Harsh ride off roading with Rancho's. Suggest some shocks pls!

[BadaBingM3]

So my 99 Explorer has aftermarket leaf springs in the back with longer shackles and up front I added about 1" adjustment to fit 31x10.50R tires and sits fine. Only problem is it's a damn harsh ride going off roading or even hitting reflectors on the road. I have Rancho 5000 shocks. It's just always been a harsh ride. Off roading I let some air out to about 20psi to soften up and grip. But is there any shock absorbors anyone can suggest that are 1" longer than stock and not so harsh? I was thinking those adjustable Rancho's instead.

 

[swshawaii]

Are you using the Rancho shocks designed for up to 2-1/2" lifts?

Shocks & Struts for Off-Road Vehicles

Rancho offers a range of shocks and struts for offroad vehicles, designed to keep up with even the most demanding terrain. Find the parts you need today.

www.gorancho.com

Rancho RS5374 Front Shock Review

So, I just completed the install and test drive of the Rancho RS5374 front shocks on my 2003 Sport Trac 4x4 with a 1.5" torsion twist and Warrior 153 shackles. These shocks are for 95-01 Ford Explorer 4x4 and 4x2, 01-05 Sport Trac 4x4 and 4x2, and possibly the 01-03 Explorer Sport 4x4 and 4x2...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[BadaBingM3]

Are you using the Rancho shocks designed for up to 2-1/2" lifts?

Shocks & Struts for Off-Road Vehicles

Rancho offers a range of shocks and struts for offroad vehicles, designed to keep up with even the most demanding terrain. Find the parts you need today.

www.gorancho.com

Rancho RS5374 Front Shock Review

So, I just completed the install and test drive of the Rancho RS5374 front shocks on my 2003 Sport Trac 4x4 with a 1.5" torsion twist and Warrior 153 shackles. These shocks are for 95-01 Ford Explorer 4x4 and 4x2, 01-05 Sport Trac 4x4 and 4x2, and possibly the 01-03 Explorer Sport 4x4 and 4x2...

www.explorerforum.com

Yes. But before I had my stock size rancho's and also Procomp's and both are just harsh. These extended fit better without them being over extended like the stock size I used to run until I found these. Just feels like anything I go over rattles my teeth! lol! It's not anything wrong with the chassis, I've done loads of work to include an engine and tranny change myeself. Rides pretty tight to be honest. I've ridden in old tacoma's that ride so much better off roading. Is it just the suspension system is just not designed very well?

 

[2TimingTom]

Turning up the torsion bars on a 2nd gen leads to a harsh ride. Could swap it to coilovers- but that’s no easy task.

 

[BadaBingM3]

Turning up the torsion bars on a 2nd gen leads to a harsh ride. Could swap it to coilovers- but that’s no easy task.

I've heard that too. This Monday I'm swapping out the torsion keys for 1.5" If had. Just didn't get to them all this time. I would have wished I knew about some other rear leaf springs but went with TSA ones (I think they are named). They have a 1500 lb weight rating but with extended rear links, I think they are just hard as hell and that may be adding to the harshness.

 

[swshawaii]

Re-clocked torsion lift keys do the same as tightening the bolts. Control arms will still be at the same extreme angles resulting in the harsh ride.

 

[BadaBingM3]

Re-clocked torsion lift keys do the same as tightening the bolts. Control arms will still be at the same extreme angles resulting in the harsh ride.

Right. I figure so and realize that. Just that the bolts are pretty much maxed out. Might as well do it correctly. lol. I think it's a combination of shocks also. Rancho 5000 are great, but might just not be too forgiving.

 

[ryboj]

Without breaking the bank, the black and silver Bilsteins. Best simple shock I've used on an explorer, on and off-road. Now running some Radflo coilovers. Never looked back. But if I had a stock explorer or with a mild name brand lift kit, I'd still run the Bilsteins. Night and day over the competition.

 

[BadaBingM3]

Without breaking the bank, the black and silver Bilsteins. Best simple shock I've used on an explorer, on and off-road. Now running some Radflo coilovers. Never looked back. But if I had a stock explorer or with a mild name brand lift kit, I'd still run the Bilsteins. Night and day over the competition.

I will keep that in mind. I've always read good reviews of Bilsteins. Might just be my next shock when these Rancho's go flat.

 

[ryboj]

I will keep that in mind. I've always read good reviews of Bilsteins. Might just be my next shock when these Rancho's go flat.

Another nice thing on the Bilsteins....you get to choose your valving too, for the type of offroading you'll be doing. It's also matched with the weight of the vehicle. The black and silver ones, the "5100" I believe, allow you to do this. I think I've had 4 sets of these now on Explorers, Ramchargers and even a Tundra. EVERY set worked phenomenal, for the amount of money spent. Believe they were like $75-80 a shock. Great product.

 

[BadaBingM3]

Another nice thing on the Bilsteins....you get to choose your valving too, for the type of offroading you'll be doing. It's also matched with the weight of the vehicle. The black and silver ones, the "5100" I believe, allow you to do this. I think I've had 4 sets of these now on Explorers, Ramchargers and even a Tundra. EVERY set worked phenomenal, for the amount of money spent. Believe they were like $75-80 a shock. Great product.

Good to know. I've not ever looked at them in depth but will for sure now. I've only had Rancho's or ProComps, which I did not like the ProComps much.

 

[ryboj]

Good to know. I've not ever looked at them in depth but will for sure now. I've only had Rancho's or ProComps, which I did not like the ProComps much.

Cool. If you ever do decide to buy them, buy them from a reputable dealer, who will ask you these questions and measure out your shocks, and select the exact 5100 part numbers applicable. It's not a one size fits all, when things are done with a bit more precision and these allow that extra bit of customization, that you can end up actually feeling and appreciating. And no, I have zero affiliation with Bilstein, haha. Just been there and done that over the years with substandard shocks. High pressure gas charges shocks, that's the base of any good offroad shock, then go from there, valving, sensitivity, and dampening controls.

 

[MartyD]

I had the same set up you describe on my ‘96 Sport. I had the Rancho adjustable shocks set to medium, Warrior shackles and Torsion twist up front. I used the “F” code springs from a 4 door. Had 31x10.5x15 Bridgestone all terrain tires. Mine rode pretty well.

 

[BadaBingM3]

I had the same set up you describe on my ‘96 Sport. I had the Rancho adjustable shocks set to medium, Warrior shackles and Torsion twist up front. I used the “F” code springs from a 4 door. Had 31x10.5x15 Bridgestone all terrain tires. Mine rode pretty well.

View attachment 320224

Looks good. Today in fact I installed 1.5" torsion keys and had an alignment done. Much better ride up front as they keys were maxed out. I have it high enough with 31x10.50R 15 tires Bfgoodrich A/T's like yours. Rides much better. By the way, I really like your explorer. Check mine out. Now it has black wheels instead of the silver. My paint was black and chipping away on the hood so few years back decided to repaint it. Did it myself with olive drab tractor paint and an electric wagner pain gun from HomeDepot. lol! Came out like Raptor paint. Where did you get your rear brake light covers? I can't find them anywhere.

 

[BKennedy]

If the rear leaf springs are using add-a-leaf springs to gain height, it might also be contributing to a harsh ride. Those Rancho 5000 shocks are usually not a harsh ride.

While off-road I usually air down to 16-18PSI. Since I got the set of Maxxis Razr's, I run them with more, maybe 22PSI. The sidewalls are very soft and bow out more than I like.

What are you plans for the Explorer? Trail rig, overlander, overall off roader, rock crawler? Sometimes people, me included, take a very roundabout and expensive road to where you want to end up with. I went through a bunch of suspension modifications, countless hours and many years, before I was satisfied. Then I went to work on the driveline (still working on that).

 

[BadaBingM3]

If the rear leaf springs are using add-a-leaf springs to gain height, it might also be contributing to a harsh ride. Those Rancho 5000 shocks are usually not a harsh ride.

While off-road I usually air down to 16-18PSI. Since I got the set of Maxxis Razr's, I run them with more, maybe 22PSI. The sidewalls are very soft and bow out more than I like.

What are you plans for the Explorer? Trail rig, overlander, overall off roader, rock crawler? Sometimes people, me included, take a very roundabout and expensive road to where you want to end up with. I went through a bunch of suspension modifications, countless hours and many years, before I was satisfied. Then I went to work on the driveline (still working on that).

Trail and hunting is what its ok for. Sooner or later I'm getting a Tacoma and putting an Icon lift on it. this is just been my daily beater and off roader for trails and hunting. Can't expect too much from it. lol.

 

[BKennedy]

@Stico took his Explorer built about like yours, through one of the hardest trails I have ever been on, Swamp OHV trail.

 

[BadaBingM3]

@Stico took his Explorer built about like yours, through one of the hardest trails I have ever been on, Swamp OHV trail.

Man, I'm always trying NOT to break mine out there. lol! Just need it to get me to my camp sites and hunting without getting towed out of the middle of the interior of Nevada.

 

[MartyD]

Looks good. Today in fact I installed 1.5" torsion keys and had an alignment done. Much better ride up front as they keys were maxed out. I have it high enough with 31x10.50R 15 tires Bfgoodrich A/T's like yours. Rides much better. By the way, I really like your explorer. Check mine out. Now it has black wheels instead of the silver. My paint was black and chipping away on the hood so few years back decided to repaint it. Did it myself with olive drab tractor paint and an electric wagner pain gun from HomeDepot. lol! Came out like Raptor paint. Where did you get your rear brake light covers? I can't find them anywhere.

They are Smittybilt Outlanders, pretty sure I got the through 4 Wheel Parts. Unfortunately I had to sell it after my son was born. Now I have a 2004 XLT 2x4.