- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
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- Macon/Fort Valley, GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
Not posting this in the suspension section, because this is general leaf spring question rather than lifted or lowered and I want it answered as such.
So I've got a 99 Ranger 4x4 that came factory with tow package and "K" code leaf springs. Currently have 32" tires, Explorer "F" code leafs, and "chevy shackles" in place of the factory lift block. Time for new tires and I'm un-lifting the truck and dropping back down close to stock tire size (255/70R16). You might even say I'm lowering it slightly since I'll be going back to Ranger leafs and leaving the factory lift block off, whether or not I'll keep the shackles will depend on tire clearance with new tires.
Going forward the truck will mostly be used as a backup/alternate DD to the car and when I need to do truck stuff. Will occasionally be loaded up for camping, hauling ATV or motorcycle (either in bed or on trailer), or towing another car/Ranger on my 14' flat bed trailer. If I get a small 16-18 foot camper it'll be used to pull that as well, but I'll probably end up with a bigger truck and camper instead. FWIW both my ATV and motorcycle are in the 550-600 lb range.
Anyhow, I will be buying new leafs as most trucks in the local junkyards are nearly as old and worn as my truck and packs from the few later model Rangers are pretty close in price to a new pack. I've got two choices in leaf packs:
4 (3/1) leaf pack with 1250 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781
5 (4/1) leaf pack with 1750 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781HD
Not sure which way to go.
The 5 leaf pack would be a given, but I'm concerned about stiffness. At least with an extra 500 lb capacity per spring I'd think it would be stiffer. On one hand the extra stiffness might be nice for handling, and I freely admit to driving a little more spirited than I should, as well as having the extra load capacity. On the other hand the added stiffness might be rough for a semi-DD.
The 4 spring pack I believe is equivalent to a stock spring, and should have enough capacity for 80% of the time. It'll probably be a nicer ride for a semi-DD than the larger pack. I suppose that I could add helper springs (not AALs) later if needed, but really hate to spend the extra money when I could have gotten the stronger leafs.
Thoughts? Opinions?
So I've got a 99 Ranger 4x4 that came factory with tow package and "K" code leaf springs. Currently have 32" tires, Explorer "F" code leafs, and "chevy shackles" in place of the factory lift block. Time for new tires and I'm un-lifting the truck and dropping back down close to stock tire size (255/70R16). You might even say I'm lowering it slightly since I'll be going back to Ranger leafs and leaving the factory lift block off, whether or not I'll keep the shackles will depend on tire clearance with new tires.
Going forward the truck will mostly be used as a backup/alternate DD to the car and when I need to do truck stuff. Will occasionally be loaded up for camping, hauling ATV or motorcycle (either in bed or on trailer), or towing another car/Ranger on my 14' flat bed trailer. If I get a small 16-18 foot camper it'll be used to pull that as well, but I'll probably end up with a bigger truck and camper instead. FWIW both my ATV and motorcycle are in the 550-600 lb range.
Anyhow, I will be buying new leafs as most trucks in the local junkyards are nearly as old and worn as my truck and packs from the few later model Rangers are pretty close in price to a new pack. I've got two choices in leaf packs:
4 (3/1) leaf pack with 1250 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781
5 (4/1) leaf pack with 1750 lb capacity (per spring) P/N: 43-781HD
Not sure which way to go.
The 5 leaf pack would be a given, but I'm concerned about stiffness. At least with an extra 500 lb capacity per spring I'd think it would be stiffer. On one hand the extra stiffness might be nice for handling, and I freely admit to driving a little more spirited than I should, as well as having the extra load capacity. On the other hand the added stiffness might be rough for a semi-DD.
The 4 spring pack I believe is equivalent to a stock spring, and should have enough capacity for 80% of the time. It'll probably be a nicer ride for a semi-DD than the larger pack. I suppose that I could add helper springs (not AALs) later if needed, but really hate to spend the extra money when I could have gotten the stronger leafs.
Thoughts? Opinions?