Explorer coil spring swap

[Craigerf100]

Where did you get the springs for $35?

I looked up 91 explorer 4x4 on rock auto and found them on sale. I think the average is $50-60.

[Zorm]

4x4 or 2wd, Front; Heavy Duty; Variable Rate??
Will be rebuilding my front suspension with new I beams, king pins, rotors, bearings, calipers and now, maybe new springs.

[Craigerf100]

4x4 or 2wd, Front; Heavy Duty; Variable Rate??
Will be rebuilding my front suspension with new I beams, king pins, rotors, bearings, calipers and now, maybe new springs.

Simple answer, I selected 1991 4x4 v6.

Some more info: Stick around 1991 explorers cause they changed susupention later on.
I believe the 2 wheel drive coils are variable rate when the 4x4 are progressive rate. Our trucks used progressive rate coil springs I believe. If in wish to try out the variable rate springs u can. They should fit.

What may happen is either an improvement in ride, softer less bumpy. Or a bouncy ride cause our trucks weigh a lot more then the explorers. But you won't know till u try.

[Craigerf100]

I personally am fine with the old truck springs. Though there was an improvement in ride quality with the coil springs. I personally was going for lowering the front with out breaking the bank.

[Zorm]

I too am going for the lower option without braking the bank. Don't want to slam my truck but do want to lower it on all 4 corners and still have the stock rake look. Now to figure how to lower the rear a little, shackle flip or remove some of the spring pack.

[Craigerf100]

I too am going for the lower option without braking the bank. Don't want to slam my truck but do want to lower it on all 4 corners and still have the stock rake look. Now to figure how to lower the rear a little, shackle flip or remove some of the spring pack.

removing some leafs would be the cheapest but I personally don't know how much that would lower it. plus that sounds like a lot of work for little gain.
adding just the rear shackle will drop it up too 2 inches maybe 3 if u can find a 3 inch rear drop shackle. buuut you'll most likely have to shim the axle as to not create bind at the yoke on the drive shaft. this would be the least amount of work.
front and rear shackles would be a lot of work too but best result if youre looking for 3-4 inch drop.
I know squat about axle flips. but anyway thats my

back to the explorer springs, once I installed them and let them settle for a few months I determined that I wanted another inch of drop. so I cut a single coil out of each. and it gave me a little over an inch of tire to fender clearance. which was exactly what I wanted. especially with my big 10 inch wide wheels I have up front. cutting the coils gave it a nice rake up front and evened out that 60s wheel camber closer too 0 degrees.
I also have an addco front swaybar (as well as rear) just fyi. great upgrade I high recommend it. $175ish on ebay.
my trucks ride is the best it ever has been.

oh extra tidd bitt, your will need to get shorter bump stops for thr I beams

[Craigerf100]

[Zorm]

older thread, but just put the coils on. Took a while because I also needed to replace my steering gear, prop valve, brake lines, extra fuel tank, and seal my cowl and air vent area. Oh and new rubber cab mounts. Most of this is way easier with the front suspension off.

see pics
left sid


right side

[colnago]

Zorm,

Your snapfish link just brought up the main snapfish site, not your photos. When I do photos, I try to "size down" my photos to ~150KB or so, then add them as an attachment to my post (the Attachments tab underneath the Submit button).

As for the springs, when I bought my truck, the PO had cut off 3" from the coils, which dropped the front end, but screwed up the camber big time. I think if he kept it under 2", things would have been okay, but since I don't go for the lowered look, I bought new Moog springs, bringing the truck back to its factory height.

Joseph

[Zorm]

fixed, let see how long this "tiny pic" web site hosts my pictures

[Larryb65f100]

If I’m understanding this correctly you guys were able to lower the trucks a couple inches without bending the bars and just swapping the coils? It’s been a while now how is the tire wear and handling since you’ve been running these a while? I’m looking for a low cost alternative to beams. Although I do like the stance of the beams I’m not sure I would be able to get out of my driveway if I go that low.

[Ranchero50]

CV front end is probably the best low cost option for lowering the front end.

[8ton]

I too would like to hear a report on longer term ride and tire wear. Just ordered explorer springs last night. For $30 shipped they are a cheap gamble that is easy to undo.

[Jacksdad]

What would we do without Explorers? They have the springs you guys need, I just pulled a pair of GT40P heads off the Mercury version for a 351W build, and I'm planning on swapping an 8.8 Explorer rear end into my Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Zorm]

Hey Jackstand, I got a 92 351w that I am going to put in my 83 Cherokee, but need to rebuild first. I have been looking at the GT40 head swap also. Would those come off the 5.0's in the Explorers? like 95 and up right?

As far as the springs, my ole girl is not on the road but I have driven her a little bit on the road and I like the springs, may need to look at I beam adjustment, tires are toe'd out a bit.