front coil spring advice???

[fordtrucknut77]

hey guys, I am slowly getting the ranger to the garage to get its update.
Heres the build.
83 short bed ranger, fuel injected 5.0 np435 203/205 doubler, full width rear 9 spooled with 4.88s front hp full width 44 locked with 4.88s. and 38 tsls to finish it off.

Now what im wanting to know is if i run the full width axle with the 78 f150 style coil spring bucket what height coil spring am i gonna need?

fender trimming is not a concern. ill cut them off if i need to but I want plenty of flex

Im pretty sure I could get by with the JD 3.5 inch coils but will any other coil give me more flex such as the 5.5 inch coil or some other coil altogether like one from a jeep or something? thanks in advance!

 

[ThatGuy]

The height of the coil spring isn't important. Since you'll be swapping the buckets, you can put them at whatever height you want. The JD 3.5" coils are the softest I've found with a 175/225 lbs/in rating. I ran them on my Explorer when it still had the TTB. They will flex all day but street driving was kinda scary. When I done my SAS I swapped to the 5.5" coils that are rated at 310 lbs/in, much better street manners and still flex very well.

 

[fordtrucknut77]

hm, very good point i was planning on ordering the 3.5 inch springs but i didnt wanna order them and them have them not be tall enough. im currently running EB axles with stock f 150 coils in the factory ranger buckets and was clearing 34s. so i was thinking the 3.5inch springs would be enough for 38s and im not concerned about road manners. if it sees the highway at all it will just be from one trail to the other.