I have the 4in super lift kit installed on my 06 4.0 Ranger, on 33s . It always was a choppy , stiff, rough ride, but its starting to irritate me. I noticed my Factory leaf Springs seem to be straight, with No curve anymore. When I push down on the back of the truck, its Stiff as a board. I only have 2000 miles on superlift kit and shocks. Do the leaf springs need to be replaced? Would replacing them with new leaf springs make the ride slightly better? Is it normal for leaf springs to lose their curve and become straight? I have done a lot of towing with the truck. any suggestions or comments is appreciated. I'm guessing they are bad and need to be replaced. Any suggestions on what to replace them with while keeping the Superlift setup intact?

 

Pickup truck rear suspension is a can of worms, lol.

Empty they can be very stiff, because they need to be setup to handle 1,000+ LBS of weight/cargo
Cars are much easier, they just sag down when overloaded, lol.

I would first remove one end of each shock on the rear and then bounce the truck.
Should bounce pretty easy if so then you have the wrong shocks for what you want
They are to stiff, you want a variable shock that allows springs to absorb bumps and slow rebounding but get stiffer the more they are compressed.

Shocks are not part of the "suspension" they should hold no vehicle weight.
A shock is there to stop springs from continuing to bounce, they are dampers, if used as part of the suspension they can make for a very stiff ride

If it doesn't bounce easy then yes, could be springs are at the end of life, when you replace them you want to use softer springs and an overload spring
Overload spring doesn't come in to contact with truck until you get up to a certain amount of weight on/in the rear.

So you get the softer ride empty but still have cargo capacity when needed.

First thing you need for good ride is the correct tire pressure, lower pressure allows tire to absorb smaller bumps, so if you run 38psi then try 32psi.
This is YOUR choice, not tire makers unless they are along for the ride, lol.

 

I'm wondering, can I replace them with skyjacker softride leaf springs? . if so, can I keep the current superlift block setup? then maybe get a levling kit from superlift for the front to even it out? or should I just get the same stock motorcraft springs that are in there now? Veteren....im still running superlift setup with superlift shocks. those are my only options right now, I cant drop the money on a custom setup,. Honestly I want to double lift it. 6in skyjacker in rear, already have the superlift, body lift and slight tbar crank. but I want the front and rear to be level, and I want to avoid over crankin the tbar. the ride already sucks

 

If you go with the superlift springs, you won't want to jeep the stacked blocks. Have you considered possibly using an Add A Leaf? They will help re arch the springs some and give you a little "tougher" suspension if you do decide to tow anything

 

I wouldn't keep the lift blocks if you go with lift springs. I'd read up on lift springs from companies like skyjacker or deaver. I'm not sure what the payload rating is on them, but they have a higher arch and will allow you to eliminate the blocks, which can't hurt matters.

I'm running explorer leaf springs and the superlift blocks (no factory block) with my superlift. It doesn't ride great, but it's on par with what a stock truck rides like.


As far as shocks, you can try measuring your extended m/collapsed lengths and match those up with a shock of better quality than the superlift ones. I know people have run smooth body fox shocks on the rear and have been happy with them.

 

Dewey, are the Superlift Springs better than the skyjacker ones? I havnt heard much about superlift springs at all. People seem to praise the skyjacker. I just want a good product that will hold up. My current leaf springs are the Original Motorcraft ones with 222,000 miles on them.

 

So, what matches up better with the 4in superlift? The 4in Skyjackers? or the 6in? I plan on getting the skyjacker springs, with an added helper spring from supersprings, since I tow often.

 

Sorry for not replying. I was referring to the skyjacker springs and accidentally typed superlift. Also, I would probably go with the 6" and then see how it settles. If it goes a little low, then add the AAL.

 

After research, I think I am gonna go with Factory replacement heavy duty springs, with 2000 pound Super Spring Helper Springs ......and keep the superlift intact. Deavers and skyjackers are nice, but towing capacity sucks with them, .....and I tow a lot. Can I use helper springs with the skyjacker springs?. Has anyone ever done that?

 

Have you looked into swapping to Chevy 64" leaf springs? They'll give you a little lift (with lift shackles, you might be able to ditch the blocks) and will have a larger payload than anything a ranger came with, as they are meant for a half ton truck.

 

no, I havnt looked into that. I want good towing capacity, but I also want a decent ride. If I'm able to use heavy duty helper springs with the 6in skyjackers, id do that . This way, if I got a little more lift in the rear , I could just simply crank the Tbars a bit more to even everything out. I found this local company that makes heavy duty springs . http://www.stengelbros.com/suspensio...-leaf-springs/ So I'm looking into both options. If I go with 6in skyjackers, there are No blocks used at all, correct? Not even factory ones? I only ask because my factory ones got thrown out when I installed lift kit. So all I have is the superlift blocks.

 

I would take a look at the Chevy springs. It's little more work, but it's a beefier spring as well as a longer spring. The extra length helps with the ride quality.

I don't see why you couldn't add a leaf to the skyjackers. Keep in mind though, cranking the tbars will hurt the ride quality as well. Although, I would think a 6" lift spring would keep you pretty level, without touching the bars.

 

Is there any way to raise up the front of the truck without touching the tbars? I have a feeling the 6in skyjackers will make the truck sit a little higher in the rear . I already have the 4in Superlift.

 

Nope. There aren't a lot of options for the tbar suspension. However, if you don't run a lift block in the rear, I would imagine you'd sit pretty level. 4" lift upfront + lack of rear 2.5" lift blocks = 6.5". Unless I'm missing something (which is very possible. Lol).

 

Forget the AAL. If I use the 6in Skyjackers, can I use these helpers springs to increase towing capacity? 1983-2009 Ford Ranger - Heavy Loading - Super Spring Helper Springs - 3000 lbs. Total Capacity [SSA8] | $359.95 | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts Doing this will enable me to ditch all blocks (superlift and factory) while getting better towing capacity. My only other option is keeping the Superlift blocks, and getting heavy duty factory replacement springs from a local custom spring shop rated at 1750 pounds. That will give me more towing capacity too

 

Actually, the superlift blocks are only 3in.... But they are stacked on top of factory 2in blocks. I just looked and measured, and the superlift website says that also.

 

here you go

43-1033HD Leaf Spring Assembly

 

Those are for E series fords. They will fit a Ranger?

 

email the seller and ask him to check the eye bolt hole diameter

it does not hurt to ask nicely

they are the perfect length for a lifted truck , the rear wheels will properly centered in the wheel well

 

Cheese, if I get the 6in skyjacker leafsprings, can I still use the superlift shocks without a problem? I know I will gain an inch or so lift from the new springs. the 6in leafs are more than the 3 in superlift block, and factory 2in. so, hoping I can still run those superlift shocks

 

you will need to determine the extended and compressed lengths of the shocks

i used the superlift 01-194 ford explorer leaf springs with bushing #340 on my B4000

but you can always have another leaf installed to firm up the pack

the ford econoline leaf springs are your best bet for cargo and trailer hauling

but with these springs , you will need a softer shock , i used the basic monroe matic and they were perfect dampening

 

my other thought is, I could keep the factory 2.5in blocks, and just add a 4in skyjacker leafpack. would probably sit higher than a 6in leafpack alone.

 

ditch the blocks , they are a cheap man`s lift , and not to mention cause the leaf packs to "W"

once that happens , the main leaf cannot be re-arched

you are also forgetting about the rear brake hoses to the axle, they were not made for rear lifts more than 4 inches high .

stick with the 6 inch skyjacker or superlift springs they are your best bet

i have used skyjacker leaf springs on my old jeep cj7 , i was not impressed with them

they sagged very quickly with very little weight on them

the superlift springs are a better design and manufacture

 

Superlift does not make leafsprings for a 2006 ford ranger.

 

TRUE!!!! but the superlift 01-194 leaf springs that are meant for the ford explorer fit like a glove on my former 2010 mazda b4000 ( ranger )

but you have to use their bushing kit # 340 ( no other bushings fit without modification )