Explorer coil spring swap

Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels & tires

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Craigerf100
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Explorer coil spring swap

Post by Craigerf100 »

On top is a 66-79 old twin I bean coil spring. On the bottom is a new 91 explorer coil spring. I was told the explorer springs fit our trucks and drop the front 2-3ich while giving a better ride so I heard. So I figured I'd find out.
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The height is 16 3/4 on the old and 13 3/4 on the new. Width is 5 3/8 on the old while the new is 4 3/4. So less then an inch narrower. I wondered how well that would fit the top perch. It looked like the new spring will fit to the I beam well enough.
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Everything fit well, A lot more snug. Rides well, little bumps are less noticeable.

There are some fitment "issues" worth noting.
1: though it tightened down just as well as on oem springs; The spring clamp at the top perch does not line up the spring coil. Other then that no issue. Fits snug in the spring perch lip.
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2: the little spacer the spring sits on at the bottom where it bolts down. The explorer springs fits quit snug with no wiggle room. But settled down on it nicely once finished. NOTE: both the top clamp and bottom bolt will need tightning once your truck is on all 4s.
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NOTE: there are 2 types of spring spacer seats. 66-72 and 73-79. Or more simply cast radios arms or the steal radius arms. In the pic bellow, the top one is for steel and the bottom is for cast. The lip indicates this. The steel fit the explorer springs tighter.
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Went from a tire to fender gap of 5 1/4 stock spring height to a tire to fender gap of 3 3/4 explorer spring height. About a 2" drop. For those of us like me who already are riding With 2 coils cut from stock springs it was less then an inch drop. At $24 (normally $35) This is a good alternative to cutting your springs and waaaay less expensive then buying lowering springs. $35vs$200

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Now I know you're all gonna say "why not just go drop beams" but not all of us can or want to buy those dream beams.
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I also saw no indication to show this swop effecting camber in regards to needing realignment. But it's good practice. I personally do plan to check my steering alignment, even though it drove straight and true.
Last edited by Craigerf100 on Sun May 21, 2017 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
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cheek
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by cheek »

nice, how much travel have you got on the bumpstops?
1970 Ford F100 351C FMX Daily
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Craigerf100
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Craigerf100 »

Still quite a lot. If I think of it I'll measure it today
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
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Craigerf100
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Craigerf100 »

I'm surprised more people aren't interested in this conversion
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Ranchero50 »

A lot more folks read vs post.

I've been looking for a set of springs to pick my front end up a bit. Definitely has the speed racer look even with the 1.5" body lift.
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by arkrider410 »

If you want 2" lower check springs for a ranger splash
Since explore was based on the ranger and the specs are very close
:fr:
low and ugly 72 longbed with a 360 converted to a 401 with performer intake and a 750 double pumper carb 260 cam and headers with a c6 auto and stock 9 inch lowered about 5.5 /7.
Build thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=79488
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Fo-Mo-Co
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Fo-Mo-Co »

So do these springs have a stiffer rate than the truck spring? I actually autocross my f100 and I am looking to reduce body roll.
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Craigerf100
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Craigerf100 »

ill be honest I think they do. but I don't have the numbers for u. they seem stiffer the my old springs but produce a better ride. specially on the highway. I bought these for 2 reasons. better ride and the ability to cut the coils to lower in a few inches after lowering it 2 inches from stock springs. cause lowering springs for these trucks is God offal high.
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
mbarrad
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by mbarrad »

Where did you get the springs for $35?
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Aubrey3 »

Do you have pics of your truck before and after how it sits?
1966 F250 2wd V8 Auto Camper Special Custom Cab
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Craigerf100
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Craigerf100 »

arkrider410 wrote:If you want 2" lower check springs for a ranger splash
Since explore was based on the ranger and the specs are very close
What years?
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
arkrider410
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by arkrider410 »

I checked a 99 ranger springs which is the first year that didn't have split beams but they don't have a pigtails on the bottom of the spring which means it won't work unless you find the plate that goes on the bottom of the spring because the stock won't fit.
The years I'll check the pre 1999 models.but if they have the pigtails it'll work but I'll check and see.
:fr:
low and ugly 72 longbed with a 360 converted to a 401 with performer intake and a 750 double pumper carb 260 cam and headers with a c6 auto and stock 9 inch lowered about 5.5 /7.
Build thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=79488
arkrider410
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by arkrider410 »

I checked a 99 ranger springs which is the first year that didn't have split beams but they don't have a pigtails on the bottom of the spring which means it won't work unless you find the plate that goes on the bottom of the spring because the stock won't fit.
The years I'll check the pre 1999 models.but if they have the pigtails it'll work but I'll check and see.
:fr:
low and ugly 72 longbed with a 360 converted to a 401 with performer intake and a 750 double pumper carb 260 cam and headers with a c6 auto and stock 9 inch lowered about 5.5 /7.
Build thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=79488
arkrider410
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by arkrider410 »

The 92 and back ranger is to small in diameter but the crown Vic from 87 might work I'll have to check after the fourth
:fr:
low and ugly 72 longbed with a 360 converted to a 401 with performer intake and a 750 double pumper carb 260 cam and headers with a c6 auto and stock 9 inch lowered about 5.5 /7.
Build thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=79488
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Craigerf100
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Re: Explorer coil spring swop

Post by Craigerf100 »

Cool
1964 F-100 Custom Cab Short Bed
1968 F-100 Short Bed
1967 Fairlane 500 Convertable
1967 Fairlane GT/A 289ci SOLD
1950 F-1 Original 239ci Flat Head V8 SOLD
1995 f-150 4x4 Swb 4.9L 5-speed FORSALE

My Build: :fr: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a
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