Hey Mike,
You asked "What would you do". I'd shoot over to a salvage yard & get a nice set of Explorer 8.8 springs that match up with that axle. We paid $125 for the whole thing - I can't imagine they would charge much for a set of Explorer springs.

We are using the Explorer rear set up & have 15K miles on our's. I was a little concerned about carrying capacity, etc. as we wanted to use our truck as a truck. We haven't had any problems with loads - seems to work fine.

Good luck over there.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

My apologies, I though you were implying that I had them and to just use them.

Did you used the explorer spring mount/shackles as well? How much drop did you get from it?

 

Hey Mike,
I don't have great pictures of our rear set up but I'll post what I have.
We weren't trying to get our truck set up "low" or "In the weeds" - I just didn't want too much rake. You'll have to play with your set up to get it like you want.


Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Are those the explorer spring brackets?

It looks good by the way

 

Hey Mike,
Sorry I don't remember what the brackets came from as we did it a couple of times trying different approaches. They could be from a Ranger but you'd have to check.

Are you doing all this work with the weather up in Michigan?

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Its been in the single digits plus windchill so projects have been pretty rough here. At the other garage that my 1969 Mustang is in, it is heated so that one has been getting a bit more attention lol

 

It was COLD today. I finished insulating and drywalling the garge. I went for one last push and took the old axle out of the F1. I tried to save the old parking brake cables but they were a pain in a A$$ so I had to cut them.

Small steps, once again. On the plus side, I did get the garage cleaned up pretty well so the truck is easier to work on.


Are the stock rear axles worth anything? I have the stock front, stock rear, probably going to have all of the leafs to get rid of. I dont want to scrap any of it but I havent had any his on the stuff I have sitting here and I could use the cash

 

I saved my stock front axles for possible gasser use but the rear axles are worth scrap around here. Leafs may be needed by someone with broken springs and wanting to use stock parts, otherwise scrap.

 

So I can only do some much research at work but I have found new reman (Dorman) or OE front and rear Ranger 1983-2003 or 87-97 (depending on listing) for about $20 each.

I figure that would be a heck of a lot easier than fighting with a rusted truck in the scrap yard. Then maybe use the 95-01 Explorer Sport monoleaf or ranger springs.


I found Ranger springs new for about 100 each, so about $280 or so for all new springs and shackles shipped to my door....


I have been dabbling on Car-part.com and everyone is looking at $75/spring which I think is very high for a 10-15yr old used part. Explorer or Ranger are pretty close to reman cost.

Thoughts?

 

These are the ranger hangers I used on truck #2 with S10 springs, got the hangers through rock auto. Used springs are $75 each here in the junkyard, cheaper on craigslist if you can find what you want. I had the S10 springs already so they were free.





Explorer leafs are 57 inches overall, Dakota 56 inches, and ranger is 56 5/8". Anything can be made to work depending on where you put the hangers. Center pin distance is different for all 3.

Here is the explorer spring

1991-2001 Ford Explorer (Spring Under Axle) (4 dr) - Leaf Spring (Rear - 3/1 Leaves) [43-1159] | $127.95 | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts

and the ranger spring, on sale for $65 each!

86-03 Ford Ranger Rear Leaf Spring - 4 Leaves, 1250lbs

 

Thank you for your help!

I got up early before work and purchased the leafs, shackles, front and rear mounts.

Everything should be here within a week or so. In the mean time I can source out some axle/spring plates.

As soon as Monday hits I will be getting back into the fabrication portion of the cradle.

 

I just picked up 2 3/8 thick spring plates for $40 shipped.

I will tell you that building a car and having access to the internet is a game changer. I started building a car over 10 years ago with no internet and it cost me dearly to learn certain things. Forums are a game changer in the auto hobby world!

 

Picked up a tank for doing aluminum. I paid for a 40 CF and we went out back to load it, they were out so he gave me the 80 CF and told me to stop and play the lottery on my way home.

Its 5 degrees today so I will wait a day or 2 before I try to fight the cold in the garage to weld. All of my spring stuff should be here at the end of the week (I work weekends) so I will be tackling the rear next Monday. I will most likely tackle the IFS at the same time.

 

Probably not a good idea to weld chilled aluminum structural elements.

 

I'm going to wait until its warmer out. Its supposed to be in the 30s soon plus I'm borrowing a few heaters so I cab get my garage around 60. I won't be welding it cold, I'll most likely preheat the cradle as well. If all else fails I have another place that's heated I can use.