Best weight to increase weight handling of 99 rear suspension?

[taylorpro]

Hey guys. I have a 99' XLT 4 door with the tow package. My rear suspension had appeared to have a bit of sag compared to the front when I bought it. But from what I've seen this is fairly common. Well, I'm heavily into car audio and just threw in my subs,box, and amps and added about 250lbs in the cargo area. and needless to say it really squats now.lol. I want to increase the weight handling to try to get the ride height as close as possible. But I want the improvement to not **** on the integrity of the suspension. I don't want it to be squishy and sway as it may when adding something like helper air bags. I was thinking about somehting like these Monroe Air Struts http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-MA776-...&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive OR perhaps even adding a heavier leaf spring package. I just have no clue where to look for that option. I'm open to suggestions and opinions guys. Appreciate it -Taylor

 

[Blee1099]

Best bet is to either get your rear springs re-arched or replaced. If your sag is significant I'd say get newer heavier duty spring packs. Some say a 63" Chevrolet leaf spring back is the perfect length to fix a sag. Air struts are just a bandaid in my opinion since your handling will be effected since their gonna be used constantly to take care of the sag.

 

[waskly]

shocks dampen bumps, ride height is from leaf springs.

 

[taylorpro]

okay guys i appreciate the fast responses. Does anyone actually make a stiffer leaf spring pack for these cars? like with an extra leaf?

 

[Jstcruz]

I used an add-a-leaf set from Sumit racing. It leveled mine out but I dont have that much weight in mine. It doesnt show much squat with a trailer on it tho. For $30 imo its a start

 

[taylorpro]

I used an add-a-leaf set from Sumit racing. It leveled mine out but I dont have that much weight in mine. It doesnt show much squat with a trailer on it tho. For $30 imo its a start

was it specifically for an Explorer? Do you have the part number? and a trailer is probably about the same affect as what I have. Also, does anyone think simply replacing the pack with a new one would help? Just because of the age?

 

[taylorpro]

On this website I noticed they list an "HD" leaf package. It says the original spring pack is rated for 1250lbs and the HD is rated for 1700lbs. For reference I'm referring to Part No. 43-967HD

http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/...Ford_Bronco_Bronco_II_Leaf_Springs-224-1.html

 

[Jstcruz]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXP-13120/

I have a 5x10 utility trailer and commonly haul pretty good loads of lumber. At most it seems to sag below the front end a little but its not really obviouse. It sits just a hair high in the back when its empty, compared to it used to be noticably lower in the rear when it was empty

 

[taylorpro]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXP-13120/

I have a 5x10 utility trailer and commonly haul pretty good loads of lumber. At most it seems to sag below the front end a little but its not really obviouse. It sits just a hair high in the back when its empty, compared to it used to be noticably lower in the rear when it was empty

sweet. how do you install an extra leaf exactly???

 

[Jstcruz]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXP-13120/

I have a 5x10 utility trailer and commonly haul pretty good loads of lumber. At most it seems to sag below the front end a little but its not really obviouse. It sits just a hair high in the back when its empty, compared to it used to be noticably lower in the rear when it was empty

search "add a leaf" on their site and it comes up with a few different kinds.

 

[taylorpro]

search "add a leaf" on their site and it comes up with a few different kinds.

and what year is your EX? when i put in 99' on summit that part wasn't shown.

 

[Jstcruz]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97676

This got me thru it nicely. It took mw about 45 - 60 mins to do it on my own.

 

[taylorpro]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97676

This got me thru it nicely. It took mw about 45 - 60 mins to do it on my own.

Thats an awesome write up. Only thing I'm hesitant about is compatibility. I thought my leaf package was the same as a 97's but it only list's the part for up to a 97' Explorer

 

[Jstcruz]

Im taking apart a 99 XLT right now, the whole truck is identicle to my 97 other than the sohc engine, bumpers and hatch. (and the hood latch mechanism believe that or not) Those add a leaf kits work on many different vehicles. All leaf springs are bassicly the same other then load capability, so adding another leaf will not hurt anything, only improve it. Definatly take note of the bolts they use tho! The ones included with the kit are useless.

 

[taylorpro]

Im taking apart a 99 XLT right now, the whole truck is identicle to my 97 other than the sohc engine, bumpers and hatch. (and the hood latch mechanism believe that or not) Those add a leaf kits work on many different vehicles. All leaf springs are bassicly the same other then load capability, so adding another leaf will not hurt anything, only improve it. Definatly take note of the bolts they use tho! The ones included with the kit are useless.

will do man! were you able to use the factory U-bolts?

 

[Jstcruz]

will do man! were you able to use the factory U-bolts?

yes. It is a take it apart - put it back together fix. all you need is the add a leafs and the 2 bolts and your good. It helps a lot to have an impact wrench, but torque down everything as you are putting it together.

For the money, this is a hugely helpful fix for stock and modified trucks. I am using the springs out of this Ex to lift my 84 Ranger a couple inches and I plan to use add a leafs before I even mock it up.

 

[taylorpro]

yes. It is a take it apart - put it back together fix. all you need is the add a leafs and the 2 bolts and your good. It helps a lot to have an impact wrench, but torque down everything as you are putting it together.

For the money, this is a hugely helpful fix for stock and modified trucks. I am using the springs out of this Ex to lift my 84 Ranger a couple inches and I plan to use add a leafs before I even mock it up.

hell yeah man. i think im going to try to add these for now, then in the spring when i have some more money ill get new stock leaf packs and put these in too. should be pretty nice

 

[drdoom]

Add a leaf worked great in mine. I carry a lot of tools & gear, and the handling is much improved.