Spring Coil and Shock PROBLEMS!!!!!

[scion7722]

Ok so I have a few problems hopefully someone can help! So here is the story.....the front right side of my explorer is alittle more than an inch lower than the left, figured out the coil seems to be done for. Talked to a friend about adding coils and he said get a coil from a lifted f250 or f350 so it would hold up longer (stiffer ride but last longer). So I ordered big ol springs and tried to put them on. It took for ever to get one on and by the time I did the explorer sat like 4inches taller stretching the brake lines to the limits. People at the house I was working on it at started getting pissy it was taking so long so I decided screw it I will try again another day (plus I didn't know what damage it would do to have the big spring on), so I put old one back in. Doing the work on the springs I notice the grommets on both shocks are shot out along with there is no resistance to the shocks. Figured I would just get the same that was on there (to match up the size not knowing the size of the lift that is on there) so the shock it says rancho C2579 9179 I looked it up and cant find out too much about it except that someone once had that type on the back of a different truck.... don't know if it matters. Ummm different friend tells me to just cut the springs to the right size (has to be exact to work) another friend says take a torch to it cuz it is easier (not sure how to make both sides the same with a torch! So after all that I have a JACKED up spring 2 big ol springs I cant return and 2 blown out rancho shocks.. So if someone has any advice id appreciate it!

 

[Anime]

Don't use lifted F250 or F350 coils on an Explorer unless you want the lift they give and then some, and the dump truck like ride.

If you want to "fix" the sagging coil springs, you just swap them side to side, then use washers (1-1/4" I.D., 3.00" O.D.) to make up any additional height back up to stock or whatever gets the alignment in spec.

You can also just get new coil springs, Moog makes CC868 coils that are dual-rate and will give lift back to stock height. They run about $60/pair.

You'll of course also need new shocks. Depending on what shape the rear shocks are in, you might consider getting new shocks all around. 4wheelparts has a deal on Bilsteins for $259.99 for a set of 4 if you want the best shocks money can buy, and don't mind a firm ride. Otherwise just get whatever floats your boat, new Ranchos, Monroes (Ranchos are made by Monroe), KYB, etc.

 

[scion7722]

Thanks for the info, here is another dumb question but how would I tell what kind of lift was installed on it?

 

[Anime]

Is there a lift kit on it? I thought you were talking about a stock height Explorer.

You can look for stickers or brand names/logos on the parts, or just compare the parts to the hardware for different lift kits made for Explorers.

You can always upload photos (or links to photos) on here and many members can tell what brand a lift kit is just by looks.

Keep in mind just because lifts are sold as kits doesn't mean everything on a used vehicle is from one brand or kit, people do mix and match so you might have different brands for several parts depending how they did it, so you might want to take pics of the different components if you want to be sure what's what.


If you have lift springs up front, you can still swap them side to side and/or use spacers/washers to adjust the height as needed. If it's got a 4" lift or so, you can buy shocks for the 93-97 Ranger TTB front end that fit, otherwise you can get new Rancho shocks made for the Explorer/Ranger just like what's on there now.