Leaf springs & crumple zone

[Decker]

Any ideas on how strong the crumple zone is on the front of a '94 ranger? I'd like to do a leaf swap on my 2wd truck, however I'm concerned that I would have to rebuild the front frame horns.

Anyone out there actually done a leaf swap with the crumple zone and had any issues witht he frame bending in the front?

I'm planning on a D44/Sterline 10.25 combo since my truck's body is FUBAR and I'm tried of putting axles under my Bronco.

 

[brinker88]

Box them in with some 1/4" plate and call it good. Take a look at PlumCrazy's build. He just plated his frame but didnt go with leaves.

 

[railman]

I have leaves on my '96....

I used 3/16" plate to box in my frame horns forward of the bodymount...originally just to mount my winch bumper combo....

have been wheeling it pretty hard for what will be a year next month with no issues what so ever

l8r, John

 

[Bennybooster]

Mine are most of the way plated in too, it didn't take that long

 

[SeanWilson]

same, but i have only done the top and bottom to the mounts with 3/16” and i added a 3/16” DOM square tube to tie both sides together. ive tagged a few trees and im leaf sprung and havent had a single issue yet.

i did this just because i was not comfertble with that flimsy ass bumper mount/ crossmember.

 

[88_Eddie]

Kage plated his crumple zone and used leafs on his SAS. truck was for sale last i saw, but he has a build on here somewhere

 

[PlumCrazy]

1/4" plate back to the steering box. Remember to not make any vertical welds to the frame. It will fatigue and eventually crack.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Decker]

10-4, very nice work. Did you chop the horns off and rebuild? Or just cap the frame horns and reweld the rad/body mounts?

 

[PlumCrazy]

I just cut the bumper mounts off, and the body mounts off, then plated it. I was careful removing the mounts so I could weld them back on.

-PlumCrazy