move leaf springs

[sirhc2004]

any one ever moved their leaf springs to inside the frame rails?......ive seen it on a finished ranger but have no clue how to do it......would like to do this to my ranger.....thanks for any help.....and if you have pics i can look at em and see how it was done

 

[srteach]

The first step would be to relocate the gas tank. Then You need to drop the rear axle and remount the spring perches and shock mounts. Then ...

If you don't have a basic idea about how to do it, you are in for a treat and a whole lot of work. And after you are all done, the truck would be really prone to leaning on turns unless you find some real stiff springs.

 

[sirhc2004]

im gona put a fuel cell in it in the bed....its gona be a pro street truck....i kinda have a general idea how its done and i think im gona have to box in the frame to make it work......a friend told me to put driver side spring mounts on the inside of the passenger side frame rails and same for other side......would that work after i box it in?

 

[chvlfrk]

My RAT Ranger project>>>

Is similar to what you wanta do, what you describe is what most call "back-halfin"...................here's pics of mine (I used 01 Explorer front spring mounts and custom made the rear shackle mounts.................
From this:

To this:

I'm plannin on runnin 15X12 wheels with 29X14.50 Hoosier Pro Street tires and have them INSIDE the wheelwells!

 

[slammedxonair]

a back half is cutting off the frame at the cab and building a new frame, and then theres firewall back as well usually for a stock floor body drop.

I say 4 link it with coil overs.

 

[chvlfrk]

Yep!

a back half is cutting off the frame at the cab and building a new frame. I say 4 link it with coil overs.

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This is true, I stand corrected.

Are you plannin on narrowin the rearend? If not, I don't think it's doable, as I thought the same before, but lookin at movin the original spring mounts from side to side as described above, the springs would interfere with the breather tube, and come real close to the center section housin.
Here's an open/bed off shot so you can see what I'm talkin bout:
Green 94 with 98 Explorer 8.8>

Black 94 before puttin Explorer suspension setup under it>

 

[sirhc2004]

yea ive thought about a narrowed 9 inch....but its easier and cheaper fpr a 8.8 from explorer........and were those holes there for the front spring mounts?...and what kind of springs did you use?......what you have done is what i want to do but better then my plan....and now to think of it the springs would probably interfear with the center.....and in response to srteach... dont have to turn on a drag strip....but thanks for the help....i will use stiff ones

 

[chvlfrk]

yea ive thought about a narrowed 9 inch....but its easier and cheaper fpr a 8.8 from explorer........and were those holes there for the front spring mounts?...and what kind of springs did you use?......what you have done is what i want to do but better then my plan....and now to think of it the springs would probably interfear with the center.....and in response to srteach... dont have to turn on a drag strip....but thanks for the help....i will use stiff ones

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1. Had to drill the 4 holes and I used grade 8 hardware.
2. I used the stock Ranger springs.

As you can see in the pics, I removed that sloped rear crossmember and welded in a piece 2X4X1/4" rectangular tubing.

 

[JoshT]

Will the ranger Shocks work with that set-up? I've been contemplating something like this, but want to be able to use the Eldebrock shocks I bought but haven't gotten installed yet.

 

[chvlfrk]

Will the ranger Shocks work with that set-up? I've been contemplating something like this, but want to be able to use the Eldebrock shocks I bought but haven't gotten installed yet.

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YES, as the yellow shocks are stock replacement Monroes....

 

[TS6034]

I really like the idea of the springs under the frame because of the room it leaves for slicks. I'm building another ranger and I want to move the springs or eliminate them and use ladder bars or a four link.

Did putting the leafs under the axle raise the truck at all and is your truck lowered?

 

[chvlfrk]

I really like the idea of the springs under the frame because of the room it leaves for slicks. I'm building another ranger and I want to move the springs or eliminate them and use ladder bars or a four link.

Did putting the leafs under the axle raise the truck at all and is your truck lowered?

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Raisin the truck: Not really, since I have an Explorer rearend swapped in it, and as seen in the pics, I used aftermarket adjustable shackles so I was able to set it where I wanted it.

Lowered: Yes, due to Explorer 8.8 swap.

THANKS for the interest!!!

BTW: I bought a set of 15x12 Weld Draglites with 7.5" backspacin yesterday

Now I just gotta save for the 29x14.50 Hoosier tires.

 

[TS6034]

That is going to look so bad ass with those meats out back!

Sorry about the above post. I got too excited to read and take note that you used an explorer axle! I'm just brain storming about what I'm going to do with mine.

 

[chvlfrk]

BOOST to an old thread>>>

That is going to look so bad ass with those meats out back!
I'm just brain storming about what I'm going to do with mine.

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Here's the BOOST:
Green 94 mod just done, 28X15.50 Pro Street tires on 15X12 Draglites

And FTW: INSIDE the wheelwells