Even those remotely familiar with Ford's ever-popular Ranger know that the truck underwent a radical chassis change in '98. The switch from I-beams to A-arms netted better handling and longer tire life, and that '98 chassis continues on through '08 and beyond. There are two basic A-arm chassis styles: torsion bar and coil spring. The torsion bar chassis is used for the 4x4, 2WD Edge, and 2WD Sport SuperCab models. The coil spring chassis is used for the 2WD XL, 2WD XLT, and 2WD Sport regular cab models.
Since the 2WD XL and XLT models are produced in greater numbers and are available at lower price points, there are quite a few coil-spring Rangers out there, waiting for the chance to become desert weapons.
Camburg Engineering offers a long-travel kit to owners of coil-spring Rangers with a need for real desert speed. This is the same kit campaigned in multiple MDR racing seasons by Camburg's Jeremy Zindroski, who also happens to own Dezertrangers.com. Due to the frame modifications and shock hoop fabrication required for a clean, strong installation, this kit should only be installed by an experienced fabricator or a high-end off-road shop.
Quick Specs
1. Four inches wider per side
2. Boxed-plate lower control arms
3. Tubular chromoly upper control arms
4. Factory-style bushings are replaced throughout with high-misalignment rod ends and spherical bearings.
5. Factory steering knuckles are replaced with a custom-fabricated knuckle that is much stronger.
6. Stainless steel tie rods replace the OEM wet-noodle tie rods.
7. Uses either 8- or 10-inch stroke coilover shocks.
8. Can also be used with bypass shocks.
9. The kit yields up to 18 inches of wheel travel depending on the shocks and the shock mounts' configuration.