Get the bounce out of the rear-end - Suspension Tech - Tech Section

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ShovelheadKevin
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Anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce the "bounce" from my rear-end on my 98 XLT SC 4.0 4x4?
I just did the front-end and it is sweet, now I want the rear to be as friendly.
No lift suggestions....not looking to raise or lower, just looking for info from anyone who has R&R'd their rear suspension.
I've glanced at RA and other vendors but am looking for info for total rebuild/restoration.

**Any P/Ns appreciated. **

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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2018 09:11 pm

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JAMMAN

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Have you replaced the shocks lately? I think shocks are the most neglected maintenance item on any vehicle. They start wearing the minute you take the first drive and slowly go down hill from there. I notice differences in shocks after a year.

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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2018 11:29 pm

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Scrambler82
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New shocks helped my truck ride better, also, I found I needed two different length shocks; stopped my Bounce Steering !

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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2018 11:43 pm

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Dusten
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there's not much to rebuild. I'd replace the shocks, and if its still not up to par, you can get a place like eaton or deaver to build you springs.

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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2018 01:29 pm

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GreenH3ll
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I had that problem with my truck even brand new. The solution i find was to put Bilstein shock on the truck because the ''oem'' Rancho was done at only 20 000 miles!!!!! I will never buy Rancho and my truck ride like a dream since.

Last edited on Sat Jan 20th, 2018 01:32 pm by GreenH3ll

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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2018 02:30 pm

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JAMMAN

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I have heard similar stories about rancho, wonder why they are so popular? I guess if you are replacing 150,000 mile stock shocks with them you would think they are wonderful.

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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2018 07:22 pm

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GreenH3ll
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JAMMAN wrote: I have heard similar stories about rancho, wonder why they are so popular? I guess if you are replacing 150,000 mile stock shocks with them you would think they are wonderful.

They are maybe good on the road , but i have done half of dose miles off-road and i was telling myself it was impossible the shocks was already done but i was wrong. On 4 , 3 of them stay completely compress when we are pushing on them with only ours fingers! I still have them somewhere just to show at people who don't believe me lol.

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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2018 12:28 am

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john112deere
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ShovelheadKevin wrote: Anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce the "bounce" from my rear-end on my 98 XLT SC 4.0 4x4?
Pay attention to tire pressures, too.
Overinflated rear tires will certainly exacerbate the tendencies of an empty Ranger to hop around on bumps...

Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2018 09:58 pm

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Yup, tyre pressures and shocks, ,the rears can be done with no jacks, stands or even taking the wheels off.

I recommend KYB shocks, the ExcelG model worked well on mine, or the Gas a just's will give you a more refined ride if you can spend a little more.

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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2018 10:52 pm

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JAMMAN

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Kinda hijacking the thread but I bought a set of pro comps for the front of my 2wd coil spring but haven't driven it with them yet being it is my dragging on V8 project.

Has anyone tried pro-comps and are they any good?

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The future belongs to those who show up.

Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2018 11:41 pm

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Dusten
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It depends on which model. The base pro comps are trash

Posted: Mon Jan 22nd, 2018 09:07 am

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Scrambler82
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When I did the SuperLift 5" lift/31 spline Axle Housing/ Coil-Over Fronts, KM2, and Lift Kit rear shocks, the ride was ok, not good but it was a lifted truck and a short bed to boot.

It wasn't long before I found out the ride wasn't just "not too bad" to "It $ucks" !
I started my quest to a better ride by playing with the tire pressure, up, down, back up and all around... NOT going to happen, tire pressure may help with tire wear but it didn't help with my ride. I started an active learning process in how to drive with a screwed up truck suspension with bump steer problems.

I ended up blaming the tires, the KM2s were 16" and had a load rating for a truck twice or three times my weight. OK I screwed up, bought the wrong tires, got new BFG All Terrains, wow, rode better, but still ended up with bump steer... BAD, scary at times !

Got to SoCal, start to live with the truck but found the Wife couldn't drive it so took the old girl, not the wife... the truck, to a shop that had a lot more experience with suspensions systems than I did and they took the thing apart. As it turns out they rebuilt the front, ok, the rear needed two different shock lengths the shock that were in there were too short and bottomed out, done, and got a couple of front end parts replaced and spring hangers, and... drum roll please... WOW, the truck actually rode as if it was new without the lift ! Who would have thunk !

So, here I go, IF you are having trouble with your ride, consider going to a suspension shop, not a general mechanical shop, and talk to them about your ride, what you did in the past to get the ride you have and what you want from the work.

Work I had done:
1) Rebuilt the front Coil-Overs.
2) Replaced the rear shock... with two different length shocks and length enough so the shock didn't bottom out.
3) Replaced the rear spring hangers.
4) Set tire pressure to factory specs.

Good Luck on your quest, some time is isn't just bolt the stuff in and ride, there is a science to it !

Posted: Tue Jul 17th, 2018 08:33 pm

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ShovelheadKevin
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Scrambler82 wrote:
New shocks helped my truck ride better, also, I found I needed two different length shocks; stopped my Bounce Steering !
Different lengths? Is that a standard for stock/unlifted Rangers?

Back to the reason I asked the question is this:
Sometimes when I go over a bump on the right side {@ approx 40-45mph} when it rebounds it feels like the rear kind of gives a wiggle as it settles. Kinda hard to describe....
With 41K+ on the orig shocks, I guess it's time to replace shocks anyway. Hopefully that'll do it.
The only other thing I can think of would be the shackle bushings, which I'll check out when I do the shocks....but I'd hope to get at least 60K out of them. :ermm:

What is the best shock {I know, I'm opening Pandora's box here.....lol} for around $100 a pair? Just a general use truck and some {like when camping...} but not much off-roading.
The first w/3 votes is what I'll prolly go with. ;)

Thanks y'all. :frd

Posted: Tue Jul 17th, 2018 10:14 pm

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Tsquare
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I just saw a thread from 12° North about some awesome looking shocks.

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Posted: Tue Jul 17th, 2018 10:59 pm

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VelociRanger
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Never tried 'em, but hey they're "load adjusting coil over rear shocks" for $128. Gabriel is a good brand too, I think. They're for my 2008 ford ranger 2wd short bed, 7.5 rear axle. Idk if that makes a difference but someone here will know.

Attachment: Screenshot_20180717-215520.png (Downloaded 45 times)

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Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 01:04 pm

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Scrambler82
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Adding Coil-Overs to the Rear, would mean removing the leafs, then you would need control arm to handle the rear end movement... not an easy or quick change over and not one that the back yard mechanic could do, well at least mot me !

I do not know the best or even a good brand of Shocks but talk to a local Suspension Shop and see what they suggest, can't hurt... that is if you have a local shop !
I do know..., Gas Shocks ride harder than Hydraulic Shocks, but Gas Shocks don't fade as quickly, something to think about !

To be sure if the shocks are long enough you will need to jack the truck up by the frame and allow the rear end to hang all the way with the wheels off the ground. Measure that distance and write it down. then determine the shortest distance with the axle jacked up, write that one down too !
You now have the beginnings of which shock length to use, but to me at least let someone that know suspensions pick the shocks, the back yard mechanic can do the job but you need the correct shock to get the ride.
Also, once the new shocks are in place, recheck the distance for the drop of the rear end... just to make sure !

To reiterate my position, my Truck rode BAD, bounced on every bump, bounced BAD, almost to the point of loss of control on the repeated bumps. Once the rear shock, of proper length were installed AND my fronts were rebuilt, all was well again !

Good Luck on your choice and the length !

Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 01:37 pm

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ShovelheadKevin
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Thanks Scrambler.....I agree....a PITA, besides I don't haul heavy so I wasn't going to go with coil-overs.
As for the wrenching....I or my son {...I'm a former track Champ CC and son is a Cert.Mech. Tech & Legends CC......} usually do all our own work. As for "lil' Red", we've already totally rebuilt the front suspension about 4 months ago.
I'm just looking for brand/model recommendations from other owner's experience, preferably those w/XLT SC 4x4s.

Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 02:13 pm

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Mike69

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I would be interested in this also as I have to replace the ones in my 2000 4x4.

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Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 02:20 pm

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VelociRanger
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Those are bolt in coilovers from AutoZone. They fit in the stock shock location, no modifications required

Last edited on Wed Jul 18th, 2018 02:22 pm by VelociRanger

Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 03:30 pm

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Tsquare
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I can tell you what not to buy. I have a set of Monroe Monro-Matics on the front and rear. I put them on at 100k and they were very stiff all the way around. It has been almost 2 years and the rear shocks are shot with about 26k miles on them. The rear end has gotten looser and is very bouncy.

Last edited on Wed Jul 18th, 2018 03:32 pm by Tsquare

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Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 05:18 pm

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I'll second that the Monroe's do not seem to work so well on the Ranger.

I have seen very mixed reviews on the Gabriels, even the more expensive ones, people say are fine, but not great.

I refuse to pay the Bilstein price, but found the ExcelG's to be very good - for the Ranger, there is actually an 'upgraded' shock available, which has dual control for both when it's light (not lugging crap) and hauling.

I only got the regulars, but i'm kicking myself for not getting the nicer ones like my friend did, i might upgrade to those maybe next year.

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Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 11:42 pm

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ShovelheadKevin
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A couple of folks have given pos reviews of the ExcelG's. I'll check them out.

Again, thanks folks......just wanna have lil Red ready for Fall/Winter because you never know what to expect here in North Ga. ;)

Posted: Wed Jul 18th, 2018 11:57 pm

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ShovelheadKevin
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Are these what y'all are talking about?
https://www.amazon.com/KYB-344396-Excel-G-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C44CK8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Posted: Thu Jul 19th, 2018 12:23 am

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Nope, they're the normal ones, well, i guess, yes, they're what i have, but i'd buy these if i i bought them again.

2 x front Gas-adjusts
https://www.amazon.com/KYB-KG54309-Gas-a-Just-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C44D5C/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1531974088&sr=1-1&keywords=KG54309

2 x rear Gas-adjusts
https://www.amazon.com/KYB-KG5493-Gas-a-Just-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C40T64/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1531974178&sr=1-1&keywords=KG5493

Here's the blurb on them:

The KYB Gas-a-Just monotube truck shock absorber has additional performance advantages over the twin-tube design: It can instantly, automatically adjust to your performance needs and never experiences fade due to aeration. The Gas-a-Just is available as an OE monotube replacement and as an OE twin-tube performance upgrade. The KYB Gas-a-Just has two separate working chambers: An air-free hydraulic piston and valve area for responsiveness & control, and a second high-pressure nitrogen gas area with a floating piston that provides a comfortable ride during normal driving and adds instant performance on demand.

Provides up to 25% more damping control over original equipment shocks
Gas-a-Just reacts to load changes and adds instant responsiveness on Ford trucks
High gas pressure design is perfect for hauling heavy loads
monotube design outperforms all other standard shock absorbers
Unique, air-free, hydraulic unit eliminates performance fade
Engineered to help vehicles with electronic safety systems (ESC, ABS, etc.)

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Posted: Thu Jul 19th, 2018 12:26 am

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I just saw that you could do these if you wanted to go really fancy.

Blurb:

Tough conditions demand tough truck shocks. The large bore KYB MonoMax provides the additional stability that heavier, more powerful or high center of gravity vehicles demand. The KYB MonoMax is a heavy duty monotube shock absorber that provides the most handling, control and durability of any KYB shock; and it's just for trucks. The MonoMax's tough design automatically adjusts to driving conditions with fade-free performance. The KYB MonoMax has an outstanding reputation for vehicles that do real work, go off-road, tow a trailer or haul heavy loads. It uses a work-ready, zinc-coated steel piston ring and includes an off-road dust boot.

Maximum performance upgrade with up to 40% more damping performance than standard shock absorbers
Perfect solution when you need to upgrade suspension performance on your Ford truck
Truck monotube design outperforms all other standard shock absorbers
Zinc-coated, stainless steel piston ring provides a positive seal in the most extreme conditions
Rubber boot to protect the shaft and keep dirt and debris away from the seals
Engineered to help vehicles with electronic safety systems (ESC, ABS, etc.)

Front
https://www.amazon.com/KYB-561001-MonoMax-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C42RIC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1531974270&sr=1-1&keywords=561001

Rear
https://www.amazon.com/KYB-565063-MonoMax-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C42RMI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1531974370&sr=1-1&keywords=565063

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