63s or expo leafs. Which would you do.

[schaffer]

After going over my ranger I've realized that my leafs are shot. The ride quality is terrible and makes the truck no fun to ride in.

It appears that the pervious owner took the overload leaf out ,leaving my with 3 leafs. I drove about 4-5 months with 300 pounds of sand in the back for traction during the winter. This coupled with the removed spring makes me believe that's why they are shot.

I can get a set of Chevy 63 springs with new bushings for 50 bucks from a friend. I can also get whatever explorer springs I need at the local u pull it,for a similar price.

I would throw the 63s in but then I have to move my front mount and get Chevy rears.at least to my knowledge that's what I need to to.I'd think it would be easier and faster to get the expo springs,drop them in and be on my way.


I am not looking for lift on my truck. It's stock except to a mild t crank,body lift and 31s. I would however like a better ride quality and an increased load capacity. I haul from time to time.Things like wheels and tires,a quad and home improvement supplies. I'm not looking to turn my truck into Being able to haul full size loads.


Here's a picture of why I think my leafs are shot.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I put 1996 Ford Explorer 4dr springs in mine, was told they had something like 90k on them IIRC.

The load:

The stance:

It rode really nice with the junk in the back, empty it isn't too bad but is harsher than it was originally (with whopped 27 year old springs)

I did get a little extra lift in the back because I put in a 31 spline 8.8 which has bigger tubes and the perches didn't hug the axle so tight.

 

[Bennybooster]

63's all day long

 

[brinker88]

FWIW tho, those spring packs arent shot. And the overload leaf is still in tact.

 

[schaffer]

Overall they seem fairly flat to me. Leads me to think they are shot. The 4 leaf explorer leafs seem like a pretty decent upgrade.

Just take off the stock leafs,swap in the expo spring and re assemble. Only thing I need to do is reverse the spring pin.

I can take an impact to the you pull it and it shouldn't be terribly hard to get them off.

The only reason I stray away from the 63s is that I don't want to grind off the stock rivets and drill my frame.

 

[03ranger30]

That's why I would sway more towards the expo leaves because I don't wanna have to grind and drill my frame either

 

[schaffer]

I'm leaning toward the expo leafs. Plug and play in my book.

Now I just need to find a 4 door to rip some off of.

 

[hoosier1104]

For ease of swap, I recommend Expo leafs. I may do that to mine in the future.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I can take an impact to the you pull it and it shouldn't be terribly hard to get them off.

Famous last words...

 

[03ranger30]

My luck I would go to the jy and all the bolts would be seized and then the truck would fall and kill me while I was trying to get them off

 

[schaffer]

Oh I'll make it work haha. The one local scrap yard just opened their own u pull it. All the vehicles they get that people scrap are going there. Shouldn't be too hard finidng a decent set.

All the cars in the yard are jacked up. They use a similar set up to Harry's u pull it. I'll probably be looking for some in the next couple of weeks.

 

[03ranger30]

Well the closest one to me is Crazy Ray's, and the only way to get a car lifted is to talk to the loader operator who doesn't even speak english....

 

[schaffer]

Both u pull it yards don't allow jacks in. Everything is up on blocks and usually have the wheels already taken off for easy access.