Ranger leaves vs. Explorer leaves.

[shawnbru]

Ranger leafs vs. Explorer leafs.

Would ranger and explorer leaf springs interchange? I have a 91 XL 4 door 4X4 with rear end sag. The ford dealer told me that I could buy new ones for $135 a side if I gave him the spring code off of the door jamb. However I would like some springs off of a ranger with a towing package. Any ideas, I'm sure this has been hashed before.

 

[Kyle K.]

Spring discussion

Well yes and no. The springs do interchange but for what you are asking i don't believe that is the answer. The best way to go would be an explorer leaf pack for a tow package. There is a general concenesus that the ranger springs are softer. It is a suggested practice that to gain travel and flexability one could use a ranger main leaf on top of the whole explorer pack, with the eyes cut off the explorer main leaf. I actually just priced a set of ranger springs today, both packs for $40. Thats a steal. now just gotta get a longer pin for the center of the leaves. The absolute best answer to the question is to find out from ford what the different spring rates are for all the explorer and ranger offerings. then just pick the one with the highest spring rate. hope this helps some.

dodgerr

 

[shawnbru]

Re: Spring discussion

Thanks for the info. I have a 94 Ranger Supercab STX 4X4 and I was considering swapping the spring packs. Apparently not the best idea. My rear end is sagging a good 2 inches, enough to put my front tires into positive camber when parked on level ground with no load in the back. I will call Ford for the spring rates. In the mean time if anyone out there has a 91-94 4 door with a towing package I would greatly appreciate knowing what the rear spring code is on your driverside door jamb. Thanks for the reply Kyle.

 

[leebo]

I don't know for a fact....but if i'd have to guess the ranger would have a much softer rate than the explorer. The explorer weighs much more than does the ranger and something has to hold it up.

As for your rear end sag. There are other(cheaper) ways of fixing it. Add-a-leaf, shackles, just to name a few. Both are about 100 cheaper, and a heck of alot easier. Try a search on these two if either interests you.

Id also like to welcome you to the site. You'll find just about anything right here.

 

[rock883]

But doing either an add-a-leaf or a shackle would just sort of patch up the problem. When you do the shackles it will flatten the springs out and won't exactly give you all the lift you were going for. Then add-a-leaves will make the ride more harsh, especially since it is a pickup with hardly any weight on the rear wheels. You may be able to find some aftermarket leaf spring sets maybe from skyjacker or something that are for stock height. I think they make coils for stock vehicles, so they may also make stock sized leaves.

 

[shawnbru]

Good Shackles?

Thanks for the insight. Shackles sound like a great idea because my explorer still sits straight. The ride is so superior to my 94 Ranger that I wouldn't care about flattening the springs out with shackles at least for starters. Any ideas on where to get adjustable shackles for decent price. Something that is adjustable with a couple of sets of bolt holes so I can adjust my ride height?

[Edited by shawnbru on 01-21-2001 at 11:25 AM]