Ranger Mods

Sorry if this comes off as promotional, but I found a recent addition to the Öhlins suspension catalog and I thought others might be interested. They have fitments for Ranger and Everest up to 2019.
https://www.ohlins.com/products/automot ... rands=6515

The Ranger product news PDF linked here suggests it's a on and off road kit, not some racing special. It's got 2.25" shock body, remote reservoirs, is made for up to 1" lift, is 2-way adjustable (upgradable to 3-way) and going by the user manual has PDS (progressive damping) as well.

I hadn't planned to upgrade my Bilsteins but this has me reconsidering.

Thanks Richard.

Local support if there are issues?

saeb wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:15 pm Thanks Richard.

Local support if there are issues?

There was an announcement at the Bangkok Motor Show about the product so hopefully that means it's readily available in Asia Pacific. Interestingly they fit 2011-2019 rather than 2021/22 new models, so they seem to be targeting folks like us.

I've reached out to the NZ distributor so we'll see what they say after the holidays.

There's a bit more detail on the website now, including EU pricing - 3.670,98 € plus VAT. Available from June 2022.

There's no mention of PDS but they refer to STX in the Product News, which seems to be a conventional adjustable shock - https://www.ohlins.com/document/12007/

https://www.ohlins.eu/en/products/packa ... r-t6--300/

rjbarrington wrote: ↑Sat Feb 12, 2022 4:48 pm There's a bit more detail on the website now, including EU pricing - 3.670,98 € plus VAT. Available from June 2022.

There's no mention of PDS but they refer to STX in the Product News, which seems to be a conventional adjustable shock - https://www.ohlins.com/document/12007/

https://www.ohlins.eu/en/products/packa ... r-t6--300/

Possibly another option for those willing to spend, dealer network will be the big thing here as it is not a small place. I'm sure you will post an update if you do go down this path.

Think the Fox 2.5 DSC will see my car out, I can't complain.

So anyway, some boxes arrived today. I figured I'd fit OE rear springs on the basis that Ohlins built the kit for that spring rate. Found some near new PX3 leafs and have EFS 215mm U bolts and SuperPro shackle, pin, and bush kit. Was wondering if UCAs or even front control arm bushes are worth doing at 55k?

At 55k I wouldn't even look at them. Looks like you have some work to do, enjoy and await the results.

They're on the car now with 'road' settings dialed in. I swapped out the springs for PX3 leafs (near new, and couldn't find any good PX2 ones) and Ford OE rubber bushes, shackles, etc. First impressions driving back from the shop are that it's nice and controlled, and the sharp edges and juddering are all gone. Road patches and things that used to be annoying are near invisible now. I'm much more aware of the driveline and engine vibes as well. Height is about the same (+20mm front, +5mm rear). Keen to give it a good run this weekend.

Well done. Hope you enjoy them.

Probably why I notice little things more than I used too, never thought of that.

On long trips, say more than 300km, with lots of straight roads I tend to soften mine off a little more again. Floating along is so much better on the body.

The weather was rubbish over the weekend but got a chance to check the 'clicks' tonight. I'd thought it was a bit bouncy coming out of the driveway, etc, so was theorizing that maybe I needed more rebound. Funny thing is it was near full soft on the front rebound adjusters! The shop said they'd set it up but as always you have to check everything yourself. Now it's actually on the right settings it feels even better. Will probably soften the compression & rebound off after letting it all bed in.

How did you go?

Took me a while to get compression set right around Melbourne roads. In the end driving around a round a bout on and off throttle slowly seems to give a good idea of what works. Little hard to explain, but I increase until I do not feel a diagonal rock of the vehicle.
Adjustments are a little different on the Fox have low and high speed compression adjustment.

I will do a Sydney Hwy trip this week and will back them all off 2 or 3 clicks, just make the 8 hour drive a lot nicer.

It's good, but more of a European ride quality: comfortable and controlled, but not quite plush - until it is, when needed on a bigger hit. I've only got low-speed adjustment (making inquires about the high speed adjuster upgrade now!) and found it good but too bouncy coming out of my driveway down to the street everyday. The road angles are a bit funny and defaults resulted in annoying bouncing/rocking before it settled. So I increased rebound a couple of clicks and that has sorted it but maybe at the expense of plushness.

It's generally more comfortable and controlled, and it'll drive through the big speed bumps without slowing down now, but I'm not sure if it's tyres, spring rates, or high-speed valving I need to mess with the reduce the sharp edges on the small road repairs around town.

My KO2s are getting old and wearing down so might see about replacing those with more road-oriented AT, if I can find the right size. Was tempted by BFG Trail Terrain but can't find 285/70R17 in NZ... they're available in Aussie of course. Anyway, a softer tyre should help, and the 2-way compression adjustment option might.

The other thing is I'm running the 130 N/mm spring, which is about 740 lb/in so maybe a touch harder than stock. 120 N/mm / 685 lb/in is available (Hilux lists that option), and at the back, I read that the US Ranger owners have been fitting global market rear springs for more comfort... so maybe maybe softer Icon or Deaver rear leafs could be worth a look...

Edit: Reference for my rear spring statement: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/ ... ign.14074/

The settings were still bothering me, so I had a think about what @saeb wrote about increasing the compression to reduce the Ranger wobble. Adding that to the guidance in the manuals got me thinking I'm doing it wrong.

So... I went back to default road settings, then gave it two clicks more compression damping and it seems to have helped out with the bouncy driveway exit, while still being comfortable and not slowing down the rebound.

From the ORQ user manual:

In general, compression damping changes should be used to influence the vehicle’s stability and response while rebound damping changes should be used to influence comfort and traction.
When you need more damping force, you should mainly try to increase compression damping and use as little rebound damping as possible. This usually means that you gain comfort and handling performance.

Links to the manuals:
https://www.ohlins.com/document/82588/
https://www.ohlins.com/document/37172/
https://www.ohlins.com/document/12007/

Sounds like good progress, well done.

Having just got back from my Sydney run last night you have reminded me to add to clicks. Thanks.

A couple of small updates for anyone following along.

I've added 1 click more rebound, which is still good over manhole covers, etc, and helps a bit more with the side-to-side wobble. There's an uphill roundabout with an uneven surface that I find is a good test, and my regular car park entry which is at odd angles. Maybe my heavier wheels need the extra damping...or maybe I'm just being fussy.

The kit docs have been updated and it now officially supports 2" lifts, although 40 mm is recommended to keep 2/3s of OEM rebound stroke. It has recommended preloads for different lifts, and reference part numbers for rear springs, u-bolts, bushes, and driveshaft center-bearing spacer (all Rancho parts) for the 40 mm lift.

Ref https://world.ohlins.com/app/uploads/20 ... r-1_EN.pdf (updated installation manual issued 2023/02/22)

Cheers for the update Richard.

Have since removed the Fox 2.5 and sold. New vehicle is sitting at the docks awaiting pickup and I have no idea what to put on the next one yet.

Interesting.... Did you order a Next Gen Ranger, or try something else?

rjbarrington wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 5:05 pm Interesting.... Did you order a Next Gen Ranger, or try something else?

Next Gen WT. Without spending big bucks on American trucks there is not a lot else in the market. Most makes are still previous generations.

Nice. In that case I reckon grab a Dobinsons MRR kit set up for your weight, then fit some SDI E-Clik reservoirs + controller hardware. Might be worth waiting a bit for Fox et al to come through eh. Or grab some Bilsteins and call it done.

Have a lot of thoughts and have a ton of links saved and or opened. Funny enough SDI is one of those links.

Bilsteins are never going to suit how I like my day to day comfort level. Off road great but on road, not for me.
I question the quality of the MRR and also the asking price does not reflect a quality product.

WT do run different shocks stock to all other variants, was having a discussion with suspension engineer at major manufacture who advised me. We will butt heads sooner or later again to work towards a brand or maybe their brand with valving to suit me.

In an ideal world the NextGen would already be shipping in the US and we would have 10 brands of shocks to import tomorrow.

TBH, I don't know a whole lot about MRR other than they had hoses for the resi's on the rear for the E-Cliks, and King doesn't seem to make a set for the NextGen yet!

I guess BP-51s are off the table? Alt strategy, ping the Aussie Tein agent and get some custom 4x4 Sports made under their specialized damper program, complete with EDFC so you don't have to grovel around underneath to adjust them.

Not sure how serious I am there, but please post an update when you get something figured out... I'm intrigued where this endeavor is going to go.

Not sure if you have heard of shock works? I'd be having a chat with them. The custom build to your specifications. Great bunch of gents in a little Aussie business. Have used their product on one of the cars and can highly recommend.