Explorer leafs...

[Denisefwd93]

Who has done this? I was reading a couple threads about replacing the ranger leafs with Explorer leafs, it seems like a good idea and maybe even less work then burning out bushings on Springs that are already a lost cause.

 

[fastpakr]

I put a set in my '99 a few weeks ago out of an '01 Explorer Sport Trac. They're probably 4" taller than the stock Ranger leaves. I removed my 1.5" spacer and the factory 2.5" block, and the back is still 1.5" higher than the front. Also - rear eye bushings are the same as the Ranger, but the fronts are different.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Wow that's quite a bit but on the other hand my truck is always going to have a cap and something in the back for weight probably three to four hundred pounds always

I put a set in my '99 a few weeks ago out of an '01 Explorer Sport Trac. They're probably 4" taller than the stock Ranger leaves. I removed my 1.5" spacer and the factory 2.5" block, and the back is still 1.5" higher than the front. Also - rear eye bushings are the same as the Ranger, but the fronts are different.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've been running Explorer leaves for years... just regular 4 door explorer leaves give you about 1.5" of lift compared to stock in mine anyway... it's been 9 years since I had stock suspension but my rear still uses some Explorer leaves...

 

[fastpakr]

That's really interesting, Scott. My torsion bars are slightly tweaked to clear 33's, but on the back at this point I've completely removed the factory 2.5" lift blocks and with the new leaf pack my stock shocks are near full extension if the axle hangs. Definitely more than 1.5 in my case. I thought the Sport Trac and Explorer springs were about the same height, but maybe not.

 

[Denisefwd93]

This is really interesting I could even go one better and get the rear axle with it! all I would have to do is find Explorer rear end with the same ratio and limited-slip that my truck doesn't have!
but oh but oh Explorer axles are mounted on top of the spring Not underneath, right?

 

[adsm08]

This is really interesting I could even go one better and get the rear axle with it! all I would have to do is find Explorer rear end with the same ratio and limited-slip that my truck doesn't have!
but oh but oh Explorer axles are mounted on top of the spring Not underneath, right?

Right. Explorers are spring under, Rangers are spring over.

 

[BlackBII]

I used to have explorer leaves in my truck. They raised the rear enough to remove the factory blocks but maintain the stock ride height

With the factory leaves and blocks

With just the explorer leaves

 

[fastpakr]

This is really interesting I could even go one better and get the rear axle with it! all I would have to do is find Explorer rear end with the same ratio and limited-slip that my truck doesn't have!
but oh but oh Explorer axles are mounted on top of the spring Not underneath, right?

That's exactly what I'm doing, and the reason I'd inherited a set of Sport Trac springs in the first place. Picked up the axle, springs, a bunch of interior stuff, etc for a very reasonable price.

Yes - you'll need to deal with converting the axle from spring under to spring over. Ruff Stuff sells a great kit for the purpose. Still leaves you grinding off the old spring and shock mounts, then having the new ones welded in place.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Lots of possibilities here, thanks gentlemen

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've always heard 2" lift with explorer springs (and that 4 door springs are taller than 2 door)... been in the game for a long time and never actually measured

When I lifted the Ranger I had bought a used "kit" for a Ranger, turns out the leaf springs were almost a foot short and ended up just mix matching a set of leaf springs for what I needed, again, never measured as it just worked... now the front springs have sagged and the rear is tall instead of level like it used to be...

There's options when you put them in though if you don't want it taller, remove the overload leaves which is almost an inch...

A lot of people complain about the ride being too stiff, my leaf packs that have explorer main leaves ride pretty good and are pretty flexy, I don't remember having a complaint with them even when it was stock.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Well this is how my truck sits now, as you can see it's almost exactly level There are blocks under the rear springs, there is nothing under the front springs.

I think the front Springs are just about done with life because the camber bushings are almost maxed out.

 

[Craig0320]

That truck looks really good for the age. By the way, YOU LIVE NEXT TO EVERYONE. Sorry, I live on 20 acres and am not used to seeing all those houses next to each other.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Thanks Craig!

So a bit of a update here.. I have a failed right forward spring mount break. ( I was expecting this)

Anyways... looking for Exp springs is not finding anything cheap! At this point I'm reserved to getting "add a leaf" which would actually be cheaper. I'm looking for "long" not short add a leaf kits

The yay and nays of this appreciated, thanks all!

 

[bobbywalter]

where in pa? burgh....cannonsburg....washington?




i run 150 springs now....ran hybrid explorers for many years.



i would just leave the explorer mounts in place and put new mounts directly over them.

dont forget you have to flip the pin bolt.


its hard to get used springs worth using as they have been out of production for quite some time.


this is a good buy........https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/inde...&make_select=622&model_select=8187&x=104&y=13 great price on hardeware and hanger/shackle kits...

they have the 1250 pound springs for 77 dollars per side right now....they are chinese and i replace them every few years but i am hard on shit...the timbren bump replacements are good too.