What matches the Explorer Leaf Swap?

[bduke23]

Once again I am dreaming about all the things I wanna do to my truck, and the topic of the day is the explorer leaf spring swap in the rear. I have an 86 reg cab 2wd, 2.3. How much lift would I expect? Also had the idea from reading on here about putting some of the ranger leafs in the leaf pack with the explorer leafs to get a little lift, and can do what more I want with lift shackels. What would be a good match for the front of the truck? Read about the F150 coil swap, but I have a feeling with my lighter truck it'll make realigning the front end impossible. Can you just swap in the explorer front coil springs? And would that even make a difference in terms of height? I'd like to get about 2" front and back, and would prefer not to use washers under the front coils. What's everyone think?

 

[Downey]

get leveling coils for the front they are pretty cheap. that will get you your 2 inches in the front and a set of explorer leafs will get you 2-3 in the rear

 

[Ranger44]

I don't think explorer leafs will gain that much lift by themselves. They might with the addition of other leafs. But stock explorer will only net about 1.5".

Just pickup on a set of leveling coils or put washer coil spacers under the stock springs. F-150 coils will ride like shit.

 

[spdcrazy]

ya the explorer leaf's won't gain ya much, and will ride quite a bit more stiff. but by throwing some leafs off of a ranger in it, and getting rid of any overload's you can prob make it work for ya

 

[bduke23]

Yes I am okay with it being a little more stiff. Having the ability to haul a little more with extra leafs is appealing too. As it is with my homemade wooden truck box the tail is noticeable a bit lower.
Back to my original question, will explorer front coil springs lift the front to match 2" in the rear? I would like to avoid coil spacers if I can. If explorer coils won't do anything, any ideas on what other coil springs would lift it 2" that aren't F150 coils?

 

[TheOne]

get explorer coils...
did on my b2 gain a crap ton of lift (springs were saggy to begin with)
rode awesome contrary to what other people have said. flexed really good.

 

[bcost882]

i have sploder leafs and yes it rides a bit stiffer but eh, its fine. don't take all the explorer leafs and add in a ranger leaf cause that will make it like riding on a brick. but leafs will give you about 1.5 to 2in depending on how saggy your current leafs are. shackles will give you about 1 then the front should be good with explorer coils and about a 1in spacer

 

[bduke23]

Perfect, exactly what I wanted to know. Yea a stiff ride is fine, its a truck. If I want something soft, I'll borrow moms towncar.