hey guys I was just thinking about something and getting some opinions. Im finally thinking about putting in my lift shackles in the back but was curious do you think taking out the stock block and putting some explorer leafs in would make for a better ride?

I realize its a truck and its not going to ride perfect but the explorer leafs will give about the same amount of rear lift as the stock block/leaf/shackle combo and figured that just a leaf with no block at all would ride better in the rear. Maybe not alot but atleast alil. Let me know what you all think, and try to stick to legit serious answers only.

Hopefully those of youal that are superlifted, or sas'd, etc will chime in beens you all would have more knowledge of it all. thanks, Zach.

 

bump?

 

Explorer leaf springs are definitely better than using stock leaf springs, lift blocks, and lift shackles. Explorer leaf springs will net 2” of lift. Belltech 6400 shackles net 1.5” or 2” of lift depending on what hole you use (they are adjustable). I don’t know if Explorer leaf springs will give a better ride, but I’m sure it won’t be worse.

63” Chevy leaf springs will lift a Ranger 2.5” to 3”. However, you have to move the front hangers about 6” forward.

 

SO what would be the best way to get the same amount of lift as the stock block/leaf/shackle with taking out the stock block. Would explorer leafs be able to give the same amount of lift with just itself n no block as the stock setup with belltech shackle?

 

i would swap in the expo leafs for the stock ones and definantly ditch the stock block.. then check how your ride height is. If you want for lift/rake, ad the shackle, if your satisfied, then leave it... simple as that.

theres no real definantly answer to what setup is going to be the best or give an exact height because most likely the leafs you will swap in will be used and can be sagged more then others.. like i said earlier, start with the expos then decide if you need/want the shackle.

 

they ride like an AAL

 

so do you think that explorer leafs with stock block removed would ride worse or no better than stock block n leaf setup with shackle?

 

avoid the shackle if you can unless you pull the block. explorer leafs will ride better than an aal so idk what hes talking about. Remove the block if you want less axle wrap

 

I know this is super old but I guess because its my thread I can bump it lol.

But back to the question I have the belltch shackles ready to install acourse ive had them for like a year now and still havent put them on lol. But im thinking about removing the stock block and installing the explorer leafs for 2 inch lift vs keeping the stock block and adding the shackles and ill just end up selling the shackles.

Now more technical should I try to find the 2 door explorer leafs or 4 doors explorer leafs and whats the difference? Is the 4 door leafs always the 4 pack leaf style thats everyone wants for this mod?

Also I read up that there is 4 codes for the rear leafs, F, H, J, and L. Whats the difference between them besides stiffer spring rates and what are the actual spring rates as well?

Basically im just looking for the best riding way to lift the rear 2 inches, either the stock setup plus belltech shackles, or remove stock block and explorer leafs? I assume itll be the explorer leaf route, and if so what would be the best combo of those to try and get beens there is alot of different codes for them? Hope that makes sense, thanks.

 

from what i've heard, the tracs have the best ones but i've personally never done the swap. maybe on the next truck

 

Thanks for the reply, I wonder what is specific about them that causes that to be true. I need someone to come in here with all the specifics but I dont know who to ask.

 

me either. ive looked for a REALLY long time and didn't find much. i was also told that the 4 doors have better springs than the 2 doors (from a no longer active ranger guru) so i was going to go with either a sport trac pack or an XLT/limited 4 door pack. I lurked explorer forums for a day too. might wanna try checking over there real quick

 

I think thats because the 4 doors come with the 4 pack leafs which is what everyone is wanting but like I said I think there is 4 different codes for the rear leafs but idk if that means all 4 of those are the 4 pack leafs or maybe only 1 or 2 of them are and if they all have different ratings.