Upgrades + Big Bend Adventure

[RangerMags]

I've had my Ranger for a few years but have just now finally made some changes and was able to get them done right before a big trip to Big Bend. We did about 2k total miles with about 100+ being offroad where we did Ole Ore Road & Black Gap as well as many other lesser known 4x4 roads. Ranger did it all without issue.

What I had done:
- Bilstein 6112 set to 2.5in up front and 5160s in the rear
- BDS 1in shackle in the rear
- SPC adjustable upper control arms
- Readylift high clearance crash bars
- Black Rhino Voll wheels +25 offset
- White Knuckle rock sliders

Enjoy the pics!

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[Doc]

I've had my Ranger for a few years but have just now finally made some changes and was able to get them done right before a big trip to Big Bend. We did about 2k total miles with about 100+ being offroad where we did Ole Ore Road & Black Gap as well as many other lesser known 4x4 roads. Ranger did it all without issue.

What I had done:
- Bilstein 6112 set to 2.5in up front and 5160s in the rear
- BDS 1in shackle in the rear
- SPC adjustable upper control arms
- Readylift high clearance crash bars
- Black Rhino Voll wheels +25 offset
- White Knuckle rock sliders

Enjoy the pics!

Nice !

 

[veedubtuner]

I've had my Ranger for a few years but have just now finally made some changes and was able to get them done right before a big trip to Big Bend. We did about 2k total miles with about 100+ being offroad where we did Ole Ore Road & Black Gap as well as many other lesser known 4x4 roads. Ranger did it all without issue.

What I had done:
- Bilstein 6112 set to 2.5in up front and 5160s in the rear
- BDS 1in shackle in the rear
- SPC adjustable upper control arms
- Readylift high clearance crash bars
- Black Rhino Voll wheels +25 offset
- White Knuckle rock sliders

Enjoy the pics!

Amazing looking trip and a nice looking setup you got there!!

 

[subquark]

I've had my Ranger for a few years but have just now finally made some changes and was able to get them done right before a big trip to Big Bend. We did about 2k total miles with about 100+ being offroad where we did Ole Ore Road & Black Gap as well as many other lesser known 4x4 roads. Ranger did it all without issue.

What I had done:
- Bilstein 6112 set to 2.5in up front and 5160s in the rear
- BDS 1in shackle in the rear
- SPC adjustable upper control arms
- Readylift high clearance crash bars
- Black Rhino Voll wheels +25 offset
- White Knuckle rock sliders

Enjoy the pics!

Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory lane. So many fond memories of Big Bend!

I went to the University of Houston and University of Texas for Geology and was a field assistant for several Big Bend field trips.

That meant I'd go early, in my '72 FJ40, and get sites ready for field classes.

Man, what a beautiful part of the world.

Thanks for all the great pics and bringing me right back to the early '80s! =)

 

[RangerMags]

Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory lane. So many fond memories of Big Bend!

I went to the University of Houston and University of Texas for Geology and was a field assistant for several Big Bend field trips.

That meant I'd go early, in my '72 FJ40, and get sites ready for field classes.

Man, what a beautiful part of the world.

Thanks for all the great pics and bringing me right back to the early '80s! =)

Glad I could help bring back some memories. It's an incredible place and was an amazing time. Still having trouble adjusting back to my normal schedule after going. Already licking my chops for what the next trip is.

 

[RangerPNW]

I've had my Ranger for a few years but have just now finally made some changes and was able to get them done right before a big trip to Big Bend. We did about 2k total miles with about 100+ being offroad where we did Ole Ore Road & Black Gap as well as many other lesser known 4x4 roads. Ranger did it all without issue.

What I had done:
- Bilstein 6112 set to 2.5in up front and 5160s in the rear
- BDS 1in shackle in the rear
- SPC adjustable upper control arms
- Readylift high clearance crash bars
- Black Rhino Voll wheels +25 offset
- White Knuckle rock sliders

Enjoy the pics!

How are you liking the 6112's and 5160's? I'm thinking of swapping over to those from my Fox 2.0's to better handle the weight in my bed and for future towing.

 

[RangerMags]

How are you liking the 6112's and 5160's? I'm thinking of swapping over to those from my Fox 2.0's to better handle the weight in my bed and for future towing.

I'm really liking them so far. They absorb bumps and imperfections MUCH better than stock and the truck has less of that boat like sway. There are so many options between Fox, Icon, Eibach, OME & Bilstein. These aren't soft and they aren't stiff, kinda right in the middle. I didn't want too soft of a suspension because I wanted good on road handling but still wanted the off-road comfort and capability. I also factored in suspension maintenance and Fox + Icon need to be rebuilt frequently while the Bilsteins do not. When also considering that this is a 2.5 body shock up front and the rears have a resi, for the price this was a no brainer. I have no complaints yet. I will be getting new leaf springs as well since that is probably the only thing left holding back my suspension set up. As for weight handling with this suspension combo on the stock mono-leaf - I had a constant 4-600lbs in the bed and no issues off-road and virtually no sag.

 

[RangerPNW]

I'm really liking them so far. They absorb bumps and imperfections MUCH better than stock and the truck has less of that boat like sway. There are so many options between Fox, Icon, Eibach, OME & Bilstein. These aren't soft and they aren't stiff, kinda right in the middle. I didn't want too soft of a suspension because I wanted good on road handling but still wanted the off-road comfort and capability. I also factored in suspension maintenance and Fox + Icon need to be rebuilt frequently while the Bilsteins do not. When also considering that this is a 2.5 body shock up front and the rears have a resi, for the price this was a no brainer. I have no complaints yet. I will be getting new leaf springs as well since that is probably the only thing left holding back my suspension set up. As for weight handling with this suspension combo on the stock mono-leaf - I had a constant 4-600lbs in the bed and no issues off-road and virtually no sag.

Good to hear! My Fox's were great up until i put the canopy on, now its clear the rear doesn't have enough dampening as its easier to fully blow throw my travel (up or down). I'll probably get a set of bilsteins come tax time, just gotta order the parts i need to assemble them since I definitely threw my old front assemblies away...

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