I'm having a difficult time trying to make sense of what the hell is going on with my 2001 4x2 Ranger that I picked up in 2017.. First let me start by saying about a month or so ago the bed started leaning to the passenger side. I figured it was the spring but it was too damn cold out and I was snowbound so I didn't get around to checking it out until yesterday. I'm certain the spring is wiped so I took a look to see if I needed anything else beside the spring. What I saw made no sense at all. The spring is mounted directly to the bed!!! No shackle!!! I check the other side and there is a frame mount and shackle there.. Looks new and installed the way I would expect. But the passenger side is driving me nuts. I have never seen a leaf spring mounted to the bed of a truck. Can anyone shed some light on this? Can't be right. I bought the truck from an older guy that bought it new. He gave me every receipt he had and I know he didn't screw with it. I would appreciate any help with this... Here are the pictures ... Frame is going to get a good cleaning this as soon as it warms up.

Passenger side rear leaf spring mount

Passenger side rear leaf spring mount

Driver side rear leaf spring mount

Driver side rear leaf spring mount

 

It's not mounted to the bed, what's left of the shackle hanger on the frame finally let go (broke) and the weight of the truck is basically sitting the bed on the leaf spring. This means your rear axle is only attached at 3 out of 4 structural points (shocks don't count as structural) and your truck is now officially unsafe to drive. Somebody has already replaced one side, and you will have to do the same on the broken side. Just make sure there's still enough frame where that broken shackle hanger is because if it's really thin in that area, your new shackle hanger will rip right off.

 

+1 ^^^

And it WILL push up and bend then break the bed metal
Ask me how I know, lol

Very hard to remove the bolt and bushing/rubber in the leaf spring, if you decide to use a torch, and bed is on, run water in the bed or you WILL blister the paint in the bed

 

He is correct, (he that replied before me) I've had to replace both rear spring hangers on my 2001. Treat frame and components for rust while this is going on to give your truck some longevity. Don't just paint and cover it, remove rust and treat it

 

Good stuff.... This NOW makes sense... I appreciate the input .. Thanks