exporer leaf spring codes?
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exporer leaf spring codes?
While searching for some explorer leafs to replace the stocks on my 90 bii, was asked by a dealer what spring codes I needed for the explorer springs. He said that the leaf springs have 3 codes... U, V, and W. I dont know what the difference is, just want them to fit. Anyone know about this that can help? Thanks in advance.
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I can't remember what code leafs I put under my '87, but I swapped both the coil and leaf springs from an Explorer (actually two different Explorers, the rears came out of a '97 and the fronts came out of a similar GVWR earlier model - I got all these parts from a salvage yard vice paying a stealership high dollar and spent around $50 total) into mine to correct the weak and sagging rear leafs. I think I used the highest weight rated leafs on mine, but again, do not remember what code they were - but I believe they were 4-leaf 1100# packs out of a '97. If you are looking to correct rear sag, you will want both the coils and leafs, or 2" spacers or 2" lift coils for your front to level the ride out. Removing your rear leaf springs can be a pain, took half a can of PB blaster and a 3/4" drive impact to get the rear spring bolts out on mine. You may also want to check the upper shackle bolts and free them up so the shackle rotates freely, which I ended up doing after the leaf springs were installed. Hope this helps some.
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Thanks for the info. Already have the suspension on the front done. I didn't realize how bad the back was sagging until I loaded it up with some camping gear this summer. And so you didn't misunderstand my first post... I wasn't referring to an actual "dealership" that I was talking to. It was actually an online salvage yard site that has some explorer springs for about 35-50$ a side. But they are inventoried and stocked by the code letters, hence why he needed to know which code leafs I needed. Not as many bone yards with older truck parts around here anymore, with the scrap prices so high and such, so I dont want to drive 75-100 miles unless I know I am getting what I want. The yard I get occasional bII parts from is a 45 min drive, and he is down to his last bronco II. All others went to the crusher. The explore springs are still pretty easy to come by, but is still quite a drive. Thanks again and let my know if you find out anything about these codes OR if they even matter.
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I've been trying to find some definite information on what code is for what. From what it looks like, going by the info on car-part.com, code U is the 4-leaf V-6 rear spring, code V is the 3-leaf spring, and code W is the 4-leaf V-8 spring (which is what I think I put in mine, which may be a 1250 lb. capacity or more, not 1100 - I think whatever vehicle I pulled mine from had a 2400 or 2500, maybe even 3000 lb rear axle GVWR). I have been looking, but unless I register on TRS, I don't think searching there would be beneficial to me (didn't find jack squat doing their Googlized search). Same goes for explorerforum.com. Can they tell you what the rating capacity is by code? That would make things much simpler....
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While searching for some explorer leafs to replace the stocks on my 90 bii, was asked by a dealer what spring codes I needed for the explorer springs. He said that the leaf springs have 3 codes... U, V, and W. I dont know what the difference is, just want them to fit. Anyone know about this that can help? Thanks in advance.
There were no V8 Explorers offered for these years.
1995/96, there are four codes: F, H, L, W. The W is the same spring used 1991/94 (F1TZ5560C).
1997/99: F, H, L.
2000: F, H, L, U.
At one time, Ford listed the load rates next to the spring part numbers, but that's not the case now.
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Appreciate your response, but am still getting confusing info on the codes. I know what the code letters are for the 91-94 exp are..but need to know the difference so that I can have my seller select the right part I want before I make a 75 mile drive to find out I dont know what I'm talking about. If one is a 4 leaf and another is 3, I will go with the 4,etc...as long as they all bolt up. Just want to know the 3 differences so that I get the best application for lifting my saggers back to stock,, and maybe an inch or 2 more to accomodate my loads/camping gear, etc. Thanks again.
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I don't know the difference between the three, but then again I doubt the salvage yard would. I cant remember, but one may be the monoleaf spring. I got a set with four leaves and they helped a bunch. I had the guys at the salvage yard and actually put eyes on the part to verify.
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Sites like generalspringkc and others used to list what years and what code(s) their OEM replacement stuff was, and car-part.com used to list what the capacity was for each code, and like ND said, his resources used to list all that too. If the salvage yard can't match a spring code with a spring capacity, I don't know what to tell you. If they're listing their parts by the code, they should have at one time had access to the door placard and VIN, which should give them an idea of what the springs are rated at. I think mine might have been W-coded springs, rated at 1250 lbs per spring pack, and they may have come off a '96, not a '97. It's been a couple of years or so since I did my swap.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Appreciate your response, but am still getting confusing info on the codes. I know what the code letters are for the 91-94 exp are..but need to know the difference so that I can have my seller select the right part I want before I make a 75 mile drive to find out I dont know what I'm talking about. If one is a 4 leaf and another is 3, I will go with the 4,etc...as long as they all bolt up. Just want to know the 3 differences so that I get the best application for lifting my saggers back to stock,, and maybe an inch or 2 more to accomodate my loads/camping gear, etc. Thanks again.
For some unknown reason, when Ford went to spring codes, all that other stuff ceased.
Now...the only thing that's listed in the parts catalogs are the spring part numbers and the corresponding codes.
1991/94 Explorer Rear Springs:
Code U = F1TZ5560A
MSRP each: $335.30 // FTEpartsguy.com price each: $281.65
------------------------------------------------------------
Code V = F1TZ5560B
MSRP each: $141.86 // FTEpartsguy.com price each: $119.16
------------------------------------------------------------
Code W = F1TZ5560C / Obsolete = Not serviced, not replaced.
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