Rear End Sag Fix?

[ThatOneGuy99]

So I have a 99 Explorer that I've put a 3ish inch lift on (torsion keys and shackles), when we did the lift we put brand new leaf springs on too. We took it out for the first time with 300ish pounds of gear in the back and it was almost riding on the tires with a full tank of gas. I've looked on the forums and people say air bags for the most part, but I would think because of the lift it would be more involved than just mounting the brackets and putting in the bags. I also don't have the time or space to do the add a leaf kits myself and would prefer to avoid going to a shop. I'm not looking to do anything insanely expensive or time involved but just need something to keep it level as best I can. The last thing I'm looking at is a roadmaster active suspension kit which some people say is great, but some say it's almost like a scam. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

bags could work! however i used to use air shocks, which served me quite well to at least level the rear (up for debate whether its good to put the stress on shock mounts but ive had them for ~15+ years and no issues) and what is the spring rate on the springs? i remember way back someones 2nd gen lost alot of arch from dayton springs which were 1500(?) psi

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

bags could work! however i used to use air shocks, which served me quite well to at least level the rear (up for debate whether its good to put the stress on shock mounts but ive had them for ~15+ years and no issues) and what is the spring rate on the springs? i remember way back someones 2nd gen lost alot of arch from dayton springs which were 1500(?) psi

Not sure what the rate is honestly, had a shop do that part, but I was looking around and apparently old man emu still makes leaf springs for these old explorers ARB Old Man Emu Leaf Spring - CS042R

Any experience with these?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

acttually, i have those on my rig!!!! ive been super happy with them, much better than stock, but not the greatest for towing, as the overload leaf is so low... great for offroad, not so much for towing... iirc heres an image of someone towing w omes camachee_ridge_015-jpg.364242

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

acttually, i have those on my rig!!!! ive been super happy with them, much better than stock, but not the greatest for towing, as the overload leaf is so low... great for offroad, not so much for towing... iirc heres an image of someone towing w omes camachee_ridge_015-jpg.364242

We're not gonna tow really, just some mild to medium offroading and hauling camping gear in the back.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

We're not gonna tow really, just some mild to medium offroading and hauling camping gear in the back.

for froading, theyre super good!!! tons of flex!!! i would say however maybe adding a LONG (not short) AAL to it though if you plan to carry load regularly, arb says 200 kg iirc (pls confirm)

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

for froading, theyre super good!!! tons of flex!!! i would say however maybe adding a LONG (not short) AAL to it though if you plan to carry load regularly, arb says 200 kg iirc (pls confirm)

I mean the most load I'll carry is probably 400-500lbs at the absolute max, those say they add 2.5" of lift, think they'd be okay to use the shackles with or should I toss the shackles? Don't want the rear lifted up higher than the front

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I mean the most load I'll carry is probably 400-500lbs at the absolute max, those say they add 2.5" of lift, think they'd be okay to use the shackles with or should I toss the shackles? Don't want the rear lifted up higher than the front

then you should be fine!! the leaves are a 1.5" lift, not 2.5, and for my 4dr by the time they settles it was around the 1.5 advertised! as such, i would toss the shackles, as you would have a ~1-1.5 rake, as although they say tt can be up to 2" i would go past 1.5, youre just eating downtravel, so i set my tt at 1.25, which gave me a .25" rake which evens out by the time i put anyting in the truck... even at the 2" max TT rear would still be ~.75" higher, so either way i say to go to stock size shackle imo for reference the truck in this thread has the same setup w/ TT, OME, shackle... a bit rake imo For Sale - 1997 Explorer Sport 4x4 with new suspension - OME leafs and 32" BFG AT's

 

[Blown]

Ditto on air shocks! I use Monroe and have a thread somewhere.

I took out the overload leaf which is 1/2" thick (1/2" lift), I bought 1-2" lift shackles (cut them down 1" lift) and I added air shocks (1/2-1" lift). So I got 2 to 2.5" of rear lift with 255/70R16's. I run air shocks up front as well with a torsion twist.

I air up tires and shocks to haul camping gear and other stuff. It rides good on the old stock, soft springs with 30lbs in the air shocks, at 50lbs it is noticeably stiffer, and air to about 70lbs in the rear to haul stuff. I just hauled 582lb of scrap steel to the recycler yesterday and am going to pick up some bags of top soil for the yard later.

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

Ditto on air shocks! I use Monroe and have a thread somewhere.

I took out the overload leaf which is 1/2" thick (1/2" lift), I bought 1-2" lift shackles (cut them down 1" lift) and I added air shocks (1/2-1" lift). So I got 2 to 2.5" of rear lift with 255/70R16's. I run air shocks up front as well with a torsion twist.

I air up tires and shocks to haul camping gear and other stuff. It rides good on the old stock, soft springs with 30lbs in the air shocks, at 50lbs it is noticeably stiffer, and air to about 70lbs in the rear to haul stuff. I just hauled 582lb of scrap steel to the recycler yesterday and am going to pick up some bags of top soil for the yard later.

And I'm partial on air springs, we have a Ram 2500 we bagged and it's been great, but my explorer has 31' tires and sees some uh heavier off-road use, like driving through a field of rocks and in dried up river beds, I'm just afraid of putting too much strain on them

 

[Fix4Dirt]

And I'm partial on air springs, we have a Ram 2500 we bagged and it's been great, but my explorer has 31' tires and sees some uh heavier off-road use, like driving through a field of rocks and in dried up river beds, I'm just afraid of putting too much strain on them

ive taken the air shocks towing 5k, offroading, and they lasted a good 15 years!!! if you think air shocks would be right for you, they are also another good option! just dont under or over air them, and they should be good!

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

Ditto on air shocks! I use Monroe and have a thread somewhere.

I took out the overload leaf which is 1/2" thick (1/2" lift), I bought 1-2" lift shackles (cut them down 1" lift) and I added air shocks (1/2-1" lift). So I got 2 to 2.5" of rear lift with 255/70R16's. I run air shocks up front as well with a torsion twist.

I air up tires and shocks to haul camping gear and other stuff. It rides good on the old stock, soft springs with 30lbs in the air shocks, at 50lbs it is noticeably stiffer, and air to about 70lbs in the rear to haul stuff. I just hauled 582lb of scrap steel to the recycler yesterday and am going to pick up some bags of top soil for the yard later.

So you use something like these?

Max-Air Adjustable Air Shocks for Towing | Monroe Shocks & Struts

Designed to maintain level vehicle height, Monroe Max-Air Air Adjustable Shocks can be inflated or deflated as needed.

www.monroe.com

 

[Fix4Dirt]

So you use something like these?

Max-Air Adjustable Air Shocks for Towing | Monroe Shocks & Struts

Designed to maintain level vehicle height, Monroe Max-Air Air Adjustable Shocks can be inflated or deflated as needed.

www.monroe.com

iirc that was what i used

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

iirc that was what i used

I've got rancho RS on 4 corners now though and I'm not too keen on throwing those out especially since they're brand new

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I've got rancho RS on 4 corners now though and I'm not too keen on throwing those out especially since they're brand new

yeah! now i have ranchos, and theyre fine with the OME! just if you want to stick w stock springs then air shocks but OME is a one and done

 

[Jason94sport]

Maybe those leafs are junk? I have just shackles, stock springs & the gas adjust shocks & have loaded the rear to much more the 300lbs. Yes it weighted down, but not to the tires.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

x

Maybe those leafs are junk? I have just shackles, stock springs & the gas adjust shocks & have loaded the rear to much more the 300lbs. Yes it weighted down, but not to the tires.

New Dayton leaf springs lost 75% of arch after install...see pics

Hello all. Last week a local garage installed a brand new pair of Dayton leaf springs. Dayton pn 43-1159, direct replacement for F57Z-5560-A and B. Springs were purchased online, not from the garage. The springs are now flat from front spring bolt to rear axle. There's some, but not a lot...

www.explorerforum.com

like this?

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

What about the timbren bump stops? Does anyone have experience with those?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

never heard of them before! can you link them? i only know of energy suspension and the explorer express ones (EE is now gone apparently)

edit: energy suspension doesnt make bump stops for ours, nevermind

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

never heard of them before! can you link them? i only know of energy suspension and the explorer express ones (EE is now gone apparently)

edit: energy suspension doesnt make bump stops for ours, nevermind

Timbren Bump Stops - Active Off-Road Progressive Bumpstops

Timbren Active Off-Road Bumpstops are designed to allow for proper deflection of the suspension. Provides a damping response when the suspension bottoms out. Shop now.

timbren.com

Looks like they just replace the factory bump stops, they also make extension plates for them for lifted trucks.