Rear leaf stiffness ratings?

[Hokie]

I'm looking to put 4 door rear leafs in my '99 X Sport, does anybody know what the 3 stiffness ratings mean? I'm assuming that the Code F,H, and L rating system is like the front torsion bars, with F being the stiffest and L being the softest. What rating have you guys used for your Sports? I don't want to stiffen up the ride too much, just want to elminate sag, and increase my payload capacity. (And hopefully lead to me not having to do an AAL later on, b/c I've heard they ride like crap). Thanks guys

 

[ToneDog]

I'd be interested in that info too!

 

[Hokie]

COULD SOMEONE TAKE A QUICK LOOK?

Nobody has replied to my orginal post, so could someone help me out? Could someone with a 95+ 4 door look on their doorsil and see what their rear spring code is? (And also let me know if you have the factory towing package) I'm assuming that the Code F,H, and L rating system is like the front torsion bars, with F being the stiffest and L being the softest. My local junkyard has F and L springs, so I will probably get the non-towing package ones whichever they are. Thanks guys.

 

[becker69]

I have a '01 Explorer Sport Trac and assuming our leaf size is the same; My rear leaf is labeled as a "K" if I am looking in the correct spot on the door sticker.
I have the factory towing package (5100 lbs or something similar) and I believe mine are stiffer than standard 4 door leafs, just given the 'payload' of the bed that I have. I hope this helps a bit

 

[becker69]

OK I am kinda confused cuz I can't find where my specific 'rear spring code' is...
I was looking at Roberts description of VIN/door sticker codes and trying to see if one listed is applicable; his post;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=56208

Maybe that'll help you.

 

[rich98sport]

i Just Had B rate t-bars And F rated Springs Packs Put On My X Sport big change in ride alot stiffer than the mono leaf i had on there before but i like that. you might want to go with a softer spring than the F code
spring pack. ride is a little harsher but not alot.

 

[Hokie]

Thanks!

Sweet, that was exactly what I was looking for. When you put on the F rated leaf packs, did it raise the rear any? I have B rated bars up front and love the way they ride... How choppy is your sport now? I think I might just go with stiffer springs so I can carry a good load and have less body roll, and maybe lift my rear end a little too (i'll also do shackles, but i think the rear slightly higher looks good ~ the whole racked look)

 

[rich98sport]

It Raised It About 1/2 inch. that along with the warrior shackles i put on gives it a little more height in the rear
when i first put on the new t-bars i had to get used to the rougher ride. it's a little choppy but not much and it's usaully on the freeway, the roads out here are not that great but i can dial alot of it out with my rancho 9000 i also removed the rear sway bar that helped alot.
But even With The Choppiness i Love the way a lifted X-sport looks.

 

[ToneDog]

Hey guys,

How do you know what torsion bars you have?? I think my front end rides like there is no suspension, like rock! My '91 rode better, actually I had a skatboard when I was a kid the rode better than my '98, I need a better ride up front!

Any sugestions?

Also, Just outta curiosity, is the monoleaf on my sport the softest of the leafs?? Not that my rear is too hard it's fine, maybe alittle on the saggy side but not saggin enough to warrant an upgrade that is going to further harshen the ride!

Thanks,
ToneDog

 

[becker69]

Tonedog, look at the link that I posted earlier in this thread... it tells you what codes correlate to what is on your door sticker.

As far as your ride is concerned... what shocks are you running in the front and rear? IF they are Ford OEM... change them.... depending on your tastes there are plenty of threads to SEARCH on... with many guys with at similar configuration to you. If you replace the OEM shocks, it'll be one of the best mods you can do cheaply/easily. Good luck.

 

[ToneDog]

becker69,

Thanks for the reply,

I am running the original OEM shocks approaching 55k on them. I was thinking of upgrading but am afraid to make the ride any harsher than it already is!

My way of looking at it is that any new shock even new OEM's would be harsher than a shock that's got almost 55k on it. Correct me if i'm wrong??

I have done alot of searches on the front end/harsh ride and whole shock debate, after sifting through hours of info on the shocks alone, I have come to no clear conclusions, it seams everyone has there own opinion and everyone is trying to achieve something different. So efectively I am back at "square one"

So, what do you reccomend??

I would love to do a poll to find out who is running what in the 2nd gen group!

well, thanks
ToneDog

 

[becker69]

Sign up a poll then!! All I know on the shock issue is I went wheeling after doing the torsion twist and shackles.... and my OEM shocks beat the crap out of me!! The rebound/absorption of bumps, etc was crap. I was seriously thinking about turning my torsion back down a bit (I didn't like the ride a lot before I twisted anyways ) I did some research and was set to buy RS9000's.... but later went on very good advice and ordered the Old Man Emu (OME) shocks for the front. All I can say is WOW what a better ride on and off road... they suck up bumps but aren't mushy; they are a perfect ride (Not as harsh as I felt with the valving in the stock ones). I replaced my front shocks with only 10k miles on the truck. Money well spent.... but we could start or continue a new thread now that we are away from the 'leaf spring rating'.... post a poll....