HELP!! Leaf spring help- I need leaf spring help.... everybody chip in on this one | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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HELP!! Leaf spring help- I need leaf spring help.... everybody chip in on this one

meyek91974

Well-Known Member
Joined
August 21, 2008
Messages
148
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City, State
Louisville, Kentucky - Let me no f u r nearby
Year, Model & Trim Level
'99 Explorer 2wd Edd.B
I have a '97, 4door, 4wheel drive, saggy ass......

The BIG FKG PROBLEM is:
(A) I just spent $50 this week getting 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 10" bar stock, punching holes, bedliner coated, and #8 case hardened new bolts/nuts/flat&locking washers and then I find that the tow hitch I had to get today is in the way of a longer than factory shackle. - and money is beyond tight right now.

(B)my factory shackles are rusted beyond safe a long time ago as I realize.

(C) I sagged before having to pull a trailer and now.

The SOLUTION:
(A)could shell out $40 more (that I shouldnt spend) for Add-A-Leaf and cut my 10" new shackles shorter down to stock 7".

OR-------

HERE'S THE QUESTION:
'97 Explorers have 4 leafs sit'n under the axle; what about leaf over axle, only use 3 longest of 4 leafs, and make 6" or 5" shackles which is shorter than factory 7"?

Give me input!!! it's the weekend and I have to solve before monday
 












I made the same dimension shackles as you and installed them this morning (I don't have a tow hitch). I had previously installed the ProComp AAL and I only gained approx 1 to 1.25" of lift from them, I gained another 1.5" of lift from the shackles.

How much does your rear end sag?

The shackles aren't going to allow you to carry or tow heavy loads but the AAL will, so I do recommend the AAL, keep in mind that you will probably only get 1to 1.5" of lift from the AAL. This may or may not be enough depending on how much your back end is sagging. I also much prefer the ride of my X now with the AAL installed.

From what I have read on this site if you do a spring over axle conversion you are going to get a 5-6" lift which will probably be too much.

Another option is to use a F150 leaf springs, I don't know much about this mod but if you do a search for it you should be able to get lots of info.

I hope this helps you a bit.
 






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