are all of the years of the rangers rear leaf springs the same

( ie: spring eye and shackle eye diameters ) and spring width

mine are 2.5 inches wide and so are the explorer leaves i got today

picked up 2 explorer leaves ,, but the rubber bushings are toast )

looking to punch out the damaged bushings and install polyurethane bushings before i install the explorer leaves

 

Yes they are I have the poly kit from Summit in my truck the black set and it states only up to 1997 but my truck is a 2000. all rangers leaves will interchange

 

you wouldn`t happen to know the manufacturer would you

i also need the part# please

cannot find them on summit`s website

 

red

Energy Suspension 4-2134R - Energy Suspension Leaf Spring Bushing Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com


black


Energy Suspension 4-2134G - Energy Suspension Leaf Spring Bushing Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

okay thanks for the info

now i can order them
and get my exploder leaves in

 

just a heads up to anyone looking to order the 4.2134R.G polyurethane bushings

for the 1997 ford ranger leaf spring bushings

the main spring eye bushings are too small ( 1.5 inch diameter )

the main spring eye inner diameter is actually ( 1,15/16 `s inch diameter )

you will need to order this package # 9.9485 ( 2.00 outer diameter )
( these are the correct diameter bushings for the main leaf eye ) frame mount

and use FLUID FILM spray before you install the bushings , this product sinks into the metal and keeps them constantly lubricated

 

To add to this, the 2006 ranger leafs main spring eyes have a 1-3/4" ID. The ES bushing kits will not work for this year. In fact I can't find ANY aftermarket bushing source, dealership only. I'm also looking into some universal bushing sizes that I might be able to get to fit.

 

9.9485 is a universal bushing size
i had to champher the inner edge to be able to pound it in to the spring eye
( pound it into submission ) ha ha ha LOL

the factory bolt will not fit into the sleeve , so i just reamed out the frame mount holes

i used 15/16 grade 10 bolts for the main spring eyes

 

Thats what I was wondering, because it looks like 9.9488 would be a better fit....? You'd have to use a 5/8" bolt instead of 9/16".....

Still no luck on finding a universal set that will fit the rear leaf eyes though.

 

the kit 4.2134 shackle bushings will fit your year of ranger

i just had to order the other kit because the explorer main eye bushings are larger diameter than the rangers.

just open the box to make sure that there are 4 leaf eye and shackle eye bushings

my kit had 3 shackle and 5 spring eye bushing

 

Ya they'd fit, but would require 5/8" bolts instead of 9/16". I'd like to stick with the stock 9/16" bolt size.

Anyway, I bit the bullet and ordered in replacement bushings from Ford. Cost me $45.

So for the record, on these leafs from a 2006 ranger they measure 2.5" wide and the rear leaf eyes have a 1.25" ID and the main leaf eyes have a 1.75" diameter. The metal sleeve length is 3" and have an ID of 9/16".

 

Here's a summary of my findings:

I have a 94 4x4 ranger and just completed swapping in leaf springs from a 2006. All ranger leaf springs are NOT created equal. I think they are all the same length and you can get them to bolt in, but its not always an absolute direct swap.

Leaf spring eyes
It seems somewhere between probably 97 and at least 2006 the main leaf eyes got bigger. My 94 seems to have a 1.5" ID and the 06 has a 1.75" ID. The rear leaf eyes are the same.

Bushings
I started this assuming all leafs were the same, so I ordered the Energy Suspension bushing kit for the 97 ranger. I was wrong. As mentioned above, the main leaf spring eye is a different size on the newer trucks, so these will not work. Also The ES bushing kit I ordered came with bolt sleeves for the rear eyes that were too big, and seem to take a 5/8" bolt, which won't work with my stock 9/16" bolts and my shackles which have 9/16" bolt holes, so thats strike 2 for the ES bushing kit. Additionally, I cannot find ANYONE that makes aftermarket bushings, even OEM replacements, for the 2006 ranger. If you need new bushings for these newer springs, as of this posting, you have to get them from Ford.

Bolt sizes
My 94 ranger takes 9/16" bolts in both spring eye locations. The newer 2006 ranger leafs take something like a 5/8" bolt in the main leaf eye and a 9/16" in the rear leaf eye. I'm not positive of the main leaf eye bolt size for the 2006 leafs because instead of reaming out the bolt holes in my hangers I decided to use my 9/16" bolt with some "starter bushings" as sleeves which worked beautifully. These "sleeves", for reference, are carquest part number 20-3500.

Hopefully this helps someone else out.

 

Fluid Film great product, been using it for years best all around lube, metal conditioner, rubber polish etc I have ever found use it on turbo center housing to keep them from rusting doest cook out of the metal from the heat and will keep your turbo looking brand new for years good to see a fellow Ranger owner knows about it too.

 

^^^^^^THIS SHOULD BE STICKY. this is life saver info.

Went through this ordeal on my 08. ordered the 42154 kit, front bushing fail. Rear fit but stock rear bolt was too small for sleeve supplied, the info above is 100% correct 9/16" bolt is correct size for the rear and i found 5" was the length needed with 4.5" too short.

Correct main eye bushing is energy suspension part # 2184 it has an o.d. of 1.7506"

wrong bushing from kit left, new correct size bushing right.








Rear stock bolt is to small for sleeves provided which are all the size of the front main eye bolt.



9/16" bolt





I used a djm shackle which came with an appropriate size sleeve for the stock shackle bolt, but if the energy suspension kit were to be used the shackle bolts woulds need to be upgraded.