Leaf springs shot?

[JTH1972]

I put a canopy on my Ranger recently and noticed the springs are sitting.. well pretty much level. I'm guessing that's a good sign the springs are shot.

Any suggestions for inexpensive replacements?

 

[Sunk]

Head to the junkyard. Explorer springs will swap in, and packs from a 4-dr are a bit stiffer, so if you plan to use the canopy long term, may be a good way to go.

 

[JTH1972]

what year?

 

[Yellowsplash]

95-99 Explorer 4 door 4wd, Code F. Usually found in XLT models.

 

[Sunk]

Any year Explorer with a solid rear axle. I got mine from a 1st Gen (91-94).

 

[Yellowsplash]

Any spring from 91-01 (in the case of a 4dr exploder) will work, but older ones more than likely will be worn more. While you could use packs off a first gen, I would recommend some from a newer truck.

 

[koda6966]

How are your shocks?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Shocks won't cause springs to sag

 

[koda6966]

No, but with weight in the back it will. My springs are perfectly fine, front and rear. But I have no shocks, so I'm about 3 inches lower in the front and have mad camber, as well as 5 inches lower in the rear when there's more than 200 pounds in the bed.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Shocks don't support a load either, they just dampen spring movement. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here.

 

[JTH1972]

Shocks are good. They don't look more than couple years old.

I was at the one of the wreckers today and found a couple of possible donors, but the wreckers are supporting the body's on old rims which are sitting on the... leaf springs! geniuses! So guess I'm still looking.

 

[koda6966]

Shocks are good. They don't look more than couple years old.

Alrighty, it's always good to check them as well, when something is screwy about your ride height.