Anybody,ever done a side to side leaf spring swap on a 2wd first gen ranger?

[Chris86ranger]

Maybe my forum search skills are off but I can't seem to find anything on it. I have seen a lot on the explorer spring swap but that's not the type of set up I am looking at. Anyone with any tips or tricks on this one?

 

[Shran]

Not sure what you are referring to, do you mean taking the driver's side one off and putting it on the passenger side and vise versa?

 

[Roert42]

Transverse leaf spring?

 

[Chris86ranger]

Not sure what you are referring to, do you mean taking the driver's side one off and putting it on the passenger side and vise versa?

Yep that is what I am referring to.

 

[Chris86ranger]

Left to right or right left

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yep that is what I am referring to.

The springs are the same side to side. Both in how they mount and the weight they are rated to carry.

 

[Chris86ranger]

Doing it to gain tire and wheel clearance by moving the springs inboard.

 

[Dirtman]

K im confused how swapping the springs from side to side is gonna do anything?

 

[Chris86ranger]

You move the mounts and springs to inside of the frame rails instead of the outside of the frame rail, thereby opening up space for wider tires and wheels.

 

[Shran]

Not sure what you are referring to, do you mean taking the driver's side one off and putting it on the passenger side and vise versa?

Yep that is what I am referring to.

You move the mounts and springs to inside of the frame rails instead of the outside of the frame rail, thereby opening up space for wider tires and wheels.

These two posts are in direct conflict with each other.

NOW I get what you're asking. I have not seen springs inboarded on a Ranger before but I suppose it's possible although you're going to run into clearance issues with your fuel tank and spare tire.

You could also run springs UNDER the frame like an Explorer but with stock springs that will most likely result in a lift of several inches. Another, better, option would be a 4 link and airbags or coilovers... what is the intended purpose of this truck? Street? Offroad? Just to tuck wider tires inside the wheel openings?

 

[franklin2]

Sounds like a lot of work. You will have to move and weld the spring perches on the rearend housing, and most likely box the frame and prepare it for modified spring hangers.

 

[Chris86ranger]

Yes I am aware of moving the spring pads and shock mounts, Its about 50 bux per sides at a competent shop, and as far as moving the fuel tank and spare tire I was going to remove the spare and fuel and just run a fuel cell.

 

[Chris86ranger]

These two posts are in direct conflict with each other.

NOW I get what you're asking. I have not seen springs inboarded on a Ranger before but I suppose it's possible although you're going to run into clearance issues with your fuel tank and spare tire.

You could also run springs UNDER the frame like an Explorer but with stock springs that will most likely result in a lift of several inches. Another, better, option would be a 4 link and airbags or coilovers... what is the intended purpose of this truck? Street? Offroad? Just to tuck wider tires inside the wheel openings?

Potato/ potatoes. It's the same thing just said a different way and I already said I'm not interested in the explorer spring swap. Which honestly is the same or more work.

 

[Chris86ranger]

Ok, does anybody have any useful info, or do I just need to take this question to a different site?

 

[Dirtman]

Getting snippy about people not understanding your question isn't gonna help get you any better answers...