Please provide input on new coils

[HarryTasker]

I have a '96 Ranger 4.0 4x4 splash with Dana30 front axle and a rusty's long arm kit for an xj. I am currently running these EB 4.5 coils. I do plan on upgrading to a TJ Rubicon Dana 44.

I want to add about 1" to 2" more of lift to the front. I think the coils I am using now are a little too soft for what I am comfortable with.

The options I have found so far are the same springs but 5.5" longer

I was looking att he skyjacker 6" softride coil springs for the ttb ranger lift, but it looks like those only give 4.5 inches of lift. Would the skyjacker 8" springs compress to about 6 inches of lift? Or shoudl teh skyjacker ttb spring sbe avoided and I should stay withthe EB springs?

Other ideas are welcome.

 

[ThatGuy]

Really need pics to visualize.

Depending on what your spring rate is and how much lift you have now would determine the possible suggestions you may get.
What size tires are you running?

At all costs, avoid going back to TTB springs. They are just too stiff.

Here's what I do know according to my own experiences, James Duff 3.5" EB coils are too soft for a big Explorer so if your truck is an extended cab I'd prolly stay away from them. They do provide 6" of lift and are flexy as hell but the body roll while driving on the road is nothing short of scary. They are (I believe) a 225-260 lbs/in spring (progressive rate)
The 5.5" springs are a great spring for a heavier vehicle, somewhere around 310-370 lbs/in. this is what I'm running now and love the way it drives on and off road. I got flex for days and it holds corners like it was stock. I don't know how much lift they gave me but I would guesstimate around 8+"

Here is mine as it sits now.

 

[HarryTasker]

The 4.5 EB coils I am running are from wild horses 4x4. They have a 5.5 spring I may go with, i am just wondering if there are any better options.

here is a link to all photos.

http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/harrytasker/1996 Splash/

 

[ThatGuy]

I followed the link you provided. They don't say what their spring rate is however. The rate will provide the info you need.

Both springs I spoke of earlier are 23" long static, the only difference is the spring rate. The softer spring sags more and gives 3.5" of lift while the stiffer of the two gives 5.5" of lift.
Depending on what your spring rate is now will let you know where you need to look as far as finding another set of springs.


EDIT: I skipped the back and forth and called wild horses---your 4.5" springs are 229-375 lbs/in and the 5.5" are 236-375 lbs/in. Since they are basically the same rate, you will get 1" of lift by going with a 1" taller spring. If you want more lift you will have to go to a higher rate spring.

 

[HarryTasker]

Thanks, I just orderd the 5.5 inch springs.

 

[ThatGuy]

Well that may not be what you should have done.
According to you, you didn't like the 4.5" springs saying they were too soft. The 5.5" springs you ordered are basically the same rate so they will be just as soft as what you have now. That's why I was telling you that you should step up a bit on the rate. Not to mention that by the pics it looks like you may need more than an inch of lift.

 

[HarryTasker]

The driving with the springs is fine, great actually. The first issue I am trying to over come is the trac bar rubbing up against the crossmember when the suspension gets compressed. I do plan on getting a customer trac bar for it that will help eliminate this, but I also wanted the front suspension to be a little higher than it is now. At first I wanted the 6" skyjacker springs, but I read that those sag to 4.5 inches and then there is the stiffness issues. Which also elimanted the skyjacker 8 inch. the coils that I have now have been on the truck for 4 year so i am guessing there is a little drop there.