The ranger 'lean'...swap the leafs?

[icetherice]

In the middle of installing the 4/5 DJM drop so I have the rear all apart.
I've read a bit about the ranger lean over time and I'm wondering if there's any merit to exchanging the driver's and passenger's side leaf springs in order to kind of...balance out 18 years of imbalanced load.

I plan to measure the dimensions between the eyes on both springs and the floor to the top of the arch..just to compare them and see if one has gone flatter than the other and if this is even worth doing.

 

[shadetreebronco]

In my opinion the passenger side springs get more worked so wear a bit more.
I have swapped them if i have them out.

 

[icetherice]

In the future I may, but the difference in the measurements between the springs was almost nil so I didn't. Probably wouldn't have hurt though.

 

[Dirtman]

I use to make leaf springs for a living, it was pretty much standard procedure to make a separate left and right spring pack. Unless the vehicle had weird specs the passenger side spring was generally bent around 1/2" taller. Reason being, roads in the US are not flat. They are all mounds to drain water, so driving on the right as we do in America means passengers side is always in the "ditch". The slightly taller spring makes the vehicle ride level on lopsided roads and compensate for the more abuse of being on the side most likely to experience pot holes, curbs, and children.

Point being, they SHOULD meaure differently and swapping them is counterproductive. If they do measure vastly different with the passenger side being lower... Replace the spring pack.

 

[adsm08]

If they do measure vastly different with the passenger side being lower... Replace the spring pack.

But Rangers usually lean to the left because of the battery, driver, and fuel tank all being on that side.

 

[Dirtman]

But Rangers usually lean to the left because of the battery, driver, and fuel tank all being on that side.

Eh my point stands valid which ever way its leaning lol. A leaning spring is a worn spring.

 

[icetherice]

Dirtman, that's some good information, I didn't think about that.

The Ford part numbers between the leaf springs are identical though, so I have to believe they are intended to measure the same on the Ranger.

 

[Dav]

my parts truck, 89 ext cab, has 3 leaf and helper springs. i plan to put them in my 88 std cab, (4 leafs) to ease the ride a bit.
the plastic that sits between the leaves is rather shot so i want to replace it while the springs are on the ground. does that plastic have a name and where would i get it?

 

[pjtoledo]

try these for starters, may be other brands

Trail Gear 110120-1-KIT: Leaf Spring Slip Pad | JEGS

Buy Trail Gear 110120-1-KIT at JEGS: Trail Gear Leaf Spring Slip Pad. Guaranteed lowest price!

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