Replacing stock springs with new aftermarket?

[Hypnotic Toast]

I've tried searching around and couldn't quite find an exact answer, so I thought I'd go ahead and make a post. After a faithful 11 years of service, my stock leaf springs are sagging, not by a lot but it's beginning to become noticeable. So I've been looking around online for replacements and it seems that there's a few different springs I can by. Now my truck has a "K" code for the rear leafs but I'm not exactly sure what that matches up to when looking at aftermarket springs.

I did find these: http://www.jcwhitney.com/replacemen...p2005966.jcwx?filterid=c11298d658y1999r200j1#
Which are 4 leaves instead of 3 and I rarely, if ever, haul anything (that's my dads F-250's job) so I'm trying to keep it to stock height.

I found these too: http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/leaf-springs/truck-suv/ford/ranger
But again, there are two different 3 leaf options and I dunno which would fit.

If anyone could help me figure it out or maybe has a reliable website they've bought some off of, that would great.

 

[dangerranger83]

Explorer leaves off a 4 door may help you out plus give a little lift too, depending on their condition. But seeing your truck is a 99, not sure if they will fit or not.

 

[scrizzo]

i second the explorer springs
i got mine for 50 bucks out of the junkyard... seeing as how ur 4x4 u should be able to swap the leaves and lose the stock lift block all while retaining ur ride height...

it does make the ride a little more stiff, but in my opinion it makes handling alot better

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

What year Explorer would I be looking for? And if I bought the new 4 leaf pack from the website I posted, would I be able to remove the block or would that not be enough? I was also curious as to how much of a lift the 4 leaf pack would offer as appose to the stock 3 leafs.

And do you guys know if either or both of the new 3 leaf packs I posted would fit?

 

[scrizzo]

the only difference i see in the two 3-leaf packs for the ranger is the arch.... one is 4 13/16 inches and the other is 6 inches theyre both rated the same and all... since your obviously set on buying new springs i would just go with the replacement ranger...
now the hard part is figuring which arch u need... the difference is a lil over an inch but the block is a 2 inch block.... u could get the 6 inch springs (theyre the cheaper set), take the block out and see what happens.
maybe u will still need it or maybe not or maybe u could go to a newer one inch block (i cant remember which year they started that but im sure someone could remind me

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Haha, well I'm not entirely set on new springs, but I ran the idea by my dad that I need them and he was all for buying a new pair, no questions asked.

And I already know that a set out of an Explorer would fit, so I was just wondering if both of the three spring options would fit like OEM and that the only difference was the arch.

 

[scrizzo]

i wish i KNEW which ones you needed but i dont....any of those options will fit its just a matter of how high your rear end will be after u install them...since u already have blocks it gives u a little bit of room to play

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Awesome, that's why I turn to this forum first before doing anything. Scrizzo, you're the sh*t.

 

[scrizzo]

ive gotten alot of info from here also, i spent a year and a half without saying a word, just read the forums....figured id try to start helpin out

 

[hidesertlivin]

Either one should work. It depends on what weight capacity you're after. As far as the block goes you may still need it. I you choose the Explorer route, any year Explorer pack should fit as long as the width is the same. I think early 90's have a higher capacity ratings look for code U in the door, also take a tape measure with to the boneyard to measure pack thickness and you may have to replace the bushings on used ones especially if you live in an area were salt is used.

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Either one should work. It depends on what weight capacity you're after. As far as the block goes you may still need it. I you choose the Explorer route, any year Explorer pack should fit as long as the width is the same. I think early 90's have a higher capacity ratings look for code U in the door, also take a tape measure with to the boneyard to measure pack thickness and you may have to replace the bushings on used ones especially if you live in an area were salt is used.

Ah, I was wondering about the bushings on an Exploder set, I live in Indiana and as we speak we have about 1"-2" of snow on the ground and salt is applied pretty much every other day to the roads. And a good heads up on measuring the pack thickness, that completely slipped my mind.

And I'm assuming that if I went with an Exploder set, since they are rated for a higher load capacity that they would be stiffer and would stiffen up the ride in the Ranger?

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

ive gotten alot of info from here also, i spent a year and a half without saying a word, just read the forums....figured id try to start helpin out

And help out you did, I did the same thing for a few months after I joined. The last thing I wanted to do was tell someone something that was wrong, I'd feel like an ass.

 

[scrizzo]

very true and yes, the higher the load capacity the stiffer the ride