Shocks and locker

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Hey everyone, I just prchased my sport trac a couple weeks ago and I really would like to put better shocks and a locker in it. It is an 04 2wd. First I wanted a lift but there isn't much out there and after some research I figured a locker and aftermarket shocks might be better to do first, then get a body lift later.

Right now I am thinking about the Rancho rs5000's. I have read good reviews and those are the only ones I can find besides Bilstein 4600's. Can anyone tell me where to find shocks for this truck or does anyone recommend a certain kind? I want something good for both street and offroad.

As far as lockers go, I have not looked into where to get these too much. I just looked on google for about 15 mins. and had no luck but then again I don't know exactly what I need. From what I have read I think I want an Aussie Locker, the reviews were great and the price is too. Can anyone tell me where to find these or a different brand locker for my truck? and which model/part number I would need?

I would like to get this all done for around 1000 if possible but I am not against saving a little longer to get better quality. Installation of the shocks will be done at home and I'm not sure about the locker yet. Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[OffTrac]

I like the Rancho RS5000s and have them on my Sport Trac, but KYB and Bilsteins have also been impressive shocks in my experience. Everyone has a different story on shocks. Set your budget and get something in that range. You won't likely be disappointed with any major brand shock, especially if you're still on the factory shocks. You're going to think whatever you buy is absolutely the greatest shock in the world. The factory ones were garbage off the line.

Lono has a great write-up on locking his 2wd Trac. Search for his thread.

 

[LONO100]

welcome to the sport trac fam. i have a 03 sport trac 2WD that i threw RS 5000's and a locker on. below is a link to the how-to on installing the lockers.

i went with RS 5000 shocks. they will make your truck ride more like a "truck" on the road, which i prefer, but are great off road and wont cost you too much. i picked a set of 4 up for mine from 4wheelonline.com for 159.00 shipped.

as for the locker, i would suggest going with the aussie locker, or powertrax, lunchbox type locker. they are easy to install and best of all, they are awesome off road. my aussie lockers are the single best mod ive made to my trac. you can get an aussie locker for under 300 bucks. i bought mine straight from aussielocker.com

you will be paying more if you need someone else to install them. you can also look into some arb lockers which are switchable, but you will need to get on a compressor and have to drill into your diff. this will probably blow your budget.

so 159.00 for the shocks, 300 for the locker, that puts you under 500 bucks. if you have a thousand to spend, that leaves you 500 for tires which should be the first move if you are trying to build something for the dirt. if you arent looking into a lift, i would get 31" tires. that will give you the most height on a stock truck. getting 3" of lift isnt hard either on a 2wd and will only cost you abotu 120 bucks. i left another link on that below. here are few pics of my ride, very similar to what you are building. good luck on your build and hit me up if you have any questions.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329062

 

[OffTrac]

Haha, speaking of Lono...right on cue!

 

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Thank you so much, you guys are awesome. I have to leave for work in a minute so I will check everything ot when I get home. And I did just get tires- 245/75/16 duratracs, almost 31's. I'm getting a nice tax return this year and its coming in a couple days and I want to get this stuff asap. After this I can move on to performance mods.

 

[OffTrac]

First thing I would do is fully service your front suspension with all new ball joints, sway bar end links/bushings and check your tie rod ends. The ride difference is amazing. I thought my truck rode nice until I redid the entire front suspension.

There's a subforum on here for other rides. I'd like to see some info on that RX7.

 

[LONO100]

haha, i just saw your posts! yup and right on cue, i was just going to leave another post about looking over your suspension components. once i get my tax return, my plan is to get new ball joints and replace all the bushings to improve the ride of my trac. let me know if you have any questions, id be glad to help. its always great to get a new member to the sport trac family.

 

[shooterdude199]

I rode on rs5ks for a while and I liked the stiffness. I've also heard some good things on bilsteins. Either way I think you'd be happy. As far as lockers go I've been thinking of getting an Aussie as well but may kick it up to a true trac or something along those lines.

 

[LONO100]

ive heard some good stuff about truetrac, but that my blow his 1000 dollar budget. bilsteins are almost at the top of everyones list. i think whatever he gets to replace his stock shocks will be a world of difference. i remember my stock shocks were blown and it felt like i was driving a but in the ocean.

 

[RNGRDVE]

but in the ocean.

????????

 

[LONO100]

"boat" in the ocean. im on my smart phone today. people were getting sea sick in my trac when i had those old stock shocks on.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Smart phone my ass, LOL. Man the one day I'm not on here and there's already a couple more members.

 

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Hahaha. i have an open weekend this weekend so I will go ahead and look over the whole truck then. yeah i'm on stock shocks right now and the fronts are blown out, I hit a bump and the front end keeps bouncing for a minute. It looks like rs5ks are the ticket! Finally home from work, time to get back to research. (My homework lol) I will look for those sub forums and post a thread for my car.

 

[OffTrac]

I've been working on grad school stuff all day. Good luck.

 

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Thank you.

So what I have found is a Ford 8.8 31 spline Aussie locker. Does that sound correct? It was onl 279.99.

 

[OffTrac]

Homework, eh? Sounds like the kind of studying I do, lol. That's the right one. I haven't looked much at pricing on them yet so someone else would have to chime in on that.

 

[Sp0rtTr4c]

Hahaha. Ok cool, I found it on aussielocker.com and it says in stock so I will be ordering that this week. Thank you for the help every one I will let ou know how it goes or if I have any more questions.

 

[cosworth]

What do they mean on the website that it won't install in a limited slip diff? That the LSD must be removed (duh) or that you have to start with an open diff due to the carrier being different?

 

[LONO100]

Hahaha. Ok cool, I found it on aussielocker.com and it says in stock so I will be ordering that this week. Thank you for the help every one I will let ou know how it goes or if I have any more questions.

you will need the XD48831. i think i left you a link on how to install one of these puppies in the same exact rig you have. holler at me if you need any help!

 

[LONO100]

I've been working on grad school stuff all day. Good luck.

on a sidenote, what are you in grad school for? at UGA right?