Add-A-Leafs and Springs?

[Mainfraim]

I"m interested in putting something like 31"s on my 91 Explorer, but I'm afraid that they won't fit, because the Explorer already seems like it's the lowest one I've ever seen. So, I'm thinking that I"ll put on some sort of small lift. I wanted to know if Performance Products Progressive Front Springs and a set of Add-A-Leafs in the back would cause me any difficulties? I'm interested in trying to keep it nice riding also. Are these going to be a problem? When I do it, I"d probably get new Edelbrock shocks or the Rancho 9000s. I"m trying to keep cost to a minimum. Thanks a lot.

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<<MaiNFRaiM>>
-'91 Explorer EB
-'94 Explorer EB
-'95 F150 EB

 

[Tooicky]

If you install an add-a-leaf, you WILL have a much stiffer ride. After I installed a set of front progressive rate springs (replaced because it looked like a 70's Charger with air shocks), the front end was higher than the rear. To compensate for the increased height, I installed a set of Rancho 2" Add-A-Leaf's to correct the problem. I left the overload spring in place and my ride changed drastically. It took about 5,000 miles for the springs to "break-in", but until then, every bump made my teeth clatter. Also, the rear of my truck still rides higher than the front eventhough I installed a set of spacers under the ft. coils. I work at Pep boys, and have seen numerous Explorers come in for tires and the such with shod with 31" tires and most of them are stock in ride height.

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'92 Ford Explorer 5-spd.
Manual Hubs, 30/9.50's MT
K&N drop-in, Bosch+4 Plugs, 2" lift-kit

 

[Paul Gagnon]

For some reason the springs in my '98 are softer than the springs in my '92. I have an add a leaf in my '98. I feel it improved the ride. The stock springs are far too soft (and I have the trailer towing package) so I was bottoming out when loaded and it wallowwed all over the place going over dips and whoops. Now the ride has improved greatly. Sure it is a little stiffer but it is much more predictable and not really all that harsh. That is more important to me than a squishy uncontrolled ride like the stock springs. The rear now sits higher than the front and it looks better that way as far as I am concerned. I don't like trucks that are tail draggers.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

Technically Velveeta isn't REALLY cheese... it's a cheese food...
The stuff that other cheeses eat... I guess.

 

[eagle-keeper]

if you like the way the suspension rides now change to a longer shackle
if you want it stiffer use an add-a-leaf
the shackles will be about 40 bucks
and the add-a-leafs about 120 or so
do a search on shackles to read up on how to do it

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95 XL 4dr 4x4
1-1/2" shackle and twist
lift and level
daily driver

stock sucks cause stuck sucks

 

[Hank]

Mainfraim,

With the 31's on my 91eb it was a little tight, no rubbing though. I ended up going the Warrior shackle and Rough Country 1.5" leveling coil route and am very happy. The ride, note still with the stock shocks, is great. If you go the add-a-leaf route you will end up much stiffer in the rear and the ride will feel uneven. From experience I do not recommend the spacer route for the front. It is not worth the time for what little lift you get as compared to the coils. I rambled on in excessive detail on an old post titled "cheap way of lifting" in this forum. Others provided good input that might help also.

Best regards.
hg

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'91 EB, 4dr, 2wd
www.grimmick.com
hank@grimmick.com