I am curious as to what leaf spring, axel set ups from production Ford trucks will bolt up to a 98 ranger RWD standard cab, flare side. My current rear suspension is all but shot. I had a leaf broken when I got the truck ( wasn't until I noticed a tilt in the bed that it was discovered ) and then not long after the discovery of the first missing leaf, the other side decided to snap. I had to beat it off with a hammer to keep it from rubbing a grove into my tire. Still driving like this because I have no choice. Any thoughts or advice, temp fixes, anything?

Go to the junkyard and get a pair of leaf springs from a Ford Explorer up to 2001. They are a direct bolt in and can give you some lift.

Remember though, Explorers have the leaf springs under the axle instead of over the axle like your Ranger. They will install in the Ranger just fine over the axle, but just something to be aware of so you aren't confused at the junkyard.

I would start at a junkyard. Leafs from any 98 or newer ranger will be a direct swap. Ford used three different "strength" leaf packs or varying stiffness. You can tell which pack your donor truck has by the door jam sticker (hopefully someone will chime in with the spring codes, I can't think of them off the top of my head).


If you're looking for any lift, you can also mix what's left of your current leaf pack with leafs from an explorer pack, thus creating a bastard pack. There's a how to for this on here.

__________________

Ok so the leaves are attached to the underside of the axel on the explorer, and if I take them off I'm sure to get extra lift since mine bolt to the top. If I took the whole reaer axel/spring assy, could I not get the support of the beefier springs without the lift? Are there any significant differences that would make this overly difficult?

you're not gonna get a ton of lift from it. Possibly 1/2 to 1", the actual leaf spring mounts different on the explorer, bottom of the frame rail versus on the side of the frame rail on the ranger. Other than fighting the bolts out, shouldn't be many problems to run into. Plan on fighting the bolts...... Always seems my luck anyway.

__________________
99 xlt, 5.0, torsion bars cranked, 4" body lift, 33" Goodyear Duratracs, 15x10 American racing 5 spoke rims, 2004 ranger edge seats, buggman LEDs in dash, Aussie locker in front, 8.8 with discs and mini spool in rear, blue led underglow.

I'm not sure what you mean.. Are you saying taking the whole leaf/axle set up from the explorer? If so, it wouldn't be a direct swap, and it would lower your truck, due to the explorer leafs mounting under the axle and the ranger leaves mounting on top. If you want added stiffness without the lift, you could just go with the stiffest ranger springs.

__________________

Yea, it's not gonna be a 4" lift or anything. You're just going to get enough lift to put the back of the truck where it was stock.

The problem with Ranger springs is that they're probably all worn out. People treat Rangers like F150's and they aren't.

If you want beefy Explorer leaves, get some from an Explorer with a 5.0 V8 like I did.

the springs are a direct swap to your current axle. instead of putting them under the axle just put them in on top of the axle. ---------- for the axle setup to work in your truck you would have to move the spring perches from the bottom to the top and weld on new shock mounts

__________________
99 xlt, 5.0, torsion bars cranked, 4" body lift, 33" Goodyear Duratracs, 15x10 American racing 5 spoke rims, 2004 ranger edge seats, buggman LEDs in dash, Aussie locker in front, 8.8 with discs and mini spool in rear, blue led underglow.

My bad, I thought he meant swap both the springs and axle for springs/axle from an exploder.

__________________

no, literally just the springs. He was just warning you that the explorer springs mount under the axle so you don't get worried they won't work or get confused.

__________________
99 xlt, 5.0, torsion bars cranked, 4" body lift, 33" Goodyear Duratracs, 15x10 American racing 5 spoke rims, 2004 ranger edge seats, buggman LEDs in dash, Aussie locker in front, 8.8 with discs and mini spool in rear, blue led underglow.

I thought the op asked about swapping axle and springs at the same time, which is why I said that wouldn't be a direct bolt up. But I must've misunderstood him. Therefore, I withdraw my opposition. Haha

__________________

Thanks for the answers everyone, very helpful info.

What would I do? Screw the junkyard for one thing, likely more hassle than worth. Go to a spring shop, get NEW leafs, Ubolts, centre bolts, and clamps. Take the truck home, and replace leafs. Less hassle, cleaner job, and probably not at much more cost.
Your already going to run into rusted fasteners on your existing truck, why bother with the rusted up stuff at a jy? New parts are ALWAYS better, plus less screwing around.

__________________
'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

Yeah, that's kind of where I'm leaning toward. It really isn't much more, and it needs to be done to last.

There ya go, do it right, do it once. And have that peace of mind.

__________________
'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!