Does a Ford Ranger have struts or shocks?
In the Ford Ranger, the front suspension uses MacPherson struts, while the rear uses leaf springs with separate shock absorbers. In practical terms, there are struts at the front and shocks at the rear.
Understanding this layout helps explain ride quality, load handling, and what you might replace if you hear clunks or feel roughness. The Ranger's design mirrors common pickup configurations that balance city comfort with rugged capability.
How the Ranger's suspension is arranged
The Ranger's front suspension is typically a MacPherson strut setup, which combines the shock absorber and coil spring into a single strut assembly mounted to the steering knuckle. The rear suspension is a live axle with leaf springs and separate dampers to manage jounce and rebound.
Front suspension: MacPherson struts
MacPherson struts are compact and cost-effective, providing adequate steering feel and ride comfort. The strut assembly often includes a coil spring and a bearing plate that supports the upper mount. In this arrangement, the strut helps control wheel movement and ride quality on paved roads and light terrain.
Rear suspension: leaf springs and shocks
The rear uses leaf springs to support weight and maintain load-carrying stiffness. Shocks, attached to the axle and frame, dampen vertical motion, helping keep tires in contact with the road on uneven surfaces and during payload changes.
Note: Some market-specific or older Rangers may have variations, but the modern U.S. market Ranger line generally follows the described front struts / rear shocks arrangement with leaf springs.
Maintenance considerations
Here is a quick overview of what this means for maintenance and replacement tasks:
- Front suspension: MacPherson struts — expect to service/replace struts, coil springs, and related mounting hardware as a unit or in components when worn.
- Rear suspension: leaf springs with shocks — inspect leaf packs for wear or cracks and replace worn shocks to maintain ride quality and load handling.
In summary, the Ford Ranger uses struts in the front and shocks in the rear, paired with a leaf-spring rear setup that supports payload and off-road capability. If you're diagnosing suspension noise or planning replacements, these are the components to focus on.
Summary
Summary: The Ford Ranger has MacPherson struts at the front and leaf-spring with separate shock absorbers at the rear; this combination provides a balance of ride comfort, steering responsiveness, and payload handling across most current models.
