Shopping for new leaf springs need advice

[Eddo Rogue]

I decided to replace my janky looking rear leaf springs. Of course theres 500 options...and the few old threads I found about it weren't much help...

On rock auto, I found 1100lb,1250lb,1350lb and 1750lb. Any brands I should avoid?

Im usually a middle of the road kinda guy...and will probably go 1250lb or 1350lb, unless someone talks me otherwise.

Besides off road use, and sometimes during, the truck will be hauling dirt bikes, fuel, gear etc, and sometimes pulling a trailer or running a hitch basket of crap as well.

Bed will be empty or less than 500lbs load probably about 60% of time. Ride quality, and mostly handling/traction, is of some concern.

Also ride height, I dont want it lifted, I just barely installed a leveling kit and got rid of the stinkbug stance, and don't want it back.

I will throw in some fresh bilsteins or ranchos as well.

I wanna to keep it stock bolt in replacement for now, no hacking until custom lift later (no chevy springs swap, no shackle flips).

Im not humping a junk yard truck for used springs, to save $20 bucks, especially now that's its 90+ degree days. Just swapping shiny new leafs at home will be a chore.

They sell shackles, bushings etc. too, wondering if I should replace those as well sight unseen. Seeking experience/advice/suggestions.

 

[Curious Hound]

The door jamb sticker should tell you which springs you need. There is a code and there Should be info on our tech section for deciphering which code indicates which springs. Cab size and bed length will make a difference in which ones would be best.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Thanks B.
My spring code W4X.
I searched and found code x is a 5560 spring.
Then I refined the search to find weight rating. got 1100 lbs.
Described as 2 leaves plus a helper, which is what I have.
I can imagine wanting to go a little beefier, maybe 1250lb at least, unless there is advice against it for some reason.
What would be the drawbacks of going beefier? taller height? harsher ride? Cost is not a factor.

 

[Curious Hound]

Yes. Slight height increase and slightly harsher ride. From 1100 to 1250, you might not even notice the difference.

“ Cost is not a factor”

Wish I could roll like that.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Yes. Slight height increase and slightly harsher ride. From 1100 to 1250, you might not even notice the difference.

“ Cost is not a factor”

Wish I could roll like that.

I should have added "relatively" lol. But like Dirtman said, these things were built by bean counters... so a few extra bucks for much improvement makes sense to me.

I figured as much, and negligible difference in ride quality/height would be worth a little higher load rating...

I do wonder would the 1750lb be too much? its the highest load rating I found.

 

[Blmpkn]

I should have added "relatively" lol. But like Dirtman said, these things were built by bean counters... so a few extra bucks for much improvement makes sense to me.

I figured as much, and negligible difference in ride quality/height would be worth a little higher load rating...

I do wonder would the 1750lb be too much? its the highest load rating I found.

1750s would give you way more lift than what could be considered negligible. You'd be increasing the spring rate by 60% Would probably ride like crap unloaded too. I have 1250s and I wasn't a fan of the ride without any weight in the back. Now that I have the flatbed that weighs 100 pounds or so more than the factory bed it rides better, but still not awesome.

Keep in mind, the packs you have now are likely wicked saggy. Even replacing them with the same rate packs would end up lifting your back end until they've seen as many miles and as much work as the ones that are on it now.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

hmm yea maybe I just stick w/ 1100 or maybe go 1250. They have a 3/1 leaf (vs 2/1) 1100lb that might be a slight upgrade.

 

[Blmpkn]

If it gives you any better idea on loading and such.. my (unleveled 2wd) truck sits 1" higher in the back with the 1250s unloaded. But with 350ish pounds "winter weight" itll sit level.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

No winter weight here, it doesn't snow.....I figured 1100 or 1250, then found options on free arch...I started another thread about it, but now wondering if I should get the ones that have the most free arch.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

What do the spring manufacturer say about spring arch? I'm interested now too.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

What do the spring manufacturer say about spring arch? I'm interested now too.

Dang I haven't even bothered to look up stock spring free arch!....This all started when Rock auto provided such specs as load rating, free arch, pack thickness, leaf stack etc....now Im looking at a leaf spring like its a rocketship....

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Perhaps I should have carried on here instead of starting another thread lol...but here it is if u wanna jump around...

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/leaf-spring-free-arch.187963/#post-1766592

 

[Eddo Rogue]

these are the options I am sifting thru

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1993,ranger,4.0l+v6,1137923,suspension,leaf+spring,7544

 

[19Walt93]

My 2wd regular cab long box came with 1100 lb, 2+1 springs. The truck is lowered and the rear sat about 2" too low so I got some 1250lb, 3+1 springs and it didn't raise it a bit. It rides good and firm now, some might say harsh. Some Belltech shackles fixed the ride height.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Maybe just stay with the lighter springs... then go with air bags to level when loaded.