Hey guys, back with another question. I know the payload of my ranger is only around 1,000 pounds but I'm in dire need of a little bit more suspension strength in the box . I'm a lone Ford Truck guy at my school and have had a few comment on the "sag" in my rear from putting on some weight on the end. Whether it be some guys sitting in the box or tossing some stuff in it.

Another question is what exactly is "adding a leaf". I know how leaf springs work and everything but does it truly mean adding another leaf to the suspension and if so how would I go about doing this? I have plans in the future to lift it about 6 inches so whatever I do I want to be able to accomodate for the lift . Thanks a bunch!

 

Stronger rear springs are going to make your *** end bounce around like crazy on bumps. Add-a-leaf kits do work, but IMO they are very unattractive. Personally, I'd just keep it the way it is until you lift it. The lift should at least take care of some sag. And damn! You sure use a lot of smilies.

 

wont explorer springs help that without making the ride too bad?

 

ive got some aftermarket coil helpers on mine, once the rear end drops 2" the frame is riding on the helpers. they go between the frame and the axle housing, circling the bumpstop. i did have to torch off the snubber on the factory lift block because it was in the way. put a short peice of pipe inside the coil spring with a end cap to act as a bump stop for the suspension. i got these at a farm & fleet farm store some time ago (when i had my 1st ranger) but i have seen them in a j.c. whitney catolog recently. the best thing is, they dont come into play unless you have a load big enough to compress the stock springs down 2" (about 300 pds) so it still has a nice ride. on my 2wd it rode on the helpers all the time and was a rough ride unless you were loaded. i think they cost me around 20-30 bucks-not really shure. wish i could post some pictures of this in my gallery, but the kodak photo program was giving us problems and was taken off.

 

What can I say. I like reading things that sorta spark your interest. Plus those danged things look awesome

I looked at some coil helpers today after school. I think I'm just going to wait for the lift and get some after that. I talked to a guy and he said that if I went with a smaller lift (about 3 inches) that I could fit some coil helpers from a f-150 under it.

Thanks for the responses!

 

check out www.timbren.com I put a set in the rear of my 99 B4000, what a difference, I've had over 3000 lbs in the little truck, no problem. Little bit harsh over rough railway tracks but other than that no ride difference. My cost was around 200 dollars Canadian. good luck with it.

 

Go to your local junkyard find a 4x4 4 door Explorer and get the springs .the only thing you have to do is turn the center bolt over on the Explorer springs,they bolt right up.Oh ya get the rear spring bolts from the Expolrer youll need them to.This will level your truck {might give it a front down some}but you will still have a good ride.

 

how do add-a-leafs look unatractive? you cant even tell mine are there. I put one in to lift my truck a little bit, and also some helper springs, the thing rides level with my 750 lb sportsman in the back. no more saggy saggy for me. plus, i'm young, so i really dont care , and a truck is supposed to ride like a truck, not a caddy or somthing.

But yes, it does roughen the ride a bit. I just guess i really dont mind, or notice for that matter when i'm driving. I can really only tell if i pay attention and feel for it.