I've seen good/bad posts on swapping over to explorer leaf springs. Who is running them, how much lift did cha get, and have they sagged at all? I'm also considering picking up just the top leaf off something similar and adding it to my spring pack. i'd go that over a add-a-leaf because it wouldn't really hurt my ride.

What's everyone runnin, besides blocks and AAL. Other option is to pickup shackles, but i rather go with a lift via springs..

Thanks-

 

im running a sport trac leaf spring in the rear with the chevy shackle and i love it. I took out the lift block and retained the same height in the rear that i had when i had an AAL with the stock ranger springs. If you kept the lift block, im guessin you would have around a 3-4" lift with the ST springs. I have a thread in here somewhere with some pics. Search.... and you shall find.

 

I have seen your thread on the sport track leaves. Those seem to be the way to go. However, I'm fairly certain there are none of those in the local junkyards. which sucks, i'd love to lose my factory 2" blocks!

 

I haven't seen it mentioned in a while, but there are a few people out there running chevy 1500 leaf springs. They are roughly 6" longer than the ranger springs, but same width (hence using their shackles). You will have to re-locate the forward spring hangar by drilling out the rivets. You can re-use the front hole in the frame, and match it to the rear hole on the spring hangar, then drill new holes in the frame for the other bolts using grade 8 hardware. The chevy leafs should flex a little better since they are longer, but also provide 3-5" of lift if I remember right. You could also use the chevy lowering shackles for more height if needed.

You should get some lift from explorer springs too, I would imagine. Maybe slightly less since they have been holding more weight and may sag some. I would look for the ones with the biggest spring pack. Again you could also use the longer chevy lowering shackles.

 

I recently did the Explorer leaf swap from the JY for about $35. I think they are perfect, just a tiny bit stiffer, and brought my rear up about an inch or 2. It's hard to tell how much lift I got because my Ranger leafs were worn out and the Explorer leafs were of course not brand new.
I would recommend them any time. I just helped a buddy of mine pick up a set for his Ranger.

 

Are the blocks on a explorer the same as a ranger.

 

No blocks on the explorer. The spring goes under the axle.

 

I replaced my old worn out leafs with Explorer leafs, gained maybe 1 1/2". Cheap way to get the rear end up.

 

what year exploder are you guys using the leafs out of? i work a wrecking yard so i could get them for free :)

 

most of the late 90's and early 2000's should work. I would try to find the newest one with the least amount of miles on it.

 

sounds good thanks :)