Some leaf spring assistance! Please!

[jrmustranger97]

I posted this in the suspension forum but only got one response so I figured I'd try it here. I had to put the skyjacker 6" coils in the front of my truck to raise the ride height and correct my camber problems. Now my truck sits low in the back. Not much but it is definitely noticable and I think it looks dumb with the ass end sitting lower than the front. My question is if I order the full 6" leaf springs for the back will it be too high? Or will the 4 inchers do the trick. Has anybody experienced this problem before? If so what did you do to correct it. Just to be clear the lift blocks on the back measure 2 7/8" and are under the stock 2 1/2" blocks for a total of 5 3/8" above my axle. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!:icon_bounceblue:

[LittleBigFoot]

Wait, you're stacking blocks?

I'd suggest ditching the blocks and finding a shackle/add-a-leaf combo.

But what do I know?
Adam

[jrmustranger97]

Thanks for the reply!

Let me give you a little background....

When I bought the truck it had a 4" lift on it. I had tons of problems with the front end so (thinking cheap) I replaced the entire front suspension with the skyjacker class II kit. I never touched the rear. The truck looked fine and rode good. The only thing I can complain about is that I get a lot of axle wrap. So I guess I don't know if the rear end is set up how it should be, hence I'm asking for some help. Any thoughts are appreciated.:dntknw:

[DRanger024]

Blocks, especially if stacked will cause some axle wrap. Now with your blocks being stacked and the total height coming out to a little over 5 inches is going to cause massive axle wrap. How much lower is the back then the front? Dont forget you can do a combo with the lift springs and blocks and since you have two different sizes of both you have a few options. Some simple math and you can figure out exactly what you need to do.

[LittleBigFoot]

You could throw on a set of Duff traction bars. I hear with a little modification and a big hammer they can be made to fit for the later vehicles. (I'm not sure the years they're designed for)

[james99]

james duff has traction bars for your truck but i would one of the blocks and go with add a leaf and longer shackles

[jrmustranger97]

You're right, I definitely need to correct the axle wrap problem and stacking blocks probably doesn't help, but at the same time I want to fix the height of the rear end and retain flexibilty. I'm trying to find a solution that will address all three. Also, I talked to a friend of mine that works at a local spring shop about custom making some springs to suit my needs. He said it would be too much too arch a spring that big. I argued that as long as you got a main leaf that was longer then it shouldn't matter? What do you guys think?:dntknw:

[MountainRanger]

Yup get rid of the stacked blocks trust me i know from expirence i bent my rear axle so bad there was a 6 inch diffrence in wheelbase from side to side im suprised my tires didnt hit my box

[86ford]

from what i am gathering you have 6 inch springs up front and 4 inches total out back with a little sag from wear would that be correct? if you are looking for a cheap solution explorer leafs with a add-a-leaf and maybe a few stock leafs with a slightly longer shackle if needed should do the trick to eliminate the 2nd block and level it out. lift leafs are expensive and could potentially still not put you at the exact height you are looking for. by using explorer leafs and building a custom spring back you have plenty options to raise or lower easily without the expense of lift leafs.

86

[Nutz-N-Boltz]

Check out a set of 99' 2wheel drive f-150 leaves,(not sure of other years) they measure out the same as the Ranger, but have a much nicer looking arch. And the good thing is, they can be junkyard parts or even your local auto parts place.

[jrmustranger97]

Thanks for the advice guys! I guess I'm off to the junkyard to find some new springs. F-150 or explorer I'm not sure which but at least I know what will work.:icon_welder:

[jrmustranger97]

Also, I forgot to ask where I can get extended shackles? Or is it worth it to try and fab my own to suit my needs?

[Sevensecondsuv]

Also, I forgot to ask where I can get extended shackles? Or is it worth it to try and fab my own to suit my needs?

I just chopped up and extended some stockers on my X. It worked great.

[JohnnyU]

Also, I forgot to ask where I can get extended shackles? Or is it worth it to try and fab my own to suit my needs?

eBay, I picked mine up for $30.

[compleckz]

as johnnyu said check ebay for shackles, Belltech 6400's will net ~2" lift.. (they are made for fullsize chevys, to lower them.. but due to the leaf spring mounting on rbvs, it works out that they lift the rears)..

i have them and they are solid pieces, definitely worth the money.

another option is the 63" chevy leaves.. search around and you'll find some info on that swap.. i think its about 3" lift (you just have to move the front bracket forward)

[Roger]

I bought my 90 Ranger 3 1/2 years ago. It came with an older Skyjacker 6" lift in front, but stacked blocks and what looks like an add-a-leaf in the back.:not_i: I'm currently in the process of reworking the truck, and one of the things I'm doing is doing something with the rear springs. Lots of good reasons to, but just take a look at this reason...:icon_confused:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w271/zjrog/Warthog%20Rising/Rangersprings001.jpg

The spring isn't supposed to look like a compound bow... And no, this truck hasn't been on the road in over a year now.:nono:

I have to replace the springs no matter what. With this combo, the rear still sits about 2" higher than the front. But I think the front coils have settled a bit. Now my only real options, since I'm cheap as hell, is to replace with some used Exploder springs, or the chevy 1/2 ton springs and move the front mounts. Either of these options will require longer shackles. OR, and I am actively thinking about this, building a triangulated 4 link with coils. This option will have to wait though for the money tree to grow more. But I can do this cheaper than I originally thought, using Jeep coils and links bought through suicidedoors.com. They only have 1.5" OD tubing, but that should be fine for a while. Uh, I think! Depends on how my son abuses the truck.:scare: