Add-a-leaf and Torsion Bar Twist

[Ru Dawg]

Ok, I'm ineterested in doing a Torsion Bar Twist, but do I do the twist first or add-a-leaf first? And also, where can I get a decent add-a-leaf kit without spending too much money...I have no idea how much they cost? And another thing, I plan on getting 4 new shocks soon (monroe reflex),should I do this all at once or does in not matter?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Ru Dawg,
Do the add-a-leafs first, but before you do anything make sure you measure. Read the writeup on the Explorer tips. About the Monroe Reflex shocks, I think it was ExplorerGM(Rick) that said that they were actually shorter than the stock shocks. You might want to do a search for his post about that. I know that the OME Nitro Chargers and the Edelbrocks can handle the 2" lift no problem. They were made for that. Hope this helps

 

[Ru Dawg]

Thanks Ray

Yes Ray that does help, I thought the leafs should be added first and I have read the tips on doing this...sounds fairly simple...anybody have a good way of describing exactly which bolts to tighten for the twist or have any pics? I think I have found the torsion bar...I'm not very experienced in suspension work at all...if it's not connected to the engine I have no clue!

Again, anybody know were to get add-a-leaf kits?

 

[2001ExpSport]

Ru Dawg,

You can get the leafs at Summit for cheap. This is the kit I bought and installed. Gave me 1.5 no problem. Bit of work to install, but fairly simple to do. Jacking the vehicle high enough is the hardest part. Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Made by Explorer Comp, part number EXP-13120, they are $26.99.

The torsion bar twist bolts are in the middle of the driver/pass doors if looking from the side. Follow the bar if you need too. At the end there is a bracket with a bolt in the center with about an inch of thread on it. Tighten that to twist the bar. Look on your driver door panel and it will give you the letter codes for hardness. They will be, B, D or L. L being the softest. The harder the bar, the higher it will lift the front. It's the first two letters right side of the sticker. I think it is FT and R columns.

I just did this lift and it took me 3 hrs. Email me if you have any questions.

[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 08-16-2000 at 08:38 PM]

 

[ExplorGM]

Shocks

The Rancho Reflex shocks are shorter than stock. They are also flimsier looking and after three months of washboard runs, they have lost quite a bit of their new dampening abilities. I don't know about the Monroes. I do know that you get what you pay for! Go with the OMEs. If their good enough for Ray, they're probably great!
Rick

 

[swak6287]

how about rancho 5000 or 9000. would that work for the lifts?

 

[Maniak]

A stock length rs9000 will work for a Stock explorer to a 2.5" suspension lifted one (Rancho uses the same shock for stock and their 2.5" lift on the First Generation explorer)...

 

[2001ExpSport]

If you read the info on the shocks, it will tell you what lift it will handle. Maniak is right about the Ranchos.

 

[jf26]

2001ExpSport....

How is your ride after the Torsion/Add-a-leaf? Do you still have stock shocks?

Does any one Know if rearching your stock leafs is nessesary before you add?

I had rancho 9000's added to the back but not the front, should I have those replaced too, to even out the ride?

jeff

 

[2001ExpSport]

Jeff,

The ride is much more truck like. On the other hand my stock shocks wnet out the window. Too much work for them. It is a bit bouncier only because my shock are being over worked. The 9000's are nice shocks, keep them and put two more up front. I just ordered 4 Rancho GSX17000's for mine, should get 'em tomorrow.

Here is an idea of what needs to be done with the add-a-leaf. I took the entire spring pack off my truck and laid it on the ground. I used a C clamp to hold it together and with vice grips and a box wrench took of the single bolt holding the pack together. The whole pack only releases about an inch so don't worry about it flying apart. I put the add-a-leaf in and with the supplied longer bolt(definitley needed it) I tightened the leaf pack together. Make sure you put grease on each end of the new leaf, it will make tightening it easier. After that was done, my leaf pack had a considerably smaller arc. Once completely tightened, the threaded end of the bolt stuck out about 3 inches so I cut that off leaving about 1/2" after the nut. Putting it back on was easy, just loosen the upper shackle bolt to make reintalling the spring easier.

Hope this answers your question.

P.S. If you have a sport you most likely have the mono-leaf, the add-a-leaf won't work with those. You will have to get shackles instead.

[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 08-24-2000 at 07:55 PM]

 

[jf26]

thanks 2001,

Yeah I can see why it may not be necessary to rearc, could be just a waste of money. I think I'll leave the dirty work up to a 4x4 shop. In that case is there anything I should let them know or watch out for? I told them about the Torsion ajustment to level out the ride. Actually I have a 4 door. I haven't figured out how to get a signature yet.

jeff

 

[2001ExpSport]

Jeff,

Go up top and click on profile, enter your username and password. Scroll down on the next page and you will see a signiture box where you can type stuff.