Leaf Spring Swap - F150 to Explorer Sport?

[Kranky]

Hey there!

I’m hoping you guys can help me out. I have a 2001 Explorer Sport with a sagging rear end. I saw the post about changing the leaf springs on a Bronco II to a 4 door Explorer model. What years will fit my 2 door Sport. I have also seen a post on another form where they mentioned an F150 leaf Spring set up will fit. Is this true? What about ride? What ride height can I expect. I just want the thing to sit level.
Thanks for the help!

Rick

 

[bobbywalter]

the 150 2wd will work, but they do change things alot, especially ride wise.

but for what your looking for you want the same springs you have.

 

[Kranky]

Thanks for the reply bobbywalter.
Won't the same springs still make it ride low in the rear?
What kind of changes in ride will I have. Rougher is ok but will it bounce it all over the place? I don't off road with it. I just want level.
I should mention it is 4x4. Do I still need 2 wheel drive springs from the f150?

 

[bobbywalter]

maybe put the 150 leafs under the sploder main. but it needs clamps when you do that. 150 itself will get 1.5-3 inches of lift. they are shorter so shackle angle can be an issue causing shit ride, and move the axle a lil, but likely not enough to bug ya.

or put the sploder pack under the 150 main....or just get an aal...

sometimes you just have to play around with them to get what you want.

 

[Kranky]

How much lift will I get with an aal? Will I need new hardware?

 

[Tony Raine]

make it easy and get a set of shackles. around 1.5" of lift, only 4 bolts, just need a jack, jackstands, and a wrench

Warrior Shackles WAR 153. prices vary, around 60 bux

 

[canyoncritter]

4x4 f150 have a 3inch wide spring (up to 96)
4x2 f150 come with a 2.5inch wide spring(up to 96)

not sure what happen in 97 newer's


explorers,rangers, broncoii come with 2.5inch wide springs..

 

[tanbuddy]

80-96 f150 2wd : and ranger springs measure out pretty close in length, i can crawl under tomorrow with my tape if u want exact measurements, right now i have a 85 F150 2wd, 01 F150 4x4, and a 86 Full size bronco 4x at myhouse

SOME 2wd light 80-96 F250s: have 2 1/2 inch springs, but are rare, most are the hd wiht 3 inch springs

97-03 F 150 : 2 and 4 wd have 2.5 inch wide springs, but i think they are a little longer than ranger and old body full size springs

04+ F 150: are all 3 inch wide, and i think are longer yet

 

[yellowford]

Theres a lot of guys who have taken the second leaf from a f150 and added it to their explorer pack. The F150 leafs are 2.5in wide from 80's up to 96 I believe. There has been lot of talk about it on Explorer forum.

 

[CopyKat]

I've run full F150 leaves in my BroncoII. They are better an most would think. They don't stack up to wheeling very well. Mine were starting to sag after 4 trips of abuse. Bumpstops would likely have helped.

 

[Yellowsplash]

I wouldnt put f150 leafs in an explorer sport...that just seems alittle too aggressive to me. The explorer sport has less leafs and a lower spring rate than 4 door explorers. I put a set of code F leaf springs from a 99 4 door explorer in my 95 sport. Leveled it back out. If you want, you could even slip an extra leaf from another pack in there to help level it if the prior isnt enough. I would do that before adding the warrior shackles.

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

make it easy and get a set of shackles. around 1.5" of lift, only 4 bolts, just need a jack, jackstands, and a wrench

Warrior Shackles WAR 153. prices vary, around 60 bux

If you are going to get shackles, get a boomerang shackle for anti-kickback because it sucks to ruin a good send of springs.