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  #1  
Old 03-15-2015, 07:16 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Questions About Explorer Leaf Swap

Well, I broke a leaf in my stock pack so I thought this would be a good time to upgrade. I've been doing some research on the various forums but I've come up with some conflicting info. I know that leafs from a 95-01 explorer are a direct swap, but what spring code should I be looking for? Do explorers have the varying spring codes like rangers? I'd assume the 4 door XLT/Limited explorers would have the stiffer leaf packs. Also, the info on how much lift I'll get varies greatly. I know amount of lift depends on a lot of factors, but does anyone have a rough estimate? The most popular number from the research I did was 2-2.5" over stock without removing the stock block. And finally, where do you guys recommend getting u-bolts from? I've heard to stay away from the AutoZone brand ones.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:24 PM
jsz20102 jsz20102 is offline
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Done 2 of these swaps now, just did one today on another members truck and my own last year, it seems like using sport trac springs give ou more lift overall but it all depends on your initial setup, are you 3 leaf or 4 stock, I got about 2 inches on my truck with the sport trac leafs and blocks out the truck today got .5 of lift blocks out would really recommend if you are planning on leaving your blocks in that you upgrade your shocks as well

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I bolts we just used the ones from the donor expos
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  #3  
Old 03-15-2015, 07:29 PM
Fx4 Beast Fx4 Beast is offline
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And if you keep your block in you'll have to get +2 shocks. You won't be able to put the block back in otherwise. Basically what Josh said though.
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Last edited by Fx4 Beast; 03-15-2015 at 07:32 PM.
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  #4  
Old 03-15-2015, 08:25 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Questions About Explorer Leaf Swap

Ideally, I'd like to remove the stock block and end up about an inch above where I'm at now. But, I don't think that's gonna happen with just the expo leafs, so I might end up using a lift shackle as well.

Any thoughts on the spring codes for explorers? Do they have varying spring rates? And, I've heard the same thing about the sport trac leafs, but they're pretty rare at the junkyards around here. Four door explorers on the other hand, they seem to breed like rabbits. haha
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Superlifted
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1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #5  
Old 03-15-2015, 08:31 PM
Fx4 Beast Fx4 Beast is offline
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So I put on the expo leafs and 6400s on the 2nd to last setting, and pulled the blocks and got .5 inches out of it.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmyspy View Post
Ideally, I'd like to remove the stock block and end up about an inch above where I'm at now. But, I don't think that's gonna happen with just the expo leafs, so I might end up using a lift shackle as well.

Any thoughts on the spring codes for explorers? Do they have varying spring rates? And, I've heard the same thing about the sport trac leafs, but they're pretty rare at the junkyards around here. Four door explorers on the other hand, they seem to breed like rabbits. haha
You'll have to go with the 6400s on the last setting and you'll be close to an inch above.
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  #6  
Old 03-15-2015, 08:40 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Questions About Explorer Leaf Swap

That's kind of what I'm leaning towards. I really want to get rid of the lift block.
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Superlifted
33x12.5 Duratracs

1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #7  
Old 03-16-2015, 06:14 AM
1991SuperCabXLT 1991SuperCabXLT is offline
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You will have to replace the center pin to flip it. I think that any pack off a 4 door will work.
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  #8  
Old 03-16-2015, 09:23 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1991SuperCabXLT View Post
You will have to replace the center pin to flip it. I think that any pack off a 4 door will work.
After reading more, that seems to be the general consensus. Looks like most of the sports got a mono leaf system and all the four doors/sport tracs got a four leaf pack.
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Superlifted
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1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #9  
Old 03-21-2015, 03:02 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Just for future reference, here's what I ended up goin with:
-leafs from a late 90s v8 4 door expo
-2" drop/lift shackles from autozone
-had local spring shop bend up some ubolts. They ended up being 7 or 8 inches long, with a 2 3/4" diameter arc, out of 1/2" rod. I highly recommend goin this route, as I tried using off the shelf bolts first, with little luck.
-removed stock block

With the expo springs, lift shackles, and removing the stock lift block, I ended up sitting 3-3.5" above where I was. This means I got between 3 and 4" of lift out of the expo leafs. However, my old leafs were pretty beat up, and one pack and a broken leaf in it, so that could be part of the reason why I saw such a large height difference.
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2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, ext. cab, 4.0L v6
Superlifted
33x12.5 Duratracs

1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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