Introduction
This article shows you how to make a coil spring spacer from steel washers.
Making The Spacer
Many Ford Ranger Enthusiasts have made coil spring spacers out of steel washers you can find at some hardware stores. Don’t get a quality hardware store confused with home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot.
What you want to get are washers with a 1-3/8 inch or 1-1/2 inch inside diameter (ID) with at least a 3-inches outside diameter (OD).
Important Note: Make sure you know what the washers ID is. Some washers are sold based on bolt size, so a 1-3/8 inch washer may have an ID of 1-1/2 inch, and a 1-1/2 inch washer may have an ID of 1-5/8 inch.
Fastenal 1-3/8 Inch Flat Washer
(This Fastenal 1-3/8″ Washer has a 1-1/2″ inner diameter and a 3-1/4″ outside diameter)
You won’t be able to stack more than 1-1/2 inches of washers. Anything over 1-1/2 inches will be too tall to install the coil spring retaining nut, and have enough threads for the nut.
(Photo by forum member legoms013 of 1-1/2″ high washer spacer)
(Washers were clamped together and then welded. Photo by forum member MountainMike)
(Edges were welded to keep them from sliding back and forth against each other. Photo by forum member MountainMike)
(New coil spring spacer under the spring seat and isolator. Photo by forum member MountainMike)
(Photo by forum member MountainMike)
From Jim Oaks:
I began running washers under my front coils back around 2003-2004. I went to my local True Value hardware and found some metal washers with a 1-3/8 inch ID and 3-inch OD that matched the diameter of my spring seats. The spacer (red) is shown stacked, welded and painted. A single washer is shown next to it for reference. The washer was welded to prevent them sliding against each other, but really isn’t necessary. These washers were used to lift the front 5/8-inch to help level it.
Coil Spring Isolator:
The coil spring sits on a nylon coil spring isolator. This isolator keeps suspension Noise, Vibration, and Harmonics (NVH) from being transmitted to the rest of the chassis. Over time, the isolator deteriorates due to wear and exposure to the elements.
Moog offers a replacement P/N K160065
Forum Discussion:
Here is a discussion in our forum about Coil Spacers.
Also check out our Suspension Forum.
Related Articles
1983-1997 Ford Ranger Coil Spring Guide
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.