Did this come from the factory?

[4x4Zach]

I'm the 2nd owner of a stock '97 sport and I'm not sure if these spacers are added by the factory or the dealer. Being under the axel, wouldn't they lower the rear and not raise it?

I'm about to do a 3" BL, 2" TT and shackles and want to know if I should remove these when I install the shackles. I want the X to be level and not sagging or up high in the rear. What should I do?





The current stance:

[IZwack]

Those spacers or whatever dont actually do anything except pull the shock out more. If they were placed between the axle and the leaf spring, then they would have lowered the vehicle. But having them under the spring is useless so whoever put those on probably did not know exactly where to put them. The only reason that I can come up with is maybe cauz the owner didnt use the right U-bolts and the nuts bottomed out (?).

If you're going to lift the back, you have to remove those spacers or else the shock might reach its limit before the suspension.

[Willard]

I thought those came on there to simulate a full leaf pack, so Ford could use the same U-bolts on all of them. Maybe not?

[Stic-o]

^ Correct...Only sports came like this. My wifes old '99 Sport was like this Rode fine, but never really liked the idea of the mono leaf

[yogi_pahl]

If you took them out would it raise or lower or do nothing?

[Turdle]

Originally Posted by yogi_pahl

If you took them out would it raise or lower or do nothing?

You couldn't, because the threads on the u bolts are not deep enough.
You could get aftermarket bolts, but then the truck would still be at the level at which you started.

A 2 door sport monoleaf can be retrofitted with 4 door leaf packs, which bolt right in and provide a slight lift.

After you ditch the spacer pack.

[Blee1099]

If you remove them, you will change the pinion angle of the 8.8. if you plan on doing a shackles, I would get a set of 4 door leaf packs. shackles & mono leafs don't go so well.

[yogi_pahl]

Thats what i was thinking it would still be the same hight.

[IZwack]

Wow did not know Sports came like that -- way to go Ford! Score one for the Voltron team!

[james t]

There were two reasons why they did this-

1- as already mentioned, it was a way to use the same ubolts

2- they can also use the same shock. If it didnt have the spacers, they would have needed to use a shorter shock on the sports.


And yes, monoleafs suck in general.

[Charlie]

Yes, they are stock. As Jt said, the U-bolt threads wouldn't be long enough remove them. One will never know why it took Ford so long to ditch the monoleaf on the sports. If you removed them and put in different U-bolts, it shouldn't do much of anything, if anything at all, since it is below the leaf.

I've never seen those wheels before, though.. Are they aftermarket rims?

[4x4Zach]

Thanks guys. So to lift the rear to compensate for the sag and TT I need to ditch the mono-leaf and spacers and throw on some 4 door leaf packs and War153s? I've searched, but does anyone know where I can get the leaf pack new?

Charlie, the wheels are really dirty Eagle Alloys. They were there when I bought it and I need to polish them lol...

[Charlie]

You don't need to get rid of the monoleaf & spacers, but if you do it will give a little more lift and a better ride (from what I have read)

[4x4Zach]

Originally Posted by Charlie

You don't need to get rid of the monoleaf & spacers, but if you do it will give a little more lift and a better ride (from what I have read)

Thanks, but I'd rather spend the money now and have a nicer ride.

[5.0]

Originally Posted by 4x4Zach

I've searched, but does anyone know where I can get the leaf pack new?

LMC Truck has new springs listed in their catalog for $99.95 each. You may want to call them and be sure they come with bushings, because to buy only the bushings is $75.00 each side.

It's also possible that you may find some in the junk yard. Maybe have them mark the springs driver/passenger when they pull them, and then install them on the other sides in your X. Example - put the spring marked "driver" on the passenger side. This is just a small detail, but something I would do since they are off anyway because a lot of times the driver spring will sag a little more than the passenger side, and by switching sides it will make it sit level. Another quick tip when replacing the springs - do only one at a time so the other one holds the axle close to where it need to be.

I normally don't like the looks of black Explorers or the looks of Sports, but your's looks really nice




.

[Gator Jeff]

Originally Posted by 4x4Zach

... but does anyone know where I can get the leaf pack new?

I had a saggy Sport and replaced my mono with leaf packs. I got mine from the dealership. A set of "F" springs (that's the stiffer pack) will run you about $530 with bushings and everything. You can definitely save $$$$ by getting them used from a junk yard, but I didn't for three reasons.

1. I plan on keeping my truck for a long time.
2. It took me three hours to get my old leafs out with hand tools. I didn't want to have to do that twice.
3. New bushings which are the first thing to go on the leaf packs.

They make a huge difference though. My truck is a little stiffer over the larger defects in our lovely MD roads, but it's not jarring at all. Obviously your choice of shocks will make a huge difference as well.

Depending on how bad the corrosion is under your truck, you may also want to get replacement bolts for lower shock mounts and bolts and bushings (frame side) for your shackles if they don't come with new stuff. New lower shock bolts, shackle bolts and frame bushings will run you around $60.