Heavy duty rear springs

[eaglescout94]

I picked up a cool little flatbed ranger and after looking it over some I found out the rear springs definitely need replaced. One side has a broke spring and both sides are flat. I know there's the chevy spring swap, explorer springs and several ranger options. One of those ranger packs is the 1750lb springs. Does anyone have any experience with these or have a good replacement option to handle some weight? The truck will mainly be a backup driver but I do plan on using it as a truck, within reason, I've got a 1 ton for heavy work. Articulation won't be a huge concern but I'm sure I'll wind up on some light trails in the woods just enjoying myself. I'm not opposed to some lift since I do plan to run 31s on it and I'm sure the front could use freshened up and lifted a little as well. Ill start up a build thread soon to document my progress on it, springs, manual swap, some work on the flatbed and a camper shell for it

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Lot of people run the 1750 springs. Dad has a set of them but we haven’t used them yet. Most of my trucks have junkyard springs that I’ve added leafs to, but I’m not really happy with the ones I built for my green Ranger so once I get the front handled I intend to re-visit the rear and possibly try the 1750 or see about a custom pack from a spring shop

 

[eaglescout94]

I’m not sure how heavy my flatbed is, going off the tail end I cut off to start shortening it I’d say fairly heavy compared to the stock bed. Id hope the higher weight rating would hold the same arch height vs a lighter spring and sheetmetal bed. Local to me I don’t know of many parts yards and people seem to think there used parts are gold, I plan to keep the truck for a long time so a new set cost doesn’t scare me off much.
If I can find a set to lift it a little and get rid of the block that would be awesome but I know I might have to play with block sizes to get the look I want. I attached the passenger rear spring pic. You can see the broke leaf and relatively how flat the pack is

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yup, those are toast. They also are definitely not 1750# springs. Those look like main leaf, single leaf, and overload. Not the lightest rated leaf from the factory, but the heavy duty packs had a main, two leafs and an overload from the factory. I want to say the 1750# pack is a main, three leafs and an overload.

A Chevy drop shackle can be used in place of the factory shackle to eliminate a factory block.

 

[eaglescout94]

I cant remember off hand what spring code or axle rating I have but I figured after seeing the HD springs say 5 leaves i definitely didn't have them. Probably will be placing and order for the HD springs and Belltech shackles by the end of the weekend. Figure I can always add in a leaf from another pack or have a small block if needed to get the right look. The previous owners definitely beat on the poor little truck, used to be a onsite service truck for running around the property. They'd tweeked the flatbed frame where it went past the truck frame and it never got pas 35 MPH. Manual swap time

 

[sgtsandman]

I have 1,750# springs on my 2011. I used these: https://www.generalspringkc.com/200...r-leaf-spring-5-4-1-leaves-1750-lbs-capacity/

They have worked well for me. I've had 1,500# of retaining wall block, plus a reinforced fiberglass cap on the truck and the rear end only had a slight sag to it.

 

[eaglescout94]

I don’t suppose you had any pre/ post measurements? That’s awesome to hear though, thank you. I’ll definitely lean towards the heavier if not the heaviest factory rating I can get in either aftermarket springs or a local shop.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don’t suppose you had any pre/ post measurements? That’s awesome to hear though, thank you. I’ll definitely lean towards the heavier if not the heaviest factory rating I can get in either aftermarket springs or a local shop.

I do not. When I was installing those springs, I was also installing #1 torsion bars and pre-2008 torsion bar keys and axle blocks. So, the truck was getting a lift anyway. The entire project lifted the truck about 1.5" - 2.0" from it's stock configuration. Mainly to get the 31" all terrain tires the clearance they needed so they wouldn't rub anymore. I figured that if I'm paying the extra money for a class 2 truck, I was going to get as much use out of that extra registration cost as I could.

 

[eaglescout94]

No worries. I appreciate the real world experience. I was able to do some searching and found some measurements I’ll compare to mine and go from there. Now just to get all my various costs and figure out where I’m getting them from.

 

[sgtsandman]

No worries. I appreciate the real world experience. I was able to do some searching and found some measurements I’ll compare to mine and go from there. Now just to get all my various costs and figure out where I’m getting them from.

I also got these since I was replacing all of the hardware. I think your year uses the same size bolts front and rear. My front ones were bigger and the rear ones for the shackle were both of the smaller size. I don't remember the size but this place sold everything I needed.

Greasable Bolts

Greasable Bolts

www.offroaddesign.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have Explorer springs in mine. I don't know how the weights compare, empty with a normal bed it is a little stiff. With a fiberglass topper it rides great. Loaded is great too.

It is also a standard cab too.

 

[eaglescout94]

I think mine are 9/16 front and rear while yours is 9/16 front and 5/8 rear or vice versa. But the greaseable bolts is a great idea.

I figure between the flatbed and the utility shell I’ll have on it during the winter it’s gonna be heavy. Even with heavy springs it should still ride pretty fair.

 

[eaglescout94]

Hopefully will hear from the spring shop tomorrow but I have the option of rock auto. Could have sworn I checked them out previously but it looks like roughly $325 for 2 HD leaf packs to my door. Then to pickup bolts, u bolts and most likely the Chevy drop shackles.

 

[eaglescout94]

Placed another order through Rock Auto. The local shop was gonna be $195 for a 4 leaf pack and either do a stock order, 2-3 weeks out, or special order at $35 extra for each pack. Online was $333 to my door including 2 pairs of door hinge pins and bushings. When I go to the hardware store this week ill check out the bolts and maybe pick them up as well. Ill get the truck jacked up tonight and get it prepped for some new springs.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I paid a little more for my 1750lb rear springs from the local spring shop. Simply because I trusted them more then waiting to see what got delivered from the internet.

It also worked in my favor for u-bolts and hardware. They had the parts there and the cost was minimal.

They made a few easy dollars from me but the owner showed me around the shop and told me if I needed anything to come see him. I just think supporting local places when it makes sense is important and builds your network.