall in love with your Ranger all over again.

 

[Burnt Money]

I have the RC leveled struts and tow my boat year around with no issues. I have had mine for a little over a year and drive off road a decent amount hunting. I don’t do any crazy off-roading like rock crawling or anything. Living by the coast in SC it’s sand and mud when it comes to off-roading. If I were to do serious off road driving I would have went with something more premium just for the peace of mind I guess. But for what I do they have been great. The reason I went with the RC was at the time all I could find in stock was the Fox 2.5in, Eibach 3in struts and the Rough Country 2.5in. I wanted the Bilstein or Eibach 2.5in though. Rear shocks are the best option to improve ride in my opinion. I have the Bilstein rears.

 

[got3fords]

While mine is not completely level, I did raise about 1.5" in the front with the Eibach's. I don't see any reason you can't raise the front some if you want. I only rarely load it down with something and it doesn't squat much. The good thing about the Eibach's is you can choose 0-3" of lift up front. But I guess if you are going to consistently have a load on the rear, you might need to reconsider the level.
If you change how the front sits, you need to readjust your headlight aim.
BTW, the Ranger does not have struts, they have coil over shocks up front.

 

[Psycho78]

I have the RC leveled struts and tow my boat year around with no issues. I have had mine for a little over a year and drive off road a decent amount hunting. I don’t do any crazy off-roading like rock crawling or anything. Living by the coast in SC it’s sand and mud when it comes to off-roading. If I were to do serious off road driving I would have went with something more premium just for the peace of mind I guess. But for what I do they have been great. The reason I went with the RC was at the time all I could find in stock was the Fox 2.5in, Eibach 3in struts and the Rough Country 2.5in. I wanted the Bilstein or Eibach 2.5in though. Rear shocks are the best option to improve ride in my opinion. I have the Bilstein rears.

I just ordered these RC loaded struts and the Bilstein 5100 for rear. Was going to do 5100 all around but shops want too much to take spring off stock and put on new ($400 with install). I'll install the RC loaded strut myself. My question is with this being a 2.5" lift, does the back squat when you tow the boat? I tow an offroad camper with dirt bike on tongue and at times one in bed. I also bought the Sumo bump stop. I figured with the 5100s in rear and the sumo I should be ok with the front being so high. Really only wanted to go 2" in the front, but being cheap ended that. LOL I really don't rock crawl either. We take our offroad camper down pretty rough trails for a remote spot, then pull out the bikes and play.

One last question. I saw that some say the 5100s in rear actually lift the rear just a little bit. Did you notice that? or no? Would be great if it'd lift it about half an inch. then with Sumo I should be good for sure.

 

[Burnt Money]

I just ordered these RC loaded struts and the Bilstein 5100 for rear. Was going to do 5100 all around but shops want too much to take spring off stock and put on new ($400 with install). I'll install the RC loaded strut myself. My question is with this being a 2.5" lift, does the back squat when you tow the boat? I tow an offroad camper with dirt bike on tongue and at times one in bed. I also bought the Sumo bump stop. I figured with the 5100s in rear and the sumo I should be ok with the front being so high. Really only wanted to go 2" in the front, but being cheap ended that. LOL I really don't rock crawl either. We take our offroad camper down pretty rough trails for a remote spot, then pull out the bikes and play.

One last question. I saw that some say the 5100s in rear actually lift the rear just a little bit. Did you notice that? or no? Would be great if it'd lift it about half an inch. then with Sumo I should be good for sure.

I haven’t noticed it squatting in the rear. I will probably have my boat hooked up tonight if not tomorrow for sure. I will get it on level ground and take a picture and post it. If I remember I will measure before I hook it up and then after to see how much it squats. I didn’t measure the rear fender height before I swapped the rear shocks.

 

[Frenchy]

I just ordered these RC loaded struts and the Bilstein 5100 for rear. Was going to do 5100 all around but shops want too much to take spring off stock and put on new ($400 with install). I'll install the RC loaded strut myself. My question is with this being a 2.5" lift, does the back squat when you tow the boat? I tow an offroad camper with dirt bike on tongue and at times one in bed. I also bought the Sumo bump stop. I figured with the 5100s in rear and the sumo I should be ok with the front being so high. Really only wanted to go 2" in the front, but being cheap ended that. LOL I really don't rock crawl either. We take our offroad camper down pretty rough trails for a remote spot, then pull out the bikes and play.

One last question. I saw that some say the 5100s in rear actually lift the rear just a little bit. Did you notice that? or no? Would be great if it'd lift it about half an inch. then with Sumo I should be good for sure.

Indeed you will squat when loaded if you only replace the shocks in the rear and do a 2.5 lift up front. The Sumo Springs might stop it for now but I would not rely on them much and recommend getting different leafs for the rear in the near future

Sponsored