Advice on improving suspension on Ford PK Ranger

Mark · Senior Member

Advice on improving suspension on Ford PK Ranger

kw · Veteran Member

Hi,

We own a 2010 Ford Ranger 2WD Dual Cab 2.5Litre Diesel. My wife has recently had multiple operations on her back and neck and we now find the ride in this vehicle too rough.

We pull a 15ft Pop Top van and do not really want to compromise the towing capability. Have considered putting in a suspension seat but our vehicle has side air bags in the factory seats, so that can't be done.

Have thought about air bag suspension but apparently that only improves the handling for heavier loads.

Have sought advice on resetting rear springs but that would alter towing and payload.

Has anyone else had this problem they have been able to overcome without replacing the vehicle as the dual cab suits us perfectly other than the ride, and have had canopy / dual battery system / elec brakes etc all fitted to this vehicle and as we are only pensioners can't afford to now replace the vehicle.

Any advice / comments would be appreciated.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi KW and welcome, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Have you looked into a better shock absorber system maybe.

The other thing you could do is pop your question into 'Techies Corner' as you might get a better response in there. Some people only go into that area and might just have the answer.

bill12 · Guru

Could you tellme what sort of fuel figures you get? I amthinking of buying the 2.5 model. Thanks, Bill

brickies · Guru

Hi KW I have used City Suspensions Springwood brisbane Q in the past and found I was happy with there work you could ring them for advice , I have found them only to happy to discuss problem and outcomes

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Guys, Have you thought about changing the seat to an air suspended seat. Depends on the measurements of course ,if you have the room to fit one.

This website is an Aussie company that specialises in aftermarket seating. If you click on each seat it gives the dimensions and maybe there is one that would fit your vehicle. This is one of many on the web that do air suspended seats.

http://www.kabseats.com.au/transport-seats.shtml

justcruisin01 · Guru

Hi KW, the air bag in the seat I dont know about, but if the seat is removed does this affect any other computor / electric controled system?

As mark has suggested there are after market seats available. As you may have read we just bought another tug which has height adjust & spring suspension seats. I done a 1400kl turn around trip in three days to pick this unit up, 700k up in a small car & my crushed section of spine was not happy at all.

So to step into a different vehicle with a back that was not happy to start with was going to be interesting, I spent a little time playing with the height & suspension adjustments before I headed off, followed by a couple of adjustments back for more leg room, doing the last 500 on that setting. On arrival back home the old back was improving, felt less fatige & much happier with the more upright positions.

You may have to sacrifice the side air bag & hope that you never need it, in return for a more comfortable outcome.

JC

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Mark & Linda,

Had looked at these seats and thought they would definately solve the problem. I had checked them out at a supplier of these seats on the Sunshine Coast, but when they realised that my seats had side air bags they said they would not be able to fit them.

Since your reply, I am revisiting the option of fitting one of these seats and have contacted a different supplier after speaking with Qld Transport about have a mod plate fitted. Have contaced Strato direct to get the story correct.

If I can get this done without making the vehicle unroadworthy it is definately the way I will go. I think I may have been talking to someone relatively new when I made my first enquiry about them.

Thanks heaps for your advice.

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Bill,

As for fuel consumption, can't tell you exactly, but am pulling about 550 klm per tank without a load and it probably comes back to about 450 with the caravan on (15ft Jaco Pop Top). Oh and don't forget, ours is an AUTOMATIC.

Tell you what, next time I fuel up I'll do a consumtpion check and get back to you. And keep in mind, I have a canopy on the back and Roof Bars on all the time, Driver and Passanger Weathershields, they all play a part in fuel consumption.

Other than being a little harsh on the comfort side of things (as are all commercial vehicles) we love the Ranger.

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Doug,

thanks for your tip, in addition to looking again at the Stratos Suspension seat again, I have also spoken with Fulcrum and will get them to also have a look at the set of the springs, they thing they should be able to do something if the look at (and possible reset) the second spring and use air bags to keep good towing capability. But if I can get this suspension seat to replace the original with the side air bag I will probably definately go that way.

Thaks

Kw

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Brikkies

thanks for you imput, have now spoken with Fulcrum Suspension and going to have them have a good look to see what may be able to be done with the suspension.

Thaks

kw

kw · Veteran Member

Hi JC,

yes, I think this is the way to go, am now looking to see if I can get a Mod Plate for the seat because of removing factory side air bag (safety issue).

Thanks for your imput.

kw

Mark · Senior Member

kw wrote:
Hi JC,
yes, I think this is the way to go, am now looking to see if I can get a Mod Plate for the seat because of removing factory side air bag (safety issue).

Thanks for your imput.
kw

Hi Kw

Whatever way you go, I hope you are successful in getting the problem resolved.

In a previous role, I have modified vehicles that have either negated an air bag, or have added seating where no air bag could be provided.
With the right information and total openness with the road transport authority, AND your insurance company it can be done, it's a disclaimer effect that you have to acknowledge.

I just re-read your replies and noted the comment about the suspension. Just a bit more advice.............

The idea of an independently suspended seat is to take away the up's and down's of the road. A suspended seat gains it's own momentum and negates the momentum of the road undulations. An upgrade to the suspension doesn't do that in any shape or form, it merely makes the ride harder or softer, it will not remove the problem, in fact, given that you tow, it may create problems elsewhere and give you a bouncy ride. Hope you get it sorted out so you can continue to enjoy your outings.

Edited section

Good luck

Mark

-- Edited by Mark on Monday 22nd of July 2013 10:40:41 PM

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Mark,

yes I think I will probably go with the seat, and yes, been around too long to take shortcuts. Have spoken with Qld Tpt and they have put me onto an engineer in Brisbane who they recognise, so all being well, just have to advise the insurance comapny.

Thanks
kw

Mark · Senior Member

Well done, hope it all works out well for you and the missus.
An outcome follow-up would be great.

Cheers
Mark

kw · Veteran Member

Will post the outcome, but may not be for a few weeks or so

Mark · Senior Member

No worries, would just be a great end to the thread knowing something has worked.

Cheers

Mark

kw · Veteran Member

Latest update

Gerty Dancer · Guru

RE: Advice on improving suspension on Ford PK Ranger

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Gerty,
yes, started out with a piece of foam but that was useless, then went to talk to a couple of motor trimmers about getting the seat repadded and they advised against that as they had tried this for other people and it can turn out worse than the original seat. That was the same response from two of them.
Then I bought two good quality purpose specific cussions from Clark Rubber, one gave a little relief from the bumps but the wedge shape of it makes her feel like she is sliding forward off the seat. But I must admit, that cussion has given her the only relief she has been getting in the vehicle at all.
Interesting what you say about having your Prado suspension upgraded for rough conditions, do you know specifically what was done ?? and was it done to soften the ride for your back and neck? I would be interested to hear back from you.
Thanks
kw

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I'll get my partner to give you the tech details kw, but as I understand it, it was to strengthen the shock absorbers rather than soften the ride. The vehicle is an inch or so higher because of it.

My arthritis problem is more recent, and lately I try to persuade him to stick to the highway ..... although we both love being out in the bush.

By the way those side airbags also limit the type of seat cover you can use to the very expensive type!

brickies · Guru

When we got our Prado the ride was to soft me and had decided to get the suspension looked at. Then someone asked me had I look at tyre pressure well the tyre was 38 PSI and told to try 40 PSI I could not believe the difference just a thought , you may need to lower tyre pressure to make a softer ride

kw · Veteran Member

Yup, have got the tyre pressure down to 28lb.

kw · Veteran Member

I know that these vehicles are not built for comfort, but, apart from this, which I will fix one way or the other, it is the BEST vehicle I have ever owned.

Well, apart for my 1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster that is, and what a coincidence, that had really hard suspension too lol.

Mark · Senior Member

RE: Advice on improving suspension on Ford PK RangerMy

Gerty Dancer · Guru

RE: Advice on improving suspension on Ford PK Ranger

Mark · Senior Member

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Mark wrote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag

HOW????
Cheers

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I dunno Mark, just copied and pasted then hit the space bar. Others say you have to hit Enter at the end. I'm not very computer-savvy so am really thrilled I can actually do something!

Mark · Senior Member

Gerty Dancer wrote:
I dunno Mark, just copied and pasted then hit the space bar. Others say you have to hit Enter at the end. I'm not very computer-savvy so am really thrilled I can actually do something!

LOL............. Well done for getting it to work

Have a good day.

kw · Veteran Member

Hi Mark,

Yes it was actually Ford Australia head office that I went back to trying to get confirmation for Qld Tpt that disconecting the Passanger Side Seat Air Bag would not interfere with the remaing air bags and was told in no uncertain terms that they would confirm that.

Qld Transort were quite adamant that the letter from the manufacturer was the only way that they would except the modification.

Probably now just looking at a wider, better quality tyre, maybe resetting the springs a little and different shockies and maybe air bags for towing. Can't do much now until I get down to Brisbane and see some Tyre people and some suspension people, then make a decision from there.