Leaf spring sas

[custom '90 ranger]

I am fixin to do a sas on the ranger and i want to do leaf springs and was wondering if anybody had much experience with a leaf spring swap and if they had any pointers

Lucas

 

[88_Eddie]

check with Kage, he did a leaf sprung D44 on his ranger. his build thread is somewhere on here

 

[custom '90 ranger]

thanks

Lucas

 

[railman]

I just did a leaf sprung SAS....

depending what your intention is, I ended up doing shackles in the front because I wanted to try to keep the truck as low as possible....

if height isn't a concern than rear shackles would definately offer a better ride...

check out the last couple of pages of my build thread....

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99262

l8r, John

 

[custom '90 ranger]

hey John

I looked at that and it really helps do you have any kind of measurements from your swap im looking at using jeep axles that i got free from a buddy out of a 1975 cj 5 and i am just trying to get some ideas to get myself pointed in the right direction

Lucas

 

[railman]

well, since I used full-size axles the measurements will be different....

also depends on the leaf springs you use....length and what-not...and how much lift ya want....

also, CJ axles have a passenger-side drop pumpkin up front....have you accounted for comeing up with a different transfer-case to make up for that??

I know they are free, but changing your drive line to compensate for the different drop may be more expensive in the long run....not to mention CJ axles are notoriously weak for actual wheelin'...

what size tire do you wish to run???

what type of wheelin' do you like to do, or no wheelin' at all???

are you willing to trim ya fenders, do you still want it street legal (depends on the state you live in, I see your in TN wich is pretty lax in the legal dept., but saying in general for others that may read this) ???

those are all questions ya need to ask yourself first....then ask others if you are unsure....but, you will get a variety of opinions on that subject ( cause of course different regions need different style 4x4's )....

hope that helps ya a little....

l8r, John

 

[custom '90 ranger]

you know i had forgot all about that and hadn't even thought about the passenger drop down and im glad you reminded me of that i also have a 44 out from under an early model bronco i was thinkin about using but i want to do a leaf spring swap for the simple lift factor i know i can get a little more flex out of the coils but my ranger dont see a ton of off road time just here and there and it is used on road mostly but i appreciate the help now to get back on the drawing board

Lucas

 

[railman]

to be honest, an EB 44 with coils would be easier than leaves....

re-use your stock coil buckets, just do the spring retainer mod as outlined in the Tech Library....

use the stock EB radius arms....they are basically the same length as Ranger TTB extended arms....

only real fab work is to make a track bar mount....but, that too is covered extensively around here, as well as the availability of some bolt on ones....

and while ya doin that, get ya a 8.8 out of a 95+ Explorer for the 31 spline axles and disc brakes

when ya get this done, bring her over to Mont Eagle or Tracy City to do a little wheelin'.....

l8r, John

 

[custom '90 ranger]

well you have really helped me out i think im going to start my build next week if i can and get that EB 44 cleaned up and stuff and like you said get me a good 8.8 and i will have my axles licked

And the wheelin' sounds good once i get her rollin again just holler at me next time you go

Lucas