Explorer spring swap
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Pace Florida
Explorer spring swap
Ive been searching in the olds post for as much info as i could find regarding the explorer spring swap,and i just want to make sure when i call the local junk yard i know what im talking about.so pretty much and 91-up 2wd four door exploder will work right??and on the front springs does engine size matter?? what do i need to ask for in the front?? i have a 2wd 90 B2.Then what do i need to do to get the front end alignment back??i dont know crap about i beams!!!i know on control arms your just get caster/camber kit with bolts and washers in it,i beams similar??thanks
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
People normally get the 91-94 Explorer springs. I can't remember what year they quit using coil springs up front for 2- and 4-wheel drive Explorers. Your best bet is to get both coil and leaf springs off the same donor vehicle. Engine size doesn't necessarily matter, as long as the weight distribution and spring capacities are proportionately equal - you want the same percentage 'upgrade' in spring capacity both front and rear for an even amount of lift. Usually, you don't have to worry about alignment afterwards, but if so, you'd have to replace the camber bushings. They are located on the upper ball joint, and can be quite a pain in the a** to change out. Would probably be easier to pay a shop to do it.
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Ouch. You might be better off either buying new or just taking the plunge and installing a lift kit - although on that, I would suggest spending the money for the kits with replacement springs and not blocks or spacers. They say that you need a 4-4 1/2" lift kit for 31s, but I can clear them with the right wheels on mine (I have done the Explorer spring swap). The big thing with larger tires is you want the right backspacing on your wheels. Too much or too little can be bad. I have 3.75" backspacing on mine and I have rubbing issues while turning up front with 30x9.50s on there. Had I just put the tires on the original wheels or gone with the right backspacing, I wouldn't have that issue, but then again, I wouldn't have that smidge of extra stability the wider track I now have gives.
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From: Pace Florida
well kernel i just looked at ur gallery and your truck is SICK perfect ride height,perfect tires,yea im digging it!! my cast wheels stick out almost as much as yours so it looks like im gonna have to run the same size tires you did cause that is PERFECTION!!
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From: IOWA
I'm running 31x10.5's right now with stock suspension! I don't reccommend it, since when I hit bumps or turn the tires rub. I've been looking at the spring swap, should probably do it here soon.
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From: Pace Florida
any advice on shocks??? ive got Monroe Sensatracs on my other B2 and they ride good but with the lift and everything im gonnd do to this one i want something that will compliment the new springs and if i feel like playing off-road they will keep up.i was thinking maybe rancho or pro comp??
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I kept what I had on mine after the spring swap, which was the stock size Monroe SensaTracs. It will be a little stiffer ride, regardless. You may wish to either find some shocks for 2" and less lift (Pro Comps, etc.) or remove your shocks and ramp out all four corners and take measurements both at flat road ride height and full flex. I think the Pro Comps might be your best bet, but there are others out there I've heard good things about - whether or not they make any that fit the BII or not, I have no idea. You'll only get so much flex out of the Explorer springs, so don't try anything too crazy. I will tell you this... once you start playing, you're going to want to lift it a little more and get a better set-up 
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I have 30x9.50s on mine, and because of the 3.75" backspacing on my wheels, I have rubbing sometimes when I turn or go over uneven things too fast. I'd probably do better with the stock wheels on there or a Duff 3.5" suspension lift (I won't do a body lift, other than maybe a 1" hockey puck homebrew lift with all new body mount bushings...).
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Vancouver, Canada
I have done the ford explorer leaf spring swap. I gained about 2 inches in lift with it installed. I grabbed my springs and coils from a 1991-1994 ford explorer. Currently I am running 31x10.5x15 BFG all terrains with only slight rubbing. Be careful because some explorers in those years came with a heavy duty tow package and these explorers have very heavy duty springs. A little too heavy duty for these little broncos. You will be able to tell if an explorer has the tow package because the leaf springs will have a 5th or a 6th extra leaf that is very small and heavy duty. I have run the swap for the last 2 years and I love it. It is amazing for off roading but make sure you get some good socks. Mine blew out because the spring rates were to much for them with the explorer springs installed. Also Originally I had after market offset rims but I had a little to much rubbing. So i purchased some explorer rims and put my 31's on the and I have barely any rubbing at all. i only rub when backing up on an angle and turning when off roading.
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Didn't see if I had mentioned this before: Make SURE you free up, clean, lubricate, and probably replace all your leaf spring bolts and bushing sleeves. I wished I had installed greaseable ones on mine, but that will come with the axle swap. Anyhow, as to my take on this, when I removed my old, weak, sagging springs, come to find out the shackles were not rotating freely on the upper bolts, thus putting more strain on the leaf packs. I had got them freed up fairly well when I did my swap, but did not completely remove those bolts and clean them up like I should have. Ended up having to re-PB-blast/WD-40 them twice since the swap. When I do my axle swap, I am going to install greasable bolts so I don't have to worry about it.
OH, and nice to see your'e still alive, Canadian... long time, no see or speak 
OH, and nice to see your'e still alive, Canadian... long time, no see or speak