Help!

[Unbreakable7132]

Any suggestions or ideas on how to tighten up the stock leaf springs suspension on an 89 2.3?

It's been lowered but it has alot of travel in the rear end and I don't want that.Anything I can do?

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

A rear sway bar will help in the handling department. Your bushings may be shot as well and new ones will firm up the ride slightly. A GOOD set of shocks goes a long way. What are you after with your truck?

James

 

[Unbreakable7132]

I flipped the rear spring hangers and lowered it substantially.I'm after a low, mean looking stance without moving to airbags.I thought about doing a 4 link with coilovers but it doesn't seem practical for the truck.I would actually like to keep leaf springs if I can.As far as shocks, they are brand new monroe shocks.I just don't want so much play in the rear end.I want very little bounce if any.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Bounce? Are you getting wheel hop over bumpy roads and turns? If so your rear end is too tight with the little weight that is in the back of the truck. If you are getting too much lean in the truck, get a rear sway bar and upgrade the front ones. I have hellwig bars front and rear on my truck and love them. I do need to shorten the rear end-links though because of the drop.

James

 

[Unbreakable7132]

What I'm after is the stiffest ride possible.I want the rear end to be as stiff as a little tuner with coilovers.I'm starting to think I can only get that with a 4 link and coilovers.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you can make the rear as stiff as you want. take your leaf pack out and start adding leaves till your little hearts content.

but beware that stiffer ISNT always better. the rear end of these trucks weights nothing and a really stiff spring is going to make you hop all over the place.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

But won't adding leafs to the pack inscrease the ride height?I want to keep it at it's current ride height.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

depends on how many leaves you add. 1-2" might be barely noticeable.

you could add longer shackles to make up for the taller spring pack and keep your ride height.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

Good Idea.I just don't like it squatting so much when I take off.I feel like I'm losing alot of that power just in it squatting down.Thanks for the advice.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

squatting down is a good thing, it absorbs the shock of the torque being laid down. watch some drag racing videos and notice how much traveling the rear end does during launch. without it, the tires are just going to break loose and youll never get a good hook.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

When I say squatting, I mean the rear end has to be dropping at least 6 inches.A friend told me that when I flipped the spring hangers, I gave it more play and travel, so it was natural that it was moving that much.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if it were me, i'd leave it. ive never seen an instance when the factory spring was too soft. if anything, it could stand to be softened up a little more.

i promis you you will not get any more power to the ground if you stiffen those leaves up...but ultimatly its up to you.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

How would I combat the body roll I get?It's pretty bad.Sway bars in order?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

as illegalconcepts already said, yes. new/ungraded sway bars are in order.

theres a 1" rear bar from certain BII's that fits the ranger that would be a good junkyard buy. aftermarket front bars are up in the 1.25 or more range i believe. poly bushings all around will also help firm up the feel of the truck without sacrificing control or ride quality.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The amount of leaves and the thickness of the leaves equates the rate of the spring. The arch equates the height. It is possilbe to lower a vehicle while adding a leaf. I've done it.