I'm thinking about getting an 04 Ranger and want to put the skyjacker soft ride leafs on it, paired with a 4" super lift I have sitting in the garage, but on skyjackers websight the leafs are only listed to fit 1980-1997. Does anyone know if they would still work on the 04? Also to add more confusion the 04 is an fx4 lvl 2.

Thanks Guys!

 

97-back have a smaller diameter bolt through the front spring isolator. One way to use the earlier springs on 1998+ Ranger: get the 97-back bolts and then weld heavy washers on the forward spring hangers to effectively reduce the hole diameter. (Size the washers to match the 97-back bolts.)

 

I am using 6" SkyJacker Leaf Spring in the rear of my 2003. Part Number evades me !

I started with a SuperLift Kit, didn't like the doubled up blocks, so I replaced the rear Springs and Blocks for the SkyJacker Springs ! Worked out really good except I screwed up in the rear shocks. I also replaced my rear axle with a Level II 8.8 Unit, 31 spline with OX Locker, that some how changed the shock lengths needed but that is all set now.

 

is anybody using the 6in skyjacker leafs with shackles? no blocks

 

Measure the Length and width of your springs.

Contact SkyJacker and ask them what they have that will fit with a Stock Ranger Spring Rate.

I don't remember the exact part number for the springs I used but they are SkyJackers and they are 6"... !

 

I also have the superlift, however I'm still running blocks with a heavy duty leaf spring. Basically a stock spring with an extra leaf, and the rear is more like a 5 in or more lift. I'm planning on getting the skyjackers, but wondering how the stance is, and can I use the belltech shackles with the skyjacker to gain that inch or two rake in the rear? What would be better? using skyjacker with stock block, or shackles?

 

I looked at the package long before install and decided I didn't want the doubled-up blocks ! I used a SkyJacker Lift on my '88 Ranger so I called and got some info from them... I didn't buy direct because they were cheaper from... (I think) "autoanything.com", I also got my '06 Muth Mirror Mods there too !

Just looked through some of my older web searches and nothing turned up but I will search this site, maybe I posted a number.

Blocks vs Shackles, to me, OEM 2" blocks or similar, with the proper U-Bolts, maybe oversized in OD, and tightened properly and rechecked, every week just to be on the safe side... then the Blocks will work OK.

Shackles, to be if too long, are just an accident looking for a place to happen. IF, sized properly and made Heavy Duty, then they can work.

Both method are just about the same amount of work, just a little different but if the Spring bolts do not come out easily then the Shackles could take longer.

Don't forget to resize your shocks, extra length will be needed to accommodate the extra 2" !

If I can find a number I will post, maybe do a search on my posts, not too sure if I posted number !

Ltr

 

Rwenzing.........Why not just remove bushings from new leafs and replace with energy suspension or moog Bushings that fit 2000+ Rangers properly?

 

Unfortunately, the front loop of the main leaf is smaller for 97-back Ranger so the 98+ front bushing does not fit.

 

Yea, that's why I'm just gonna keep my factory heavy duty springs with the blocks. Its better than tryin to rig up some half *** solution that may, or may not work in the long term. ITS hard to believe that so many people with 2000+ Rangers use the skyjacker leafs, but havnt come up with a legit solution. So for this to work, you need a 1.5 inner diameter eyelet, with a 5/8 bolt. 2000 and up. no aftermarket bushings have these dimensions?

 

Thanks guys for the replies, but I went to meet the guy with the 04 and the clutch was about to kick the bucket and he wanted too much for the truck. Im now looking at newer f150's with the 3.7L or 3.5L engines. Mpg's are better than the rangers.

The reason I was wondering about the leafs is I have a 99 Ranger that was wrecked a couple weeks back it has a Supelift with coil-over conversion 3in body lift with 35's, and I was thinking about transferring all the parts to a newer ranger. But the rear was so stiff and that's when I saw the skyjacker soft ride leafs. Anyway LMK if anyone is interested in the parts, I posted over on the classifieds if interested.

 

Skyjacker numbers:

FR34S Softride Leaf Spring (estimated 4" lift according to mfgr.)
FR36S Softride Leaf Spring (estimated 6" lift according to mfgr.)

Intended for 86~97 Ranger but have also been used on 98+ with minor mods.
About $400~500 for a pair.

 

That's what I run on my ranger. I needed a little more after the 6" springs settled so I had to put my lift shackles back on. In the middle setting.

Oh and I didn't have to modify anything on my 03 with the skyjackers.

 

I too used the FR36S Leafs in my 2003 without mods... not sure what they mean by minor mods !

I am now thinking using the OEM Blocks for some additional lift, it's been almost five years since install.

 

Interesting.

I have a set of 97-back Superlift springs that use the smaller diameter forward bolts as used on 97-back Ranger factory springs (compared to 98 and later). Not sure what size bolt hole is in the 97-back Skyjacker leaf packs but I would think there's some reason why Ford, Superlift and Skyjacker ALL seem to be saying that the 97-back spring packs do not fit 98+ Rangers.

Did you guys with the Skyjackers on 98+ Rangers switch to the smaller 97-back bolts or were you able to just bolt them on using the larger 98+ bolts??

 

I didn't use any different bolts, never looked.

Approximately 2 years ago, I needed my rear spring hangers replaced, RUST, brakes, and I had the front driveshaft pulled and greased up, and I have had a slight clacking noise when I run over bumps, since.
I blamed the Shop that did the work, I claimed it was never there before, and they checked out the noise three times before I gave up.
I had suggested new bolts and a comparison of OEM Bolts to what was actually used by the shop but they wouldn't do it, JUST MAYBE... the smaller bolts you described could have caused the clacking I have been hearing.

Wow, another thing to add to the to-do list... check the rear spring bolt size vs bolt Holes in springs.

I think I may need to say Thank You but I was so sure.

I will post when I find out, but don't hold your breath.

p.s. The Clacking Noise the I have been hearing has driven me crazy but my remodeling of the new house in SoCal took presidents... just maybe !

 

Same bolts. Unbolted the stock springs and bolted in the new springs. No issues.

 

for 1998 and up Rangers..............wouldn't it be possible to just switch out the leaf spring hangers to a 1997 so that they fit properly?

 

Sounds like plan, I am not sure but I cant believe Ford would change the mounting points from one year to the next, doesn't sound very cost effective.
Check it out and post what you find.


Also, in reading this thread, I think I have discovered the answer to a clicking.clacking noise I have had for a while. If the older spring mounting hardware was larger in diameter and the newer bolts were used, then there is some room in the spring end mounting that could cause a slight clacking.

Wow, if this is what is has been, then I thank you guys for the info and slap myself on the back of the head for making the mistake in the first place.

My rear springs were installed by a friend that had time and needed some cash. He did the job fast, I was impressed... I didn't ask him if there were any problems but now I know the rest of the stories...two problems arose.
1) Spring Mounting Hardware, too small causing a clacking noise that has driven me bonkers for a while now.
2) Rear Shocks on a 8.8 small diameter are the same length but the shocks on the FX4, 31 spline large tube housing are different lengths AND will cause you problems if using the wrong shocks as I did !

Merry Christmas !

 

I checked into this deeper and came up with some corrected information. As it turns out, the forward spring hanger bolts are actually:

• 14mm for 1998 ~ 2003 Ranger
• 16mm for 2004 ~ 2011 Ranger

So, that explains why the 98~03 guys were able to bolt up the 97-back aftermarket springs.

2004~11 Rangers have the larger 16mm holes in the forward hanger and that would be need to be addressed before attempting to use the 14mm bolts that fit the 97-back spring packs.

Why do Superlift and Skyjacker list their springs for 97-back only when they also seem to bolt up to 98~2003? I couldn't say.




Photo shows the bolt change. Top bolt is 16mm 2004; bottom bolt is 14mm 2003.