4x4 explorer leaf springs on mazda b3000 4x4

[MUDDING B-3000]

ok so i read in the tech library about putting explorer leaf springs stagered into the stock ranger leaf springs?

my buddy is giving me the leaf springs out of his 94 4x4 explorer and i want to get rid of my 3" lift blocks on my truck and want to put the explorer leafs in so how do i do that? i didnt really understand the tech library.

my truck is a 94 mazda b3000 4x4

 

[Roadkill]

You will lose height by taking out the stock blocks. I know for a fact those explorer leafs won't give you any benefit over the leaf packs already in the truck. A buddy of mine was looking at your truck I think a while back. He said it looked like you had 6 leaf packs and red lift blocks in. Still the same? If so that is most likely a 2" stock block (repainted) and the leaf packs most likely have an add-a-leaf with a couple extras put in.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I eliminated my stock blocks by playing around with ranger and exploder leafs. my current arrangement has me lifted 2" and I have eliminated the stock block. I have 3 explorer leafs and 2 ranger top leafs. I think you could come close to the same thing by taking the explorer leafs, cutting off the eyes, and putting that under the ranger topleaf that is in your truck.

 

[MUDDING B-3000]

You will lose height by taking out the stock blocks. I know for a fact those explorer leafs won't give you any benefit over the leaf packs already in the truck. A buddy of mine was looking at your truck I think a while back. He said it looked like you had 6 leaf packs and red lift blocks in. Still the same? If so that is most likely a 2" stock block (repainted) and the leaf packs most likely have an add-a-leaf with a couple extras put in.

ummmm well i think i only have 4 leafs? on it ill have to check and it looks like a 3" red block in that back i thought that if i stagared them into my stock leafs it would give me a lift?

 

[Roadkill]

Stock Ranger leafs are only 2 with an overload. You probably already have something like an add-a-leaf and/or additional leafs in then.

You could add more leafs in, it will make the ride a whole lot harsher though since the more you add in the less they are able to flex under the trucks weight alone. They would allow you to carry a bit more in the bed. Mind you the frame and axles aren't made to handle a lot more weight.

 

[MUDDING B-3000]

ok thanks i just thought if i stagared them they would give me a lift cuz i could get a set for free. thanks for letting me kno before i did that and realized i got no lift

 

[Roadkill]

I've changed out the springs on my F-350 and although they are a might bit larger than Ranger springers it is still a PITA.

 

[mhughes165]

well, i know it may be a bit off topic, but im just throwing it out there....personally i ahte using anyhting bigger the the factory 2" block on a ranger due to axle wrap wheel hop etc.....

so, with the 4" Rc lift coming with a 3" block for the back.....it made me cringe, in order for me to gain the height i would need in the back(since i lowered the spring buckets up front 1.5") i would need to run the factory block stacked with the 3" rc block.....and i DEFINATLY aint gonna do some half ass susp setup like that......

so, i acquired from my parts explorer a explorer leaf with a 2" drop shackle on it (really beefy unit too) i plan on running the explorer leafs, plus a add a leaf for 2" lift from the springs, the 2" shackle, and the factory 2" block from the truck as it is, to give me 6" of lift in the back in a much safe configuration then large blocks....and sitll give me a little bit of rake for that agressive stance...

sorry for the thread jack but i think it was helpfull to some

 

[Roadkill]

Mhughes, I totally agree with you on stacking a 2 and 3 inch block together. That is just asking for trouble. Nice idea to work around it too. There are chevy drop shackels that we can use for lift as well, if memory serves. It should be listed in the tech library somewhere for part #'s.

 

[MUDDING B-3000]

ok well thanks for all the help

 

[Ranger44]

With just exploder leafs and the chebby drop shackes alone, you should be able to get about 3-4" or lift. With your stock 2" stock block you could get about 5" of lift. I have actually heard accounts that the exploder leafs will actually improve ride, most likely reducing axle hop.

 

[mhughes165]

With just exploder leafs and the chebby drop shackes alone, you should be able to get about 3-4" or lift. With your stock 2" stock block you could get about 5" of lift. I have actually heard accounts that the exploder leafs will actually improve ride, most likely reducing axle hop.

yep, thats exactly what i said, explorer leafs on a longbed ranger will gain 1.5" lift, so u run a shackle that will give u a 2" lift, and that will give u 3.5" lift, enough to keep the truck just about level maybe raked a bit forward....

 

[Sunk]

How much lift do you need? You can take apart both the Ex and Ranger leafs and cut the eyes off the Ranger main. Then put that under the Ex main leaf and put that in the truck. That should give you about 5-6" with extended shackles. Without the shackles, probably around 4. This is with the factory block in there.