I ordered a set of FR34 leaf springs to replace my flat factory leaf springs on my 2011 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0. However, when placing a caliper on the front most leaf spring bolts they appear to be larger than the rear.

Can I just replace the bolt or should the hanger be replaced? If the latter, then I'm just going to throw blocks under it.

Let me know what you guys have ran into.

 

Ideally you find bushings with the correct diameter ( or drill out the existing one in the new springs)

Next option is to install a smaller bolt
With washers that are the correct diameter then weld the washer too the hanger effectively making it a smaller diameter hole.

If you search there are plenty of threads on this topic and I'm sure someone has good Pictures.

 

Searching doesnt always yield the desired results because people refer to things by different names. I did happen to stumble across the guy welding the washers after I posted this though....

I did happen to think of replacing the bushing this morning, just need to track down the correct ones...

 

BTW Thanks for your response.

 

No problem Good luck finding a solution, don't give up quality springs are well worth it.

 

question, getting my parts together to swap into explorer springs
what is the width of the u bolts? having a hard time getting a consistent measurement.
can the stock shocks still be used?

I did have to order new bushings, thanks to the person that posted the stock number for these

 

I had a set made. They were 7 or 8 inches long, with a 2 3/4" diameter arc, out of 1/2" rod. That was for no lift block between the spring and the axel.

I ran my stock shocks for awhile after the swap, but they were definitely topping out. I swapped to expo springs, removed the lift block, and did lift shackles though.

 

great info, thanks for the help
my diameter is definitely 7/16, guess it would be easy enough to drill out the plate if I need to, depending on the diameter I can find
2002 4x4 xlt 4 door

hoping to have everything together to tackle this next weekend

 

I didn't have to drill out the plate. There was enough play in the holes.

Start soaking the hanger/shackle bolts in penetrating oil this week. Mine were a pain in the *** to get out.

 

thanks to jimmyspy for his help
this is what I found when I did mine
I did a broken side(left) about a month ago, I did the right side today

1) I asked junk yard for leaf springs to fit a 2001 4 door explorer (80.00 per pair), junk yard pulled these, I don't know what they came off from

2) I did order new bushings only needed to use one of them 55.00 for the set of 4....sorry I lost the sizes I bought, but, I found the info on this site,,FYI, the explorer springs on the big eye end has two holes in them, this is not worn out as I thought, but, is made that way.

3) u-bolts set of 4 I paid 50.00....needed round shape, diameter of 1/2 does fit in the plate(originals were 7/16), I removed the riser block, so I needed 7" length , originals were too long, width needed is 2 3/4"

4) I could keep the stock shocks with riser block removed(riser block almost just falls out once spring pressure is off them)
once the riser block is out, there still is an alignment hole as well as an alignment pin on the replacement springs


5)the eye bolts come out with a lot of work 4 hours off and on for the left side, 3 hours off and on for the right side

6) my end results left side before measured to the bottom of wheel well 34 1/4 " after 34 3/4" this was the side with the broken spring

right side before 35 1/4" right side after 34 1/4"

I don't know if I would leave the riser block in or not, but, maybe these measurements I ended up with may help someone else decide

the poster with the pics did a great job showing the steps, was very helpful

I got about 180.00 into the job you most likely will not need any new bushings, at least for sure all 4 like I bought, which I only replaced one

I cannot give you any ride info, since I only rode 3 miles to get home with in town driving