How did you decide on the Ford Ranger coil and does it matter what year it is? I have a 94 Metro I'm converting and will be putting 20 6v batteries in it.
A guy I know is building a Metro Hybrid, with 6 batteries in the trunk. He found that Ranger springs were a pretty close fit. The diameter isn't EXACTLY the same, but it's darn close/close-enough. I don't think the year matters.
20 6V batteries sounds like a LOT of weight. A Metro is only designed to carry no more than 1000# including the driver WITH suspension and brake upgrades.
I bought and installed Ford Ranger springs in my 94 Metro (soon to be electro) this past weekend. Not an easy job. Thanks for the idea and video info. At this point with no batteries in it, the back end is like a spring board. Very tight, but I'll be adding 500lbs of batteries to the back and 400lbs of batteries to the front soon.
The back was really high and springy after changing the springs. After adding batteries back in, it brought the ride height to just about right and was a very smooth ride!
Do you remember what year the Ranger was that you got your springs from. When I look at your video, the springs appear to be not much thicker than the Metro. Mine were significantly thicker and the amount I had to cut off looks to be more than what you had to cut off. Mine were from a 98 Ranger.
I cut the LENGTH of the truck springs to be pretty much even with the length of the Metro springs. The difference in THICKNESS, not length, adds to the additional lift.
I think the springs just happen to look much thicker in real life then they do on YouTube. I remember thinking how thick the springs looked too.
Which side is Higher by 1/2 an inch? If it is the driver side I would leave it alone as the weight of the driver will help even it out anyway. If it is the other way around then swap them.
I love this idea....except that when you plug it into charge it the power used to charge the batteries usually comes from a coal or fossif fuel burning plant....Still amazing that you can do this!
thats true but did you know that you can run 99 cars off a dirty coal power station or 1 car on petrol for the same emissions? its true electric motors are very efficient ! i too have an electric metro. check it out on here while your at it!
Which is a more efficient and ecological better way of energy production and use then a refinery producing gasoline too then be burnt in a combustion engine.
At a 1/2in you could warm just one end a little and it should sink enough to even it out. As long as you are not too far from the end of the spring the rate should be the same when you are done.
Or you could do the obvious and take them both out and shave the offending spring just a little.
i did same on my fwd lancer ,cut them all equally but the heat from the grinder must have changed the spring rates because they did not sit equal
demorgus 1 year ago
How did you decide on the Ford Ranger coil and does it matter what year it is? I have a 94 Metro I'm converting and will be putting 20 6v batteries in it.
deanrholden 2 years ago
A guy I know is building a Metro Hybrid, with 6 batteries in the trunk. He found that Ranger springs were a pretty close fit. The diameter isn't EXACTLY the same, but it's darn close/close-enough. I don't think the year matters.
20 6V batteries sounds like a LOT of weight. A Metro is only designed to carry no more than 1000# including the driver WITH suspension and brake upgrades.
BenjaminNelson 2 years ago
Comment removed
deanrholden 2 years ago
I bought and installed Ford Ranger springs in my 94 Metro (soon to be electro) this past weekend. Not an easy job. Thanks for the idea and video info. At this point with no batteries in it, the back end is like a spring board. Very tight, but I'll be adding 500lbs of batteries to the back and 400lbs of batteries to the front soon.
deanrholden 2 years ago
It WAS a bit of work to change out the springs.
The back was really high and springy after changing the springs. After adding batteries back in, it brought the ride height to just about right and was a very smooth ride!
BenjaminNelson 2 years ago
Cool. Thanks again for the idea and inspiration. I just ordered by batteries, but I still have to install the motor etc.
deanrholden 2 years ago
Do you remember what year the Ranger was that you got your springs from. When I look at your video, the springs appear to be not much thicker than the Metro. Mine were significantly thicker and the amount I had to cut off looks to be more than what you had to cut off. Mine were from a 98 Ranger.
deanrholden 2 years ago
I think my springs were from a '96 Ranger.
I cut the LENGTH of the truck springs to be pretty much even with the length of the Metro springs. The difference in THICKNESS, not length, adds to the additional lift.
I think the springs just happen to look much thicker in real life then they do on YouTube. I remember thinking how thick the springs looked too.
BenjaminNelson 2 years ago
hows the ride?
Chyi2990 2 years ago
did the springs seat properly after being cut?
silver760 2 years ago
Seems like they are fine. The way they contact on the swing arm and the body looks good.
Suspension is MUCH improved with the springs.
Seems like a reasonable, inexpensive way to do it.
No trouble yet.
BenjaminNelson 2 years ago
Which side is Higher by 1/2 an inch? If it is the driver side I would leave it alone as the weight of the driver will help even it out anyway. If it is the other way around then swap them.
RocketMaker10000 2 years ago
its not a race car. it looks fine. i raced for 10 yrs. i dont think you will have a problem. just keep up the good work and keep having fun.
jlw62469 2 years ago
You should put a ruber or metal ring under the left spring to get the same level
acmecorporation 2 years ago
I love this idea....except that when you plug it into charge it the power used to charge the batteries usually comes from a coal or fossif fuel burning plant....Still amazing that you can do this!
2509AndNoMoreOil 2 years ago
thats true but did you know that you can run 99 cars off a dirty coal power station or 1 car on petrol for the same emissions? its true electric motors are very efficient ! i too have an electric metro. check it out on here while your at it!
lpgas1 2 years ago
Which is a more efficient and ecological better way of energy production and use then a refinery producing gasoline too then be burnt in a combustion engine.
SirTragain 2 years ago
At my house, we only use renewable electricity, generated from bio-gas, wind, etc.
BenjaminNelson 2 years ago
At a 1/2in you could warm just one end a little and it should sink enough to even it out. As long as you are not too far from the end of the spring the rate should be the same when you are done.
Or you could do the obvious and take them both out and shave the offending spring just a little.
isegoria1 2 years ago
it seems to sit higher overall.
jmoyet 2 years ago
ahh it's only a half-inch - I couldn't see it...
j24utube 2 years ago