Stock Coil and leaf Spring replacement

[robmedina]

I have a 97 ranger, 2.3L 2wd. If I change the coils and leaf springs and put stock new in would it raise the truck up?
Currently my truck sites level when I have cable (telephone wire) in the back and my tools. If I have alot of cable it starts to sag slightly- this is what I am trying to avoid.
I read that helper springs, or add a leafs make the rear to stiff-

The truck has 171,000 miles on it and the front end feels nice and tight (tighter than any chevy I have ever owned!) so the other thought is , is this even really necessary?

any help would be appreciated!

 

[rangerbum]

New springs will lift it a touch. Maybe an inch. But the stock regular cabs have a pretty solid rake to them with good springs. I'll bet the rear will get more lift than the front. So it will be great for hauling gear tools wire, whatever could weigh it down.

Want to make the truck ride and handle better than ever grab a rear sway bar from a 4x4 or extended cab out of a wrecking yard and put it in. Biggest difference I've made in ride and control, and it only cost me 10 bucks.

 

[robmedina]

Thanks Rangerbum- yes a rear amti sway bar is on the list. When coming over the Ben Franklin bridge in Philly I often times come down sideways because of how bad the bumps are!

 

[rangerbum]

Very similar reason why I mine in, and it did more than I expected. Drives better in snow and ice now, ride quality is not quite so shopping cartlike any more lol.

Only thing, putting it in sucks because you have about a quarter of an inch between the frame and gas tank to get a wrench on the nut on the inside of the frame. Had a socket stuck in there for an hour before I got it out.

 

[doorgunner]

adjustable heavy duty rear air shocks....use low pressure for no-load=smooth ride(& you adjust the rake as you see fit).....use high pressure for work loads=smooth ride & level truck...... no stiff springs to make the rear end hop like crazy over bumps!!!!

 

[rangerbum]

That's a good option doorgunner mentioned.

I have some heavy duty rear shocks that rely on coilover design. I can remove the coils, which makes the truck ride so much better empty. Just a pain in the butt process to remove each shock, then add/remove each coil each time I need to adjust.

Shoulda got the air shocks, but for know, I don't mind. Don't need to haul as much now as I usually do.