replacing shocks.

mcdonald58

mcdonald58

New Member
i figured i might as well make the first post in the suspension thread. how often do you guys recommend replacing the shocks. i looked at mine and they arent loooking good all rusted (like the whole underbody).
 
I would think a safe bet at replacing them is about 50k, I have seen them go longer but sometimes it depends on the brand of shocks themselves and their recommendations
 
thats what i was thinking. i thought i remembered that on a sign in my schools shop. how hard are they to replace? maybe ill do them next year in my trans tech class.
 
theyre really easy to replace man. just unbolt them basically and bolt in the new lol. i did mine last spring. dont use an impact to tighten them!! idk wtf i was thinking and i snapped one of the studs the nut screws on. drilling it out sucked but its all good! they arent under pressure/tension so you dont have to worry about it like coils.
 
I think the recommended cycle is 50k. But......STOCK SHOCKS SUCK!!!!!! You'll wanna update/upgrade them anyway.




You can never go wrong with a set of Bilstein Heavy Dutys.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Bilstein-...es&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ae5e2b463#ht_2768wt_1396

The two single best things you could ever do to a car/truck is tires and shocks. Yeah they're a little more spendier than going with normal run of the mill shocks, but at about $10-15 more a shock, you're get ALOT more shock for the little added cost.
 
after posting this thread and realizing im getting pretty close to 50,000. i notice my shocks are heavily rusted. here are some pics.
this one also concerns me because the top part is starting to rust through
shock1.jpg

shock2.jpg

this is the one that really concerns me. it looks as though the top part has rusted off completly. there was part of it on the bottom of the shock.
shock3.jpg

shock4.jpg


can i still wait till next fall or do i have to do these asap?
 
Fx4wannabe01 said:
I think the recommended cycle is 50k. But......STOCK SHOCKS SUCK!!!!!! You'll wanna update/upgrade them anyway.




You can never go wrong with a set of Bilstein Heavy Dutys.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Bilstein-Shocks-90-97-Ford-Ranger-4x4-/390403896419?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ae5e2b463#ht_2768wt_1396

The two single best things you could ever do to a car/truck is tires and shocks. Yeah they're a little more spendier than going with normal run of the mill shocks, but at about $10-15 more a shock, you're get ALOT more shock for the little added cost.
Click to expand...

this!
 
mcdonald58 said:
after posting this thread and realizing im getting pretty close to 50,000. i notice my shocks are heavily rusted. here are some pics.
this one also concerns me because the top part is starting to rust through
shock1.jpg

shock2.jpg

this is the one that really concerns me. it looks as though the top part has rusted off completly. there was part of it on the bottom of the shock.
shock3.jpg

shock4.jpg


can i still wait till next fall or do i have to do these asap?
Click to expand...



Wow, I would do that now.
 
hazard-maine said:
oh wow ummmm, i still have stock shocks and almost have 100xxx miles on it
Click to expand...

Yeahhhhhhhh get on that. You'll thank all of us when you do!

mcdonald58 said:
after posting this thread and realizing im getting pretty close to 50,000. i notice my shocks are heavily rusted. here are some pics.
this one also concerns me because the top part is starting to rust through
shock1.jpg

shock2.jpg

this is the one that really concerns me. it looks as though the top part has rusted off completly. there was part of it on the bottom of the shock.
shock3.jpg

shock4.jpg


can i still wait till next fall or do i have to do these asap?
Click to expand...

You sure it's not 250k? THANK GOD I don't live in rust country!

If your undercarriage looks like that, take a good look at your rear spring shackles and hangers. As well as your cab mounts. All these are common eat areas on Rangers in rust country.

The first pic isn't really much of a deal....most shocks have simple boots where yours have sheetmetal tubes protecting the shaft. Me, bare shafts yo. Bitches love bare shafts. Makes 'em look bigger.

08 Ranger Sport 4X4 said:
this!
Click to expand...

Word!
 
yea im really worried about the truck i think its going to turn into a money pit. i wish i craweled under the truck to look at the under carriage when i was looking to buy it.
 
what are the brands of shocks that you guys recommend? also are the springs next to them called coils. i think i have to replace those also they are pretty rusted.
 
mcdonald58 said:
what do you guys think of putting on a 3 in suspension lift while replacing the shocks. since most of my suspension components are rusted. i would only want 2-3 inches of lift so my current wheels dont look to weird. i found this one http://www.carparts.com/details/Ford/Ranger/Rough_Country/Suspension_Lift_Kit/1997/ROU5038.html?TID=froogle&cprocosuliki97fordranger19831997roughcountryrou50381
Click to expand...

I personally LOVE this idea. BUT...take a look at the description of what you linked: coil spacers, blocks, U-bolts. None of those replace anything that's rusted but the bolts that mount the axle and springs together. I vote for what the picture in the link shows: springs, add-a-leaf, and shocks. Look for a different kit. Something like this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SJA-132K/


But in all reality, your undercarriage isn't that bad. You don't need to spend and extra $250 on springs and an add-a-leaf unless you intend to lift it. If you lift it, you'll need new shocks anyway. So might as well go do it if you wanted to lift it.

Remember, like I said earlier, check your leaf spring shackles and hangers on the frame. Also check your cab mount perches off the frame. These are very common rust spots on these trucks in the rust belt region of the country.
 
yea i just saw that the picture dosent include shocks. i chatted a Representative and he confirmed that it dosent contain. im going to skip the lift for now since i am only 2wd and i dont have that much money.
 
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