Modifying Ford Explorer Leaf Springs for Lift using F-150 Leaf Springs

[loboga]

From what I've found out, all the F150 springs up to 96 are 2.5", after that they went to 3" wide. I was going to make some sliders like that myself, but when I pulled them off they were so bent up that I ended up buying a set from Warrior, very heavy duty and a bit more ground clearance. I want to pu the teflon pads in my new spring packs, any body know where to get them?

 

[Bronco638]

Check your thread in the For Sale section.

 

[Silver X]

Originally Posted by Bronco638
To anyone considering this mod but doesn't want to search thru junk yards for old F150s:

Eaton Detroit Spring is offering an 'upgrade kit':
Leaves (w/o main plate), retaining clips, center bolts, inserts and u-bolts w/nuts and washers (for both sides) $225.00 plus shipping.

This is a complete kit and nothing else is needed (except your mechanical expertise).

Feel free to email or PM me with additional questions and/or for contact information.

Robb: if this post is against Forum rules, I apologise. Feel free to remove it (please let me know you are doing so).

Great job on the write-up!

Do you know if this offer is still available? PM sent.

I picked up the upgrade kit from Eaton today and paid the new price of $260 (+tax it totalled $275.60). I'll post pics of the kit in a little while when I get them hosted. I'll try to remember to take some before and after pics too.

 

[Silver X]

Here are some pics of the spring upgrade kit from Eaton Springs. I think they just took an F150 set off the shelf and pulled the main leaf out.

 

[Bronco638]

I think they just took an F150 set off the shelf and pulled the main leaf out.

That's pretty much what I have under my truck.

Thanks for posting the pictures Mike. I edited the pricing of the kit in two places in this thread. Let us know how the swap goes.

Dave.

 

[Silver X]

I got off work at 5pm today, so I actually had time to get the swap done. Went pretty easily and only took me 2 hours to finish, since its still fairly rust free. Would've gone quicker, but the new u-bolts spread open too much around the axle and I couldn't get them to bend enough to go through the holes in the plates. I gave up and reused the factory u-bolts for now, but if there are any problems I'll change them.

The new springs levelled the truck pretty well, without touching the front torsion bars. Now the rear's just a hair higher than the front. If the springs don't settle much, I might need to raise the front a little. I should probably clean the smudges off the camera lens too.

Here are the pics:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[loboga]

We've sent Eaton several emails asking about the plastic pads to put between the leaves, but I guess its just not important enough for them to reply to.

 

[Bronco638]

They continue to have problems with their email server. I suggest you make a phone call.

 

[Silver X]

Yep, give them a call. They answered right away when I called.

 

[Bronco638]

Mike,
Thanks for posting the pics of your install. There's nothing better than dealing with a rust-free vehicle (I'm blessed with a truck from Georgia). After I did my leaf swap, I reused the same u-bolts without any ill effects but I plan to use new ones when I swap my rear diff. After you've ridden around for a few weeks, let us know what you think.

Dave.

 

[Silver X]

Ok its been a couple of weeks since I did my suspension work. The rear settled less than 1/8". I raised the front to match now and all four wheel wells measure 34 7/8" to the ground. There is still plenty of bolt left in the torsion bar adjusters to give me another inch+ of lift up front. I think I could fit 32s easily right now and 33s with shackles and maxing out the front bars. The wheel wells are huge on these things! The handling is great for an SUV and I'm extremely happy with this spring upgrade.

Here's a pic of the latest changes. Badly needs larger tires now.

 

[OZY EXPLORER]

I bought my first explorer in 1998 after two months found the rear springs too soft . Went to the local spring shop had the rear springs cold rolled in a press , added a1/2in over rider spring similar to the one in the above kit .then cranked up front torsion bars. This gave me 3ins at the rear and 2ins up front. My next explorer 1999 came with self leveling rear suspension (ozzy spec) on need to do anything

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Still kickin this thread around.
I just E-mailed Mike at Eaton Spring,and got a really quick response back from him,well actually 2,on a quote for the spring kit 260.00 and 45.50 for shipping.He's earned my buisness as soon as I'm ready for them.But I gotta get other stuff done first.

 

[Lloyd10977]

Still kickin this thread around.
I just E-mailed Mike at Eaton Spring,and got a really quick response back from him,well actually 2,on a quote for the spring kit 260.00 and 45.50 for shipping.He's earned my buisness as soon as I'm ready for them.But I gotta get other stuff done first.

That sounds like a great deal. Eaton's quality is great so you should have no regrets about this purchase.

 

[Bronco638]

Mike has been very, very helpful with information. Glad to hear you're considering making a purchase from his business.

 

[samnitesspear]

Hello everyone,
I have a question about the SAG. I noticed it before I put the super lift kit in and it's still there. Here's my stupid question and I know I'm askin for it but, do the lift kit springs come dr side and pss side, cause I've done many lifts in broncos and scouts and never saw marked sides on the spring packs.
Thanks,
Joe

 

[Bronco638]

The reason I suggested that you keep the driver's side and passenger side leaf packs intact was for this very reason. By knowing which is which, you can install the passenger side F150 leaf pack on the driver's side main Explorer leaf (and vice-versa). Provided you have some low mile F150 leaves, you'll cure the sag problem (to a certain point).

If you don't want to go the F150 leaf mod route, you could simply swap leaf packs (side-to-side) on your truck or install new leaf packs. The 'sag' issue is due to the driver and the gas tank being on the driver's side of the driveshaft. Eventually gravity takes it's toll.........

D.

 

[Lloyd10977]

Quite often, by placing the spring packs side by side (curve up) you can determine which is which. Then place whatever pack has flattened out the most on the passenger side. I was lucky when I pulled the springs off the junked Bronco, I was able to mark them, but they were so close that it made little difference.

 

[Bronco638]

I must have been pretty lucky then. The F150 leaves that I found leveled out the Ex so that it's less than 1/2" lower on the driver's side than on the passenger side (and that's with a full tank of gas).

 

[cmacclel]

So everyone thats used this F150 kit how many inches do you think you have gained?? The F150 spring packs from eaton are around $300 shipped. The complete new superlift 4" springs are the same price! I'm wondering if I install the Superlift springs on my 01 Sport and then doing a 2" Torsion twist up front if I would be close to level. I know my truck and all the 01 Sports sag from the factory at least an inch in the back right off the lot.


Mac