I have the frame stripped and painted and am ready to assemble. I have a Heidt front end suspension ordered and plan on the 351W w/AOD transmission. The rear axle is a 1997 Explorer 8.8. Otherwise the cab,box & fenders etc. will be original. I don't want this to ride like a lumber wagon. I have the original rear springs. What are the thoughts of removing a couple leafs or a different spring that would match up with the shackles and so on. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have the Posies in the rear, they drop it 3" from stock & ride nicely.

 

When I installed my 8.8 in my F1, I used a TCI bolt in leaf spring kit. It lowered the rear 4". The spring mounts on the axle will have to be cut off and moved as they aren't in the correct position. The frame mounts are removed and replaced with the mounts in the kit. My springs were cracked badly so all new was in order. It won't ever haul heavy loads again so I went with the TCI kit for a (hopefully) better ride. There's another thread going right now about 8.8's in F1's, check it out.

 

That's good to hear. I've been stronly considering Posie's on all four corners of the merc. Did you use their fronts, too? Their catalog says 2" drop front and 3" rear. Is this what you experienced?