replacing worn lift springs

[Maniak]

Hey all..

Our front springs aren't lifting the front like they used to. Currently they are James Duff 2.5" lift springs (with f-150 spacers underneath). They have at least 180k miles on them. I really like the Duff springs since they are progressive, but I am wanting to go spring over axle in the rear and the front have sagged enough that on a hard hit the front shocks bottome out (only 2" of up travle left)

As I understand it, an SOA will lift the rear about 5.5" or so and even with new Duff springs and the f-150 spacers the front is only lifted about 4".

The rear springs do need to be replaced anyway (they are OME-36 springs, 2" lift) with War-153 shackles and the springs have at least 150k miles on them.

My real question is, does anyone else (other than Duff) make a progressive rate front spring? If so, how much lift are they? (2.5", 4"?). I'm thinking of either using a new Duff front spring (2.5") with f-150 spacers and taking out the War-153 shackles and keep using our "flat" rear springs (they dont' lift much at all) Or if I have to, get a pair of rear springs made (I still have my sagged stock ones I could use just in case).

My other option is to use someone elses progressive rate front springs. If I can find a 4" progressive front spring that would make life easier with the rear but I haven't found one.

Thanks in advance for any input...

 

[hunterep]

Same Prob

What stage suspension kit you have?

Since everyone else is being tight lipped and Im in the same saggy state heres where Im at!

I was hoping the f-150 spacers would help my saggy JD springs, looks like you all ready did that. I have been doing lots of searching. National spring might be able to help you out but they quote $275 for custom coils. JD now has that 5.5" lift with proggresive rate coils but they dont list seperate component prices or part #'s. You might want to call them and find out all that is different between a stage 3 2.5" and a 5.5" lift. Im not a big fan of talking to JD and they are terrible at responding to emails. I was looking at buying Superlift or SkyJacker 4" lift springs and calling it good. Now you'd probably need a droped pitman so you might as well throw 6" under there and scrap all the spacers. Problem is the drop brackets are only 2" so finding the right camber bushing is now a concern. Figure since all spring brands are sagging its finding out what the tallest spring we can run on 2" drop brackets is. I have read of people using the SL 5.5" springs in the SL 4" drop down hole. Some change camber/caster bushings to 2.75/3 some dont. Im pretty sure you could get away with 4" springs minus the f-150 spacers with good results on the JD lift.

If anything this has sparked someone else to chime in and state the facts!!!!

 

[Tbars4]

i'm really not all up on this and i have a ranger, see my specs below...anyway, i had a problem after adding a shell and carpet kit...it sagged down 1 1/2" over 2 months....i also add a lot of extra wait transferring tools to different jobs... needless to say i needed to replace my wore out shocks...anyway, i added gabriel coilover shocks in the rear...for me it worked out great...i have extra support for the load, rear feels firm on highway and not hard at all, i gained my 1 1/2" inches back and as some would say, soft leaf springs are good for off roading...i just wanted to see if this might help you in your quest...i just hope i don't get slammed for my idea, lmao...

 

[Mud Bug 94]

arent the skyjackers progressive?

 

[Maniak]

I already have a superlift dropped pitman arm (it really cleaned up the steering on the rough 2-lane I have to drive on to get to work)..

You hit the big question.. how tall of a front spring can I run with the JD drop brackets and still get the camber right. One side has an adjustable camber shim, the otherside is a specific degree. I'll clean up the knuckles this week and see what size they are.. That might give an idea of how much more lift I can get on the front (over what I have now) and still keep it alignable.

I know JD used to not sell individual parts, but since I want replacement parts, I'm hoping they will. I'll just have to call and find out for sure..

~Mark

 

[hunterep]

Currently Im back in sand land for a couple more months. I plan on jacking up the front end to the ride height Im looking for when I get back and then measure the length of the coil + spacer is @ and comparing that to the coils available installed height. Then put in the spring closest to that measurement. Then messing with the camber if necessary.

Heres what I found on the forum so far a SJ 6" coil is 19.75 free and about 18" installed. A SL 5.5" coil is 18" free and about 16.5 installed. A 4" coil is 16" free and about 14.5 installed

Keep me posted as I was really sad to come home on r&r and see my truck all droopy in the front.

I was tempted to take the hi-lift to my front hitch and leave the front end in the air a couple days to stretch it back out.

I gave up on JD they are just to hard to work with. Mabey this upcoming move will make things right. Hope you have better luck!

 

[whitetrash96]

Cage offroad sells progressive rate coil springs, apparently if the rumors are true he used to work at JD so he could answer your other questions as well. His online site doesn't really tell much but you could give him a call and see what he has to say.

 

[Maniak]

I took another look at the springs last night (Front ones).. and noticed that on the passenger side (the side I keep blowing bushings out of ) I'm down to about 2" of up travel.

The 1st 3 rings of the coil are flat againt each other.. I'd say I really wore out that spring. The spring on the other side isn't as bad..

I did talk to JD today and replacement springs are $139 for the pair (you need to show you already own the "kit" (brackets)).

I'm going to start with a new pair of springs up front since the explorer isn't completly retired as a DD and I'm blowing out a bushing about once a week (its gonna get expensive).

~Mark