leaf swap with newer models?

[2009autobot]

Been researching the leaf spring swap, but all I can seem to find are earlier models.
Can you still do this on a newer model year? I'm running a 2009 Sport 4x4, 8.8" axle.
Not looking to do any major offroading, just want a bit of extra clearance for deeper water and bigger rocks on some of the back roads that I frequent.
From what i've found, the leaf swap will give you 1.5-2 inches in the rear, and I'm going to do a t-bar lift in the front for a couple inches.

So if it still applies to newer models, what year explorer should I look for? And still the "F" axle? If I'm running the 8.8", is there a model of explorer or f150 that I can just swap out and bolt on the entire leaf spring/shackle/plate?

thanks,

 

[2009autobot]

Oh, and I'm also running the Rancho shocks....I shouldn't need longer ones right?

 

[railman]

look for a 3 leaf out of a 96 and newer 4 door EX ( of course before it went IRS ).....

you can just re-use your u-bolts and such since the EX shackles are a different design from the Rangers as well as the spring plates....just have to reverse the center bolt ( if you can get it apart ) since the EX is "spring under".....

when ya go to reverse the bolt make sure to use "C" clamps to keep the springs compressed.....I have just always got new center bolts and cut the old bolts.....

as for your shocks, since you said just mild wheeling I don't think you will need to replace them....

l8r, John

 

[DJ Skillz]

It may me different on the sport, but on my 2006 FX4, the 4D explorer springs were almost identical. They were the same exact thickness and arch.

I actually ended up taking a leaf out of the explorer pack and adding it to my OEM spring pack. It got me almost 2" of lift in the back.

Here's the explorer pack and my pack side to side:

The ranger pack:

The explorer pack:

The pack with the explorer leaf added:

The back is a little loaded down with the wheels & tires in the back, but I did measure before and after, and it got me just a hair under 2" of lift in the rear:

 

[cdawall]

Just get a $35 AAL and call it good.