Explorer Spring Question

[shane96ranger]

I just hauled some topsoil in the Ranger for the first time, and I must say I was impressed. It was 1800 lbs of topsoil and it was about 1.5" from hitting the rubber bumpers on the frame.

My question is, I've heard of adding the Explorer leafs for more height, but do they allow more weight? I'm thinking I might do this and remove the factory blocks (I think it will sit about the same). But If I won't gain any capacity, I may take it and get it re-leafed.

 

[4x4junkie]

Springs will not gain you any capacity.

The maximum your rear axle is rated to carry safely is 2750lbs, and your truck empty takes up probably 1500 of that.

Swapping to an Explorer axle with it's larger wheel bearings is the only way you can safely haul more weight (and even then, you'll still need to take the effectiveness of your brakes into consideration).

 

[shane96ranger]

Swapping to an Explorer axle with it's larger wheel bearings is the only way you can safely haul more weight

I've seen this elsewhere on TRS and wondered why Ford would do that. My truck has an 8.8 like the Explorer does. Would mine not be the same rating as the Explorer already? The only differences I thought they had were the shock mounts, brakes, and the leaf location (and some Explorers had the speedo cable in the diff also). If I'm wrong, chalk one up for Ford for the "WTH were they thinking" award.

 

[4x4junkie]

The Ranger 8.8" shaft journals are 1.4", the Explorer is 1.625" (and is why it's rated 2750lbs and the Explorer axle is 3200lbs).

The Ranger axle also has 28 spline shafts vs. 31 for the Ex.

 

[shane96ranger]

I was not aware of that. Thanks for the info!

 

[tanbuddy]

i believe the fx4 level 2 has the same heavy duty axle as the exploere

 

[4x4junkie]

It does. However finding one might not be real easy.