Swapping monoleaf for 4 door leaf pack worth it?

[Mark98]

To put it bluntly, my Ex sport rides like utter crap. I always thought it was because of the shorter wheel base. But came to the conclusion that it has a lot to do with the glorious monoleaf.

So, do you think it would be worth the money to put 4 door leaf packs in? Has anyone made the swap onto a sport? Did it improve your ride quality?

I was looking at these:
http://thesuspensionking.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_22_97_107&osCsid=ht08oc7dcp2g5nqdutarueo310

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Joey P]

I think that plenty of people did just what you are wanting to do. It's one of the more common swaps around here. My guess is it will stiffen up the rear suspension quite a bit so the ride quality may suffer but the handling should be better because it will be stiffer.

 

[99ex22]

Yeah it will make it handle more like a truck. Most people just go to the junk yard and pull the leaves off of a 4 door.

 

[Mark98]

So it will make the ride even stiffer then?!? I thought it would dampen the bumps more. That monoleaf flexes like a freakin brick! I thought a leaf pack uses softer steel for the springs?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

i did this to my 98 sport. i noticed a difference within the first block! it is a very worth while swap. that and with the added leafs, if you do a lot of towing, or just hauling stuff in the back of the truck, it will handle it much better.

 

[Joey P]

short wheelbase and leaf springs aren't going to net you a Cadillac ride. It just won't be there unless you alter your suspension significantly. My wifes Grand Cherokee rides super nice but it's got coil springs on all 4 corners and that is what I think contributes to the nice ride.

 

[Mark98]

i did this to my 98 sport. i noticed a difference within the first block! it is a very worth while swap. that and with the added leafs, if you do a lot of towing, or just hauling stuff in the back of the truck, it will handle it much better.

So is it much softer ride then? I rode in my dad's 94 explorer, and it felt like a cadilac compared to mine.

Also, I do tow firewood around fall/winter time to help heat my house. So it will benefit me in that area.

Btw, is there any BENEFIT of having a monoleaf?

 

[celly]

Btw, is there any BENEFIT of having a monoleaf?

Probably a slight weight benefit is all I can think of.

 

[Mark98]

Probably a slight weight benefit is all I can think of.

Haha, so in other words, none.

 

[celly]

Haha, so in other words, none.

I think Ford just monoleafs in there to save $$$. If I recall, +01 Sports come with 4-leafs. I used to have a '00 Sport and I replaced my monoleafs with a junkyard set of 4 leafs from a '96 4 door and the sag disappeared immediately. I didn't notice much of a ride change. Face it, the Sport is a truck. It's not cushy.

 

[Mark98]

I think Ford just monoleafs in there to save $$$. If I recall, +01 Sports come with 4-leafs. I used to have a '00 Sport and I replaced my monoleafs with a junkyard set of 4 leafs from a '96 4 door and the sag disappeared immediately. I didn't notice much of a ride change. Face it, the Sport is a truck. It's not cushy.

I understand that, but whenever I have trouble going down back country roads(gravel) I am bouncing all over the place. A 4 door ex is a LOT smoother. Although I don't have the sag from the monoleafs, I'm telling ya, my leafs are hard as rocks. Heck, I don't even think they bend! :

 

[Mark98]

Anyone else do this to their sport? I would like a bit more feedback please

 

[my98nnj]

going down back country roads(gravel) I am bouncing all over the place.

Sounds like you need new shocks to give you back some ride control.
Have they ever been replaced on your truck?
Also what tire pressure are you running? And do you have road tires or all terrain tires?
I have all terrain tires on my 4 door and I feel the bumps in the road. I keep them at around 30 PSI, anything higher and it's like riding on rocks. I run KYB shocks, they keep my ride nicely controlled. On the highway, the thing rides great, but not even close to how my Maxima rides, nor do I expect it to.

 

[Mark98]

Sounds like you need new shocks to give you back some ride control.
Have they ever been replaced on your truck?
Also what tire pressure are you running? And do you have road tires or all terrain tires?
I have all terrain tires on my 4 door and I feel the bumps in the road. I keep them at around 30 PSI, anything higher and it's like riding on rocks. I run KYB shocks, they keep my ride nicely controlled. On the highway, the thing rides great, but not even close to how my Maxima rides, nor do I expect it to.

Brand new shocks (monroe sensatracs in front/monroe loadlevelers in back)all the way around about 2 months ago.(Huge improvement to my old ones) Have all terrain tires run @ 33 psi.

Thing is, my dad has a 4 door with all terrain tires(more aggressive than mine) and worn out shocks and rides sooo much nicer. Could being 6-11 inches longer make that much of a difference? Only other difference is that he has a 4 leaf pack.

 

[celly]

I've owned 3 Sports (a '93, '97 and a '00) and only one 4 door ('99). The 4 door not only rides better, but I find it to be much more nimble on gravel roads. I used to find the 2 door would feel like it would lose traction on backcountry roads, but not so with the 4 door. The longer wheelbase seems to make a world of difference.

 

[Mark98]

I've owned 3 Sports (a '93, '97 and a '00) and only one 4 door ('99). The 4 door not only rides better, but I find it to be much more nimble on gravel roads. I used to find the 2 door would feel like it would lose traction on backcountry roads, but not so with the 4 door. The longer wheelbase seems to make a world of difference.

Yea, my sport feels like it loses traction too. Oh well, I'll just have to deal with it then.

 

[2000StreetRod]

I plan to replace my monoleaf springs (the left sags 1.5 inches compared to the right) with the 3 plus 1 (overload) leaves from thesuspensionking. I asked them about ride height and was assured it would be the same as stock. I believe those who have replaced their monoleafs with the standard 4 leaf springs ended up gaining ride height.

I've never read any rationale for Ford to utilize the monoleaf on the sport. Any possible weight savings is more than offset with the side step bar and the fender flares - both of which I plan to eliminate. The only possible rationale I can imagine is reduced axle windup. The SOHC has almost as much power as the V8 which uses an anti-windup bar. The same advantage could have been achieved by making the second leaf almost as long as the main leaf.

 

[Mark98]

How soon do you plan on replacing your monoleafs? I would appreciate some feedback if you do it in the near future

 

[celly]

I believe those who have replaced their monoleafs with the standard 4 leaf springs ended up gaining ride height.

I didn't with my old '00 Sport and if I did, it was marginal. I was thrilled to get rid of the saggy butt I had with the monoleaf.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Mark98,
It will be at least a month before I replace my monoleafs. Last week I replaced my windshield. This week I'm replacing my tires (they were bald when I bought the vehicle). In the next couple of weeks I'll replace my leaking single row radiator with a double row. I've only driven my Sport 3 times since its purchase.