My thoughts on a 4" SOA flip.

[tweakedlogic]

So I have decided that the under slung axle will hurt me in the end.
so I'm going to flip it. However i don't want any more than 4".
I was thinking of all kinds of ways to do this.
Some included using much softer and possible shorter spring packs.
Then i came across this.

It's the rear spring mount on a Bronco. the shackle is upside down.
It occurred to me that I can install these on either side and get my 4" SOA.
What do you guys think? feasible?

 

[tweakedlogic]

I didn't realize that pic was so big

 

[Slowlyvverot]

the shackle mounts on the bronco are outboard of the frame, while the shackles mount through the frame on an explorer. so, no.

 

[little x]

I really want a 4" SOA as well. I've given it a ton of thought over the last year or too. I thought about the exact same thing (rangers have flipped hangers too). You'd have to build new mounts for the front of the spring pack, which is doable. BUT, it's not going to work with a stock 8.8 because the axle isn't wide enough to allow you to move the springs outboard of the frame without the springs rubbing on the tires. I guess it could work with some big (think 1.5 or 2") spacers. But remember, the further out the springs are the less flex you will have. Honestly, I haven't thought about moving the springs inside the frame, now you have me thinking. You'd have to relocate the gas tank with a fuel cell, probably rework the exhaust, but that might be an option. . .

 

[bcburlette]

Well you could try to find/have made some shorter(drop) shackles... probably wont help your flex much, but it would cut an inch or so off your SOA.

Or you could try re-drilling the holes in warrior shackles.

EDIT- another idea, you could get two passenger side leaf springs from the earliest ex(s) you can find, and swap yours out for them(aka use saggy springs)

 

[tweakedlogic]

Well I already have a 91 and a 92. so I think my springs are about as supple as they are going to get.

I thought about the narrow axle and considered boxing in the inside of the frame to mount the spring hangers. that should give me a little more flex too, right?

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Why not just go with a normal 5-6" soa and then match the front? Just curious.

 

[little x]

The op might have a different reason, but mine is that you can fit 35's no problem with a 4" lift. I have 34's now with a 2" and I could probably fit 35's if I wanted too. 35" is really the largest tire you can use while wheeling it hard and expect the front axle to hold up. And lifting any higher then you need to to fit your tires is just unnecessarily raising your center of gravity. But, I do want to convert the rear to SOA for ground clearance reasons.

 

[damarble]

If your rear springs are that old they are probably already sagged an inch or more. So find or make spring perchs that lay flat on the tube (most raise up a little bit). Maybe take one leaf out of the pack. That should put you at 4-4.5" over a stock Explorer from the factory.

 

[gmanpaint]

Who wants to sacrifice ride quality for lift if you don't have to? Going with less leafs, or worn/bad leafs is not the answer IMHO.

What size lift in the front?

Depending on how big a lift in front, Another option is to do a normal SOA. Then do a 3" SLOPED body lift. 3" in front, down to X" in rear.

 

[damarble]

How are you sacrificing ride quality by reusing your springs? Maybe taking a leaf out may be detrimental but that may not be needed.

And a body lift is not helping the situation.


If you never tow or load down heavy,take out the overload, easy 1/2". With that and your current springs you've now lost 1.5-2", a normal SOA is 5.5-6". Very simple and easy. If you are puttin new 4-4.5" springs in front it should balance out perfect.

 

[gmanpaint]

Maybe take one leaf out of the pack.

Sounds like a Sacrifice to me. Why use old, instead of new for a mod like this?
Maybe it's just me, but if my leafs were old and flat, I wouldn't go thru all this, just to install bad leafs.





Sloped body lift was suggested as an "Option" not the Holy Grail of all answers.

How is a sloped body lift Hurting anything? Have you seen one done? Have you rode in a rig with it done?

I am very curious to hear what the negative effects are that make the sloped a bad idea.

 

[damarble]

You're just trying to be difficult and twist my words aren't you? I said maybe. He might not even have to, and it's the overload that's removed it has no affect on ride quality. There's nothing wrong with keeping the old leaves either, they work just fine. Matter of fact, well broken in springs have a much softer and comfortable ride it paired with the right shocks.

And as far as the body lift, tweakedlogic never even brought it up and has nothing to do with the thread. I never said it "hurt", that's your word. It's not helping (my words) because it's not even related to a SOA. It's akin to somebody asking "what CAI should I install on my 4.0L" and you replying with "just drop in a 5.0L". Unrelated and not asked for.

I don't know what ramifications a sloped body lift has, but at the very least it looks stupid. Not to mention EF is becoming a laughing stock on the subject with linkbacks from every major 4x4 forum.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Yeah I think we should get back on track and focus on the 4" SOA issue.

 

[gmanpaint]

HAha..ok wise guy, you know it all, tell the OP whats best, and how to do it. You obviously know more than the rest of us here.

Good luck.

 

[damarble]

At least my suggestion was on topic. I obviously know more about that then you do.

 

[tweakedlogic]

I only want a 4" to keep my center of gravity as low as possible. I don't mind cutting fenders for clearance. I will never run anything larger than 33s, maybe 34s. so I don't need to go bigger. In fact, 33s will be my trail tires and 255/70/17s will be my street tires.
I'm using 4" spring from an f150 in the front with turned beams and extended radius arms. I am toying with the idea of using the 2005 steering rack too. I installed one the other day for a customer and I think it will work with some massaging. There is a guy in my motorcycle club that is a terrific welder and owns his own shop. He has offered to help with my welding needs for a much better than reasonable rate.

I do some towing so removing the overload spring is not an option. Another way I was looking to do this is to move the front spring mount forward about an inch and half in the frame. This is not ideal for me though.

Any thoughts on boxing the inside of the frame to mount the springs a little further in?

I have actually purchased a 3" body lift but I don't like them. It's been sitting on my shelf for over two years now. I would rather increase my suspension travel than to just fit bigger tires.

 

[damarble]

The 2005 steering box sounds like a great idea, I plan to swap to a 97+ F150/Expedition box, they are pretty nice.

Two problems with moving the springs inside, there's just no clearance beside the gas tank which will be a huge headache. Secondly it will decrease stability to some degree.

You might look at raising the frame mount for the shackles up, it's lower down on the frame and may be able to move up 1-1.5", losing you 0.5-.75" of height. Might have to notch and reinforce the frame back there to keep the eye of the spring from hitting it.

Here's some measurements to add into the equation. Your axle tube is 3.25", your factory spring pack is 1.5". If you could mount the perch flat on the tube it only raises 0.25", bringing your total lift to exactly 5". This doesn't take into account any other variables, such as flatter springs, moving frame mounts, etc.

 

[tweakedlogic]

I'm giong to pull the X on the rack after work and see what can go where. I hadn't thought of the gas tank in the way. I'll do some measurments and let you guys know what i find.

 

[KPSquared]

What exactly is the problem with leaving it sprung under and adding 4" lift springs?