RCD RANGER 4" coilover kit for "4x4" !!

[sirhk100]

I'm not 100% sure about the bushings but I'm pretty sure that you should be able to use them. As for the lift, I think it's marketed as a 5" lift. The coilovers are threaded though and you can spin them up or down to raise or lower it. I'm not sure what the highest we're going to recomend lifting is going to be. I'm sure we'll determine that on the fit test coming up. Our design guy is VERY thurough and he'll be able to determine that max lift.

Khris

 

[CoryL]

So the only advantage is getting rid of the torsion bars for coilovers? In the place of the torsion bars you now have braces for the drop bracket for the lower arms?

No offense, but without increasing the wheel travel and addressing the CV issue, it doesn't seem like you get a whole lot for the price you are asking.

 

[JoshC]

I think you are right Cory. It is limiting since we have torsion bars, but compared to the other lifts like superlift. I would pay the extra money to get rid of my torsion bars. You're going to have the same flex as a super lift, and more ground clearance in the middle because the bars won't be hanging down 5-6 inches. By the way Cory, did you get my email through your CRL site?

Happy trails!!

 

[sirhk100]

No offense taken. I think most people that don't understand are building their vehicles as hard core vehicles built for a purpose. Our kit is meant to lift the truck while at the same time providing a much better handling vehicle on the road. This kit also goes a little beyond that by getting rid of the vulnerable torsions and replacing them with the braces. You actually can still run with out the compression struts, so if you did break one you could still run. Also this kit is adjustable unlike any other out there right now. You can crank your torsions and sorta increase the pressure but you also gain ride height. Ours you can raise and lower the height without affecting the ride. Also you can change the ride (via nitrogen pressure) independent of the ride height. So, for those of you that want to haul ass run you pressure high and ride height low. For those that are crawling adjust your hieght to what's desired and run less nitrogen so you can compress the tires and get some flex. Also, when you make these adjustments you can change back relatively easy so that your onroad characteristics are great when you get home. Our kit was never intended to got out and compete with trophey trucks or custom crawlers like yours. Our kit isn't being marketed to those people either. If any of you following this thread are expecting to compete in the rock crawling championships you might want to second think our kit. If you're looking for a VERY well built kit that will GREATLY improve your onroad ride while at the sametime give you adjustability to adapt to run various terrains we should be able to help you out.

Coryl
Does that make sense? Like I said above, I'm sure my Explorer will handle 2' of air (It doesn't even bottom the front end!!! anyone with doubts, I'll be @ Ocotillo wells jumping this Sat. night) MUCH better then your's but I'm sure you'll crawl over stuff that I couldn't believe.

I'm not a marketing guy, I'm the production engineer, I'm the guy you all can yell out for this taking soooooooo long to get out. My reasons for it taking soooooo long would be make this lengthy post look tiny so I'm not getting into it. I'm also not the designer which is why I don't know the performance details yet (like the travel numbers). I'll know them after we do the fit tests and guarentee you that I'll give the straigh results cause if they suck we won't release it, it'll be back on the chopping block.

Khris

 

[taxx]

For those of us already running a lift kit I just wonder what it would take to get the part numbers from RCD on those Coilover shocks. I would love to just buy the complete coilovers (and maybe the bracket) and fab them to fit with my lift. I already have superlift knuckles and such so all I need is some coilovers so I can ditch my t-bars. Maybe I could take some measurements of compressed and fully flexed and call bilstein myself to find out about some coilovers that would fit. Anyone see any down sides to this option?

For RCD:
I see the bottom brack that mounts the shock, but what does it mount to at the top? any pics?

 

[taxx]

Okay found a pic of the top bracket

What would it take to buy these shocks and the top and bottom brackets? And the reinforcing bar for the top mount? Or just the shocks I'll fab the other crap up if I have too.

 

[sirhk100]

Taxx, check your PM

I've asked at work before about buying parts. I don't know the reason but the only way they'll sell you just the parts is if you wreck the truck and need some parts to get it working or break something. Even then I think you still have to go through the company that you bought the stuff through. If you have a shop you're good in with you may try to get them to make up a story to see if they can get you just the parts you need. As for the shocks I'd call Bilstein. Ask to speak with Shane (he's the offroad guru and who we deal with the most) Tell him your cusious what it would cost to get just the shocks for our kit. I'm not sure if they'll do it or not because some of the Bilsteins are exclusive for us and only we can sell them, some buisness deal.

BTW the upper shock mount where the shock actually bolts in will be the same but that hoop for support isn't going to be used. We're making some braces that will actually be welded in. They're just as effective and should reduce the cost of the kit cause those hoops are a PITA to mass produce and we're saving on packaging without those.

Khris

 

[taxx]

Thanks for the quick response Khris! I could easily fab or have fabbed some support braces for the upper mount. I would think those coilover shocks are all I would "need" the rest could be rigged up on my own. What is the rate of those springs on the coilover? Are they rated at about 5 or 6 hundred pounds?

 

[DesertSpive]

I just hope that test fit goes well.

--Sean

 

[jasonb]

its august... any updates on the release date? not that i could afford it now.. just curious.

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by jasonb
its august... any updates on the release date? not that i could afford it now.. just curious.

Kris,

Is there a newer release date? And another question (this may have been answered but there are too many posts to read them all), there were posts about a possible TB lift, is this still true?

I am looking to lift in early winter...........can I keep RCD in my mind?

Robb

 

[sirhk100]

It's definately still coming in fact I happen to know where there are 5 kits that just need painted.... Those are for fit tests. We should be doing the fit testing within a month. Still waiting on Bilstein for the front shocks. Not much we can do till then, our work is done. Till we see how the fit tests go. If those go well and all that is needed is minor changes (usually just a tweak here or there that takes 1-2 weeks to get straightened out depending on the rest of my work load) We'll slip them into the production line. Production usually takes about 60 days on the first large run because they get to learn a bunch of new stuff. I think we've stopped giving release dates on any of our new upcoming kits until they are actually being built because of the hastles we're having with this kit. Basically it was shown to public WAY too early. I'll let you guys know when we get the fit test results in and the production starts. I should be in direct contact with the fit test trucks and will probably get to put some miles on one so I'll also give you my direct opinion on the kit ASAP.

Ohhh, probably too late but can I ask you all a favor... Please don't call RCD and say you "heard stuff directly from me" I honestly don't know if I'm supposed to be saying stuff that I know or not but am because I know a lot of you out there have been waiting a long time for this kit (hell since before I worked there) and I think it's only fair you get a non marketing BS approach to what's going on. (what I mean by that is them telling you what you need to hear to keep you kinda happy) I havn't got any backlash from posting info here but would like to keep it to a minimum. It's already too late to take back all the info and I'll try to keep posting as much as I can.... If I ever meet any of you and you're interested I'll give you the long drawn out version of why this kit has LAGGED SO MUCH. There's a lot going on inside the company that they kinda brought me in to deal with and smooth out and it's definately working. If you were inside the company you'd see how much better things have gotten in the last 6 months. (and this Ranger kit just happened to be the one that was getting held up, pure luck of the draw) Before it was engineering holding up the kits, now it's production and we're spending a lot of $$$$ on new machines to increase our production. I know it's not happening fast to you guys but it is to us...
Khris

 

[jasonb]

thanks for the info khris. i'm not upset if it takes a little while. maybe i'll be saved up for it by the time it comes out now! who knows. anyway... its always good to get the updates on where it is.

 

[soupbone]

Thanks for the info and updates. Im paying off the visa right now but still would love to see the kit on somebody elses truck even..... Hopefully the CC will be clear by the end of this year. Would it be possible for RCD to substitute the rear ranger shocks with B46-2134 exploder shocks on a few kits?

 

[sirhk100]

No problem with the info (hopefully) I know if I was in your place wanting the kit I'd be looking for all the same info too and be pushing to find out what the hell is taking so long etc etc... The kits got painted today so litterally all we can do is bug Bilstein on the phone to get the shocks to us. Oh and we're also waiting for some U-Bolts but if the shocks come in first we'll get our hands on some from a local supplier for the fit test.

You know what's funny about this thread.... Look how long it is!!! I didn't even work for the company when this thread started in fact there's a post by me way back in the begining about being stoked on having an interview. Heck this kit doesn't even fit my Explorer!!!!

BTW I know what you mean by the CC bill. I litterally paid off mine this morning (or well, mailed the check) $2200. Between that and paying off my Exploder last week, $4600 I'm broke again. I figured I better get rid of all my bills and loans if I want to try and buy a place after the first of the year.

Khris

 

[Robb]

Hey Kris,

Can you post Bilstein's number? J/K

I got a feeling we can get them off there butts!

Robb

 

[Xplodor]

Sorry if this was already posted. Is this lift a 5.5" or 4"? I need to do some planning.

 

[Heath]

I believe its a 5" lift...

 

[taxx]

The title says 4" but I thought earlier it was stated that it was somewhat adjustable?

 

[DesertSpive]

It is a 5" lift, but has a threaded collar which you can effectively raise and lower the ride height with a spanner wrench (although RCD won't be marketing it this way).

--Sean