what ranger leaves to weave into explorer pack?

[-Nathan-]

So...when i bought my truck, it had a less than desirable lift in the rear... a 3.5" block STACKED on a stock lift block...GROSS i know. As well it had some longer shackles that are a little sketchy. My leaves are worn, and I would like to eliminate one of the blocks.

So...Im looking at a set of explorer leaves, as i dont want to pay 500$ for the skyjacker soft rides. What year explorer leaves should i look for, and what leaves of my ranger should i weave into the pack to maintain my overall 6" lift using one of the current blocks?


Oh, and Im replacing the existing shackles with belltechs.

thanks guys.

[img[http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/ExplorerSpring2.JPG[/img]

 

[Kona]

I am curious as well, as I am going to do the same thing. I have a 1050 lb replacement set of springs with a add a leaf in my 91 Ranger and a trailmaster 2" block. I would like to ditch the block and maintain my height, the Ex springs I had came out of a 92 4dr with a 5280 gvrw. Was thinking of the Ex pack and the add a leaf from the Ranger?

 

[F150hybred]

If you go to "another" forum... what guys are doing is replacing the main leaf with that of a factory one from a Ranger. They then are cutting the eye off the main leaf from the explorer and putting the complete leaf pack (minus the eyes) under the Ranger spring. They "say" it's good for two inches or more... maybe three. With that and the factory block combined with the shackles, it should be at or beyond the lift of what you desire. Heck, for that matter, you might not even need the factory block.
They also say it rides real nice too!

 

[-Nathan-]

If you go to "another" forum... what guys are doing is replacing the main leaf with that of a factory one from a Ranger. They then are cutting the eye off the main leaf from the explorer and putting the complete leaf pack (minus the eyes) under the Ranger spring. They "say" it's good for two inches or more... maybe three. With that and the factory block combined with the shackles, it should be at or beyond the lift of what you desire. Heck, for that matter, you might not even need the factory block.
They also say it rides real nice too!

Hey thanks for the info... So let me get this straight... Use the entire explorer pack with the eyes cut off but with the ranger main on top? I presume ill need a longer center bolt eh? Thanks,

Nathan

 

[dyllanvenezio]

so you are saying not to just add a leaf from the ranger to the explorer?

 

[-Nathan-]

so you are saying not to just add a leaf from the ranger to the explorer?

If im getting this right...you take the entire explorer pack + the ranger main...i.e. cut the eyes off the explorer main.

 

[4x4junkie]

I cut the eyes off a RANGER main leaf, then threaded it in under the Explorer main leaf for my BII springs and they've been holding up great (I actually bent a stock main leaf at the forward eye once because it was a single unsupported leaf right there).

The Explorer main in some cases is thicker than the Ranger main, so I would keep it intact.

 

[-Nathan-]

I cut the eyes off a RANGER main leaf, then threaded it in under the Explorer main leaf for my BII springs and they've been holding up great (I actually bent a stock main leaf at the forward eye once because it was a single unsupported leaf right there).

The Explorer main in some cases is thicker than the Ranger main, so I would keep it intact.

alrighty then, thanks for the info. One other thing, are the leaves under any tension, ie when i undo the center bolt to weave in the ranger leaf, should i have c clamps or something on springs to release pressure? or can i just undo it? thanks again.

Nathan

 

[F150hybred]

I'm sure any variation of the swap will work fine. As for the tension thing, if you clamp a C-clamp on either side of the spring pack beside the spring perch, it will keep it together while you remove the center bolt.

EDIT: more I think about it, the reason for the Ranger leaf on to is to allow the spring to droop more. A thinner spring will allow more droop. It's one of the reasons for using the Ranger main and cutting the Explorer spring other than lift.

 

[4x4junkie]

I thought the Ex leaf has more arch than a Ranger leaf, wouldn't that droop out more?

And no there's not much tension between the leaves, you can manage it by hand (unless there's a typical sold-for-lift add-a-leaf in there, then it's much different)

 

[F150hybred]

I thought the Ex leaf has more arch than a Ranger leaf, wouldn't that droop out more?

It's about the same in arc... but the Ranger leaf is of thinner material.... USUALLY... and will allow for more droop.

 

[-Nathan-]

so lets straighten this out...i currently have the factory block, and a 3.5 block and crappy longer aftermarket shackles. With the explorer leaf pack (with eyes cut off) added to my ranger main leaf, plus belltech shackles, should i keep the stock block or the 3.5 block?

as it sits now, i could use an inch or so extra in the rear. perhaps keep the 3.5 block?? thanks

 

[F150hybred]

I would imagine the stock block... but it's gonna be a trial and error thing due to the other variables IE: longer shackles.

 

[-Nathan-]

Hey guys so I was at the bone yard today and found a couple explorers. Do all the explorers have the same rating for leaf springs or are the different?

Also I found a couple sport tracs, are they any better?

 

[Capt Jay]

The more blocks you can get rid of the better. The higher the blocks the more axle wrap you'll get. I lifted the back of mine with a custom set of drop brackets. Just some solid stock, welder and a drill.