Adding a leaf spring to Ranger, how tough?

yeah smaller loads. Rancho has add a leaf kits designed to raise the truck, not increase load capacity. They can be a real bear to install and don't forget the shocks will now be too short. The real issue is your exceeding the load capacity of your truck, Its not just the springs, its the brakes, the suspension mount points, the rear axle housing, the axles them selves, and bearings, even the bed and the frame. Just because it fits in the bed doesn't mean the truck can carry it. On average a yard of fill weighs 1.5 tons., that's 3,000 pounds. Your truck at best has a 1,500 pound payload, and that includes your weight, and any other stuff you have in the truck before the first shovel full goes in the bed.

Whitelightning

Even with an add-a-leaf, it would still be dangerous to drive. Figure a working payload of 1,000lbs plus you and your stuff. That's not even half a yard of dirt. You'd break the spring eyebolts, driveline, wheel bearings, tires, etc. Brakes will be overstressed, meaning you would rearend somebody at a stoplight.

The only simple solutions are take smaller loads, or get a bigger truck. Or, how about a trailer with electric brakes (you'll have to install a brake controller on it). Never exceed the GCWR of the truck/trailer combination. Locate the GVWR on the VIN sticker on your truck.

If you decide to go the helper spring route, please let us know where you are located so we can avoid driving where you live, hence avoiding your plowing into us with an overloaded rig.

Whitelightning:

Thanks for the info. Where do you find the payload? I can't find any such number in any of the documentation.

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 21:44:28 +0000, Mac Cool rearranged some electrons to form:

The GVWR should be in the owner's manual. To know what your maximum payload is, you need to weigh the truck empty, and subtract that number from the GVWR.

Also pay attention to the axle ratings, they can be found on the compliance sticker on the door post.

David M:

very good, thanks.

Mac, I'm thinking of doing a similar thing with my Ranger, and '83 with a diesel I use to haul work stuff around. I had a pallet lift drop ten bundles of 3 in 1 shingles in the bed and in sunk lower than I would have liked.

The sad fact is that springs sag with use and age. Your truck is 13 years old (if you still own it) which is a while for in which to use and abuse the suspension. Mine is a further 10 years aged still and it's time to do someting about the leaf spring. In the front are extra beefy springs which came with diesels and they are fine.

One resolution I have seen done many time before is to add a helper spring, a single leaf, to the bundle. This is an alternative to replacing the spring bundles or having a spring shop do it for you. I'm hoping there is enough extra thread on the u-bults securing the axle to the bundle to allow the addition of a helper spring. If there isn't, on leaf in the bundle can be replaced.

Make sure your brakes are working well if you continue to load it down. Many of the ranger/explorer/aerostars came with the 7" rear end and drum brakes, but it is possible swap in 8" with disk brakes from exceptional explorers or just the beefier rear assemblies from rangers and aerostars (still drum).

vernon