rear end sag, time for a lift?

[Brownpsu78]

So the rear end on my 4.0 2001 explorer 4 door 4wd is sagging pretty good.
does this usually come from the springs flattening? what would be the ideal way to fix this, and improve handling, and might as well think about a lift at the same time?
I figure shes just getting broke in at 205k on the clock so no time like the present right?
My thoughts are in the back new shackels springs and shocks. and see how it sits. Then revisit the front end.
I actually like the raked look in general. But id really like her to be good on the highway and over potholes. So i dont want to just have rock hard springs and shocks to get the height.
Seriously though bumps are horrible right now, and the look is bothering me. thoughts?
There is an aftermarket hitch on this vehicle fyi

 

[96eb96]

There is another shock thread going on about shocks a few threads down. The Monroe load leveling coilovers may be what you need. I called monroe and the guy said they are technically not for anything other than loads, but I can tell off the record they do solve many issues.

 

[96eb96]

Also, Monroe clams there is little chance for them to damage the shock cross member:
1) The Limited models have air springs that must bear weight
2) The spring is a relatively low rate. The lions share of the weight is carried by the leafs

 

[Brownpsu78]

im checking out the other thread.
with the sag I have, is that the type of thing to correct with new leafs, then use the coil overs for the lift?

 

[96eb96]

If they are really shot you probably have to get new leafs, or rearch yours if there is a truck spring place around. Leaf springs wear out on all vehicles, and there are companies that specialize in renewing them. If I got aftermarket springs I would want them to be OEM quality.

Depending on your budget though, some have solved the issue with the Monroe Coilovers. They do give a bit of lift.

 

[SWIGIN]

Add-a-Leaf all day long.

That's what I did and that's what I would do again. It leaves the weight of the vehicle right where it was meant to be, at the frame. I also have no room or desire to have a coil spring over my shocks. My 2 1/2'' tail pipe is very tight to the stock skinny shock.

I would also never just use a longer shackle to correct this problem. In the end the vehicle might sit right but you still have the same old tired spring and sloppy ride.

 

[Mountinheer]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1056438&cc=1374353&jnid=492&jpid=0

Just did these plus kyb monomax and ride is amazing. AND you can crank em up for towing!

Not sure of long ter effects on std leaf... but ride is awesome.

O yea... 2001 AWD Mounty, 3" lift, 31" BFGoodrich

1 more thing... this was very very easy.

 

[J_C]

im checking out the other thread.
with the sag I have, is that the type of thing to correct with new leafs, then use the coil overs for the lift?

In my opinion, if you get (equivalent to OEM) new leaf springs then add coil overs, the ride will not only be stiff, but bouncy rough esp. over potholes unless you have a fair weight load in the rear.
The best ride will come with new springs, then longer shackles if you want lift, . The cheaper easier solution is the coilovers, especially if you need new shocks anyway.

However what you want is at odds with itself because this is a top heavy leaf spring suspended vehicle. To be good at handling it's going to need stiff springs, which make it bad at potholes and absorbing misc road bumps. Bigger sway bar and new poly bar bushings and end links will help handling, with either the new leaf springs or coil overs.

 

[Brownpsu78]

Jc, I appreciate your thoughts.
I have swapped out the shocks and it looks like the spring sag isn't so bad. ride quality is important to me as the vehicle gets a bit more mature
So I'm good with it on new shocks. W/ no lift.
The increased spring rate to lift the vehicle isn't attractive to me because I'm not a fan of how harsh lowered cars can be.