80's Ranger 4x4 for the Trails

[eightynine4x4]

Even if everything goes right it is a major PITA and for all your effort you still have old springs... but with new bushings.

Then maybe I just replace the leaf springs. I’m still trying to figure out the leaf spring situation in my truck though.. Is this just an OEM set?
If so, then I’m still confused as to how my rear suspension lift is achieved. The added block is a little over 2”, so in theory that’s not enough to meet the level of the front lift which is likely around 4”. Truck doesn’t sit low in back either. If anything the back is a tad higher.

 

[Curious Hound]

It may already have longer shackles.

I'll see if I can get a picture of my OEM shackles later. I think they're still here somewhere, waiting to be thrown away.

 

[MikeG]

Spring pack appears to have at least one leaf added, if it was original. Notice that one of the leaves doesn't have a "pad" on the end, and the curvature is different, as well as the taper on the end. Kinda looks like an Explorer leaf stuck in a Ranger springpack but no way to be sure. It also could have a different main leaf than original. If you can measure the thickness of the individual leaves with a caliper, that might shed some light on the situation. Anyway if it doesn't ride too terribly rough then no big deal.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Stock shackle?

 

[eightynine4x4]

 

[Roert42]

The shackles look like they are riveted to the frame, makes me think they are stock, unless they have carriage bolts on them.

 

[MikeG]

Looks about right. The key measurement is the length of the shackle, bolt-to-bolt.

 

[Curious Hound]

The spring hangers are riveted to the frame. The shackle is the part between that and the rear end of the spring. Here are OEM shackles from a 93 Ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The shackles look like they are riveted to the frame, makes me think they are stock, unless they have carriage bolts on them.

The shackle brackets are.

If you replace shackles get new brackets too. Well worth the $30/side to not have to extract bolt that holds the shackle to the bracket.

My rear suspension rebuild from earlier this year is here:

'85 Ranger Restomod

Last winter was a good one. A year ago we had a blizzard this past week, today it was in the 60's.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[eightynine4x4]

The shackle brackets are.

If you replace shackles get new brackets too. Well worth the $30/side to not have to extract bolt that holds the shackle to the bracket.

My rear suspension rebuild from earlier this year is here:

'85 Ranger Restomod

Last winter was a good one. A year ago we had a blizzard this past week, today it was in the 60's.

www.therangerstation.com

So you’re saying that it’s easier to grind off the riveted bolts holding the shackle bracket to the frame than it is to try to detach the shackle from the bracket? I’m definitely planning to get new leaf springs and not deal with their bushings. I’m assuming attaching a new leaf spring to a new shackle will be easy peasy but am saddened to hear that attaching a new shackle to an old bracket is going to be a nightmare haha.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So you’re saying that it’s easier to grind off the riveted bolts holding the shackle bracket to the frame than it is to try to detach the shackle from the bracket? I’m definitely planning to get new leaf springs and not deal with their bushings. I’m assuming attaching a new leaf spring to a new shackle will be easy peasy but am saddened to hear that attaching a new shackle to an old bracket is going to be a nightmare haha.

Oh god yes. Especially if you don't pull the bed (which can be a very interesting side quest in itself)

Grind eight rivets, tap out the remains and bolt on new bracket. You don't even have to pull the assembly off the springs if you replace the springs at the same time.

 

[Curious Hound]

Judging by the amount of rust you have, I'd take his ^^^ advice. If your frame looked like mine, I'd argue with him.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Damn that sounds nice. Demolish 8 rivets and I’m a free man. I’m sold. Time to shop for all three segments. I’m assuming OEM leaf springs are ok? @85_Ranger4x4 i saw in your build thread you wanted to install an Explorer set of leafs.
What’s the deal with that? I’ve seen it mentioned elsewhere too.
I’m perfectly fine with OEM along with the lift shackles but am just curious what’s up with the explorer design ..?

 

[sgtsandman]

The springs look like my 1,750# springs. I count 4 leafs and the over load plate. Factory was usually 3 leafs and the over load plate for 1,250#. Depending on the site you look at 1,250# springs are listed as 4 leaf or 3/1 and 1,750# springs as 5 leaf or 4/1.

The heavier spring will lift the truck some by itself. The ride will be stiffer as well.

 

[eightynine4x4]

The springs look like my 1,750# springs. I count 4 leafs and the over load plate. Factory was usually 3 leafs and the over load plate for 1,250#. Depending on the site you look at 1,250# springs are listed as 4 leaf or 3/1 and 1,750# springs as 5 leaf or 4/1.

The heavier spring will lift the truck some by itself. The ride will be stiffer as well.

That has to be the missing part of the rear suspension lift equation, since the lower block in the stack isn't enough in total to make sense. I'll go ahead and look for the 1,750# set. Do they bolt up the same in terms of "distance"? Should i be looking for some other particular truck's model that has 1750#'ers that are already known to work on the ranger frame?