which leaf springs should I get?

[JoshT]

Not posting this in the suspension section, because this is general leaf spring question rather than lifted or lowered and I want it answered as such.

So I've got a 99 Ranger 4x4 that came factory with tow package and "K" code leaf springs. Currently have 32" tires, Explorer "F" code leafs, and "chevy shackles" in place of the factory lift block. Time for new tires and I'm un-lifting the truck and dropping back down close to stock tire size (255/70R16). You might even say I'm lowering it slightly since I'll be going back to Ranger leafs and leaving the factory lift block off, whether or not I'll keep the shackles will depend on tire clearance with new tires.

Going forward the truck will mostly be used as a backup/alternate DD to the car and when I need to do truck stuff. Will occasionally be loaded up for camping, hauling ATV or motorcycle (either in bed or on trailer), or towing another car/Ranger on my 14' flat bed trailer. If I get a small 16-18 foot camper it'll be used to pull that as well, but I'll probably end up with a bigger truck and camper instead. FWIW both my ATV and motorcycle are in the 550-600 lb range.

Anyhow, I will be buying new leafs as most trucks in the local junkyards are nearly as old and worn as my truck and packs from the few later model Rangers are pretty close in price to a new pack. I've got two choices in leaf packs:

4 (3/1) leaf pack with 1250 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781

5 (4/1) leaf pack with 1750 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781HD

Not sure which way to go.

The 5 leaf pack would be a given, but I'm concerned about stiffness. At least with an extra 500 lb capacity per spring I'd think it would be stiffer. On one hand the extra stiffness might be nice for handling, and I freely admit to driving a little more spirited than I should, as well as having the extra load capacity. On the other hand the added stiffness might be rough for a semi-DD.

The 4 spring pack I believe is equivalent to a stock spring, and should have enough capacity for 80% of the time. It'll probably be a nicer ride for a semi-DD than the larger pack. I suppose that I could add helper springs (not AALs) later if needed, but really hate to spend the extra money when I could have gotten the stronger leafs.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[adsm08]

I would say to go with the stronger springs. My thoughts here are that there are other things that can be done to mitigate a rough ride here.

1) You are already getting new tires, you can choose some smooth riding tires.

2) You will probably need shocks with all this, some good shocks should also help smooth out your ride a bit.

3) Even on a full blown DD it is still a truck. Its never going to ride like a car, and ride should be a secondary consideration.

 

[JoshT]

Thanks for the reply adsm

1) Tires were already bought. While they do ride better, but that wasn't even considered. While I am "lowering" the truck it will still be used for camping and some getting around the hunting club, so an All-terrain tread was desired and I like the tires I bought in that respect.

2) Front shocks are Bilstein, 4600 series IIRC. Will probably put the same thing in the rear. The 2008-2011 4wd Rangers sat lower than my 98 did from the factory, but same shock part numbers are listed for both so I should be fine there.

3) Ride is a secondary consideration, but also desired. I don't want to get whiplash every time I cross a rail road track, hit a pothole, or drive too fast down a washboard road. I know shock will have a major impact on that as well.

I think I'm actually going to go with the weaker springs though. Most of the time that I'm using the truck I'll be well within the capacity of those springs. While it is the more expensive option, I think I might be better off adding in a helper spring if the truck is sagging more than desired when loaded. I'll also have a few old leaf packs around, so I could do my own add-a-leaf if I really needed to.

I'll also be working on getting into a full size truck in the next couple of years. Already have the truck, it's a 68 F-100 4wd that my dad used to drive and was parked about a decade ago. Body (mostly bed) is shot through with rust so after fixing the stuff wrong on the Ranger I'll be looking for a body donor. Also needs some other work like brake system improvements and possibly a bolt on EFI if I can swing it. So hopefully I won't even be at a point of needing helper springs on the Ranger before that truck is ready to go.

 

[4x4junkie]

Somewhere I have seen add-a-leaf leaf kits that mount on top of the u-bolt plate (or replace the u-bolt plate) on the spring and have snubbers on the frame that make contact with the free ends of the leaves when the truck is loaded. I don't know if they're available specifically for any RBVs, but since the 2.5" wide leafs are a very common size I would think something could be adapted to fit relatively easily. This shouldn't affect the ride without a load, but once a load is put in the back, the added leaf (or leaves) will then make contact with the snubbers and help carry the load.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ My 77 f250 has factory overload springs like 4x4junkie describes.

 

[JoshT]

So much for not wanting to post in off-road. Not an off-road or lifted question. Whatever, reached my answer before it was moved.

I'm familiar with those, they are what I was referring to as helper springs in my last post. I'll get going on this sometime in the next month or so, I'll post up then what I ended up with.

 

[nicolai]

... I'll get going on this sometime in the next month or so, I'll post up then what I ended up with.

Just wondering which springs you ended up going with. I'm in the same boat, trying to decide between the 1,250 lb and 1,750 lb springs. I typically have a similar load to your bike or atv, so I'd be interested to hear your impressions on whichever set you chose.

 

[Adderall]

Also, what brand?