Rear Leaf Springs

[RefurbishedRedneck97]

I recently bought a 97 ford ranger xlt 4.0 4x4 ext cab. I noticed the rear leaf springs are more flat than the last trucks i ave owned. is this normal? or is there supposed to be more of an arch in the spring?

 

[cvar]

They're flat because they're old & sagging. That's OK, if you're not hauling heavy stuff. But I chose to fix this problem by replacing the springs.
See http://imgur.com/a/WpQR8

While you're down there, check your brake lines because they're probably very rusty (ie, unsafe). See http://imgur.com/a/sUnMy

Welcome to TRS.

 

[Mark_88]

They're flat because they're old & sagging. That's OK, if you're not hauling heavy stuff. But I chose to fix this problem by replacing the springs.
See http://imgur.com/a/WpQR8

While you're down there, check your brake lines because they're probably very rusty (ie, unsafe). See http://imgur.com/a/sUnMy

Welcome to TRS.

thanks Cvar...I am going to have to do my driver side on the 96 as the passenger side was already done...good write-up!

 

[RefurbishedRedneck97]

Thanks ! I have already went through and did the entire brake system on the truck. Im gonna go ahead and change both leaf springs. What year rangers will fit on the 97 ext. cab?

 

[cvar]

Im gonna go ahead and change both leaf springs. What year rangers will fit on the 97 ext. cab?

You can use any springs 56" long (eye to eye) by 2.5" wide that suit your fancy for load ratings. I chose HD instead of light duty. Look at this:
http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/catalog/Ford_Ranger_Ford_Explorer_Ford_Bronco_Bronco_II_Leaf_Springs-224-1.html

 

[txgocartB3000]

Heck of a write up with pics.

That's some wicked rust. I take it that you don't live in Arizona.

Nice to have the place, tools, knowledge, and desire to undertake that job.

Ray

 

[cvar]

Thanks. My truck spent its youth (6 yrs) at the seaside, where the salt ate away at the undersides. Somehow its body was spared? Yep, kinda tedious to remove all that rust, down to shiny steel, then acid-wash & paint. But worthwhile. She's safe now. No schmancy garage, just small suburbia. Havin' fun.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you are going for used junkyard springs if you aren't in the rust belt or on the coast, all Ranger springs are the same dimensions ('83 through '11) along with '91 through '01 Explorers, and '84 through '90 Bronco II's, the 4 door explorers have the stiffest springs stock. So that gives a fair amount of options, I've swapped springs around a few times in the last 16 years on my Ranger, it's not too tough.