Shocks

[Joe_B]

I have a 1979 F-150 Ranger 4x4 (barn find) that I'm changing the shocks on.

Everything says that the proper front shocks for it are the Rancho RS5117 (even spoke to Rancho tech support) for the front, but installed, there is only about 1" travel on the down side to full compression. I'm thinking that these will bottom out when hitting something like a speed bump.

This seems to be too little and that the shocks will bottom out when the springs compress.

The truck is standard height (not lifted) and is NOT a quad shock set up.

Can anyone please comment on this?

Thank you

[cep62]

Greetings.
I think you may have the front shock , Broncos w/o the quad shock used one in front of the axle and one behind.
one long , one short. pick ups had two behind the axle.

Your Ranchos have a compressed length of just over 12"

I looked at Monroe (because thats what came up) and I'm not sure if these are for your application.
but #34906 has a 10.126 compressed length and #3907 has a 13.375 cl .
So what I think is , you have shocks for in front of the axle.

Another thought is your old springs may have weakened , how much space between the rubber bump stop and the axle.?

[Joe_B]

Hi Cep62,

I also thought that the front springs may need replacing. I'll measure the distance between the bump stop and the axle as well as the center of the bottom mount and the bottom of the top mount (if that helps).

I (no doubt mistakenly) figured that when the shock was installed, it would be somewhere in the middle of the shocks travel range.

It'll have to wait until the temperature gets above freezing over here.

Thank you so much for taking the time to look up information for my silly little problem.

Joe

[Joe_B]

The measurement from the bottom of the rubber bumper and the top of the axle is 2.25 inches

The measurement of the shock tower is 14.5 inches (from the middle of the lower mount and the bottom of the top mount

Thanks again

[cep62]

By the looks of it your bumpstops should hit first.

They make a "snowplow spring" that will give a couple of inches lift, and retain a soft ride.

Bronco Graveyard and I believe Auto Value have a listing.

[Joe_B]

Thanks Cep62

I'll look into that. I REALLY appreciate your help

[geradr4]

Any update, OP? Did you buy rancho shocks? How's their performance? Need new truck shocks and I'm leaning towards the rancho and monroe.