Parts for your 2019 Ford Ranger-Struts

2019 Ford Ranger: Struts or not?

Short answer: the 2019 Ford Ranger does not use MacPherson struts. Up front it runs an independent double‑wishbone (short/long arm) layout with a coil spring over a shock absorber, and out back it’s a live axle with leaf springs and separate shocks. That means there’s no structural “strut” carrying steering loads like you’d find in many passenger cars.

Technical references back this up. The Ford Workshop Manual for the 2019 Ranger (Section 204‑01 Front Suspension) specifies a double‑wishbone front with a coil spring over a shock absorber, and Section 204‑02 (Rear Suspension) details a leaf‑spring rear axle with shock absorbers. Ford’s Master Parts Catalogue lists front upper and lower control arms, a steering knuckle, and a “shock absorber and spring assembly” rather than a strut. Major AU/NZ parts catalogues (Motorcraft service parts, Monroe, Bilstein) also list front coilover shock assemblies and rear shocks for this model, not struts.

Why no struts on a Ranger? As a body‑on‑frame ute aimed at towing, payload and rough‑road work, the Ranger benefits from the double‑wishbone layout. It gives strong knuckle support via upper and lower ball joints, stable alignment under load, good wheel travel, and packaging room for 4x4 half‑shafts and diff. A MacPherson strut would shift steering and cornering loads into a front tower and is typically favoured for lighter passenger platforms, not heavy‑duty utes. On the Ranger, the damper and coil carry vertical loads, but steering and lateral loads go through the control arms and ball joints, not a strut tube.

If someone is shopping for “struts” for a 2019 Ranger, what they really need are front coilover shock assemblies (damper + coil spring + top mount/isolator) and rear shock absorbers. It’s also common to service associated wear items at the same time.

• Inspection tips: look for oily weeping on shocks, a bouncy ride, nose‑dive under braking, and uneven tyre wear. Check upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, front top mounts/isolators, rear leaf spring bushes, and sway‑bar links.
• Typical replacement timing: 80,000–150,000 km in mixed on‑road use, earlier if towing, carrying loads, or driving corrugations/off‑road regularly.
• Fitment advice: use quality dampers matched to any lift/level kit, compress springs safely if reusing coils, torque arm and bush bolts at normal ride height, and always get a wheel alignment after front‑end work. On 4x4s, check CV angles and boots post‑lift.

Popular questions about 2019 Ford Ranger “struts”

Does a 2019 Ford Ranger have struts?
No. It uses a double‑wishbone front suspension with a coil spring over a shock absorber, and a leaf‑spring rear axle with shocks. There’s no MacPherson strut assembly in this vehicle.

What should be replaced if I was told to change the Ranger’s struts?
Ask for front coilover shock assemblies (damper, coil spring and top mount/isolator) and rear shock absorbers. While you’re there, inspect front control arm bushes/ball joints and rear leaf bushes. Some catalogues casually say “strut”, but for a Ranger it’s really a shock and spring assembly.

How often should the shocks be changed on a 2019 Ranger?
Many owners see 80,000–150,000 km from factory shocks in easy use. Heavy towing, corrugations or off‑road work can shorten that. Replace earlier if you notice bounce, poor control, or uneven tyre wear, and always align the front after replacement.