1st post, ranger/explorer spring swapping

[glindy]

1st time here for the good advice. Picked up a 94 4x4extcab ranger and the 3 wimpy 2550lb springs need help. Went to a yard and measured ~56.5 between bolts and 2.5 width on a 94 ranger. Checked a 93 and a 95 style explorer, they both had 4 spring 3000lb ratings and were also 56.5x2.5. Asked the yard about interchanging them, they said NO to fit? Seems like they would swap to me,but will they give more lift in rear,which I don't need? Just want sag to stop with heavy loads.

 

[bobbywalter]

most explorer packs are heavier, and a common upgrade

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"Interchange" probably means "the same" rather than "will fit" in their book.

They are great if you carry heavy loads a lot, if you run around empty most of the time your kidneys will hate you.

I gained quite a bit of lift but my stock springs were whipped.

 

[4x4junkie]

Asked the yard about interchanging them, they said NO to fit?

The leaf's centering pin bolt is in the opposite direction, you would need to remove it and turn it the other way for it to fit your Ranger (the Explorer has the leafs under the axle, where yours are over the axle).

This is enough of a difference for the yard's parts interchange system to simply say "no it doesn't fit" (there's no "But if you just do this..." function).

Typically Explorer leafs will give 1-2" lift on a Ranger, though it depends on the cab, bed, and body styles of the two trucks the leafs are being swapped between.

Welcome to TRS

 

[glindy]

Sounds good. I think I'll wait a week for the 50% off yard sale and pick up a 4leaf set. Should help stability when the ATV is in back.
Thanks

 

[Teddyzee]

F150 leafs are the same dimension as well, but I can't comment on what lift you may get.
They are available in many pack sizes, same shackle, same rear shackle hanger...
I'm specifically referencing early '80s to early '90s, but they may have never changed.

 

[bobbywalter]

more specifically--2wd f150.


and they are not "exactly the same" but close enough..but that "close enough" between the explorer ranger and 150 springs makes a difference when going into stock ranger hangers.....

usually almost a 1/2in up to 3/4in different on the offset between the 150 and ranger. the explorer is like an 1/8 or so....the 150 spring actually shortens wheelbase slightly....

25/32 is the normal measurement as they are a true 57 inch spring where the ranger is not...just what i have run into over the years.

rangers tend to be 25 1/2-3/4 on the short side and 31 or a bit more on the long side....thats stock light duty 150 verse stock heavy duty ranger 4/1 packs....and the ranger pack is rated higher as well iirc....not much but its heavier.

basically the 2wd 150 runs 3 - 4 packs depending on year.

1600,1800,2100,24 or 2500 are the ranges give or take 50 pounds on memory...

where the ranger starts at like 1150 and goes to 1750 iirc. measuring the base of the pack is the easiest way to tell, i had a chart at one point.


the explorer starts out at like 1100 and they tend to have a higher arch unloaded....probably a good setup on one of the explorer forums to identify those somewhere too.

some 150 springs i have used had 5/8 front bolts. i assume those are aftermarket.



if you measure tight to the center pin there is a variance among the explorer, 150, and ranger spring.


that can also effect ride with the change in shackle angle. 150 springs give me between 1-3 inches of lift where the explorer goes 0-2.


free arch run 6 plus on the explorer and 7-9 on the 150. so you may get rid of more then sag. may have to adjust the headlights too.



yeah i am assembling a pack right now so its fresher then normal.