Explorer leaf spring swap - quick question

[Ivy Mike]

There is a set of leaf springs from a 99 Explorer on Craigslist here and I just need to know if they will fit a Bronco II.

I know earlier ones will from reading the writeup in the tech library but it doesn't mention later years.

Anyone have a guess (or maybe a tape measure to shoot a measurement )

 

[spdcrazy]

i believe the b2 and early'er explorer springs are 56in eye to eye.

if they are a killer deal i'd grab them. their width should be the same. so even if you cant straight swap them, you can take a few leafs outta the explorer pack and add them to your b2 pack...

 

[Ivy Mike]

i believe the b2 and early'er explorer springs are 56in eye to eye.

if they are a killer deal i'd grab them. their width should be the same. so even if you cant straight swap them, you can take a few leafs outta the explorer pack and add them to your b2 pack...

The springs are $40. I'm a little hesitant to start making a frankenstein spring pack simply because the B2 springs are shot. The poor old fella sags in the back and lists to the left.

 

[disciplerocks]

Thats not that bad since they are off the truck. The salvage yard wanted 75 a piece for them here. I just went to the pull a part and got them for 10 a piece, but it took me a few hours to take them off. So 40 is not bad at all.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Thats not that bad since they are off the truck. The salvage yard wanted 75 a piece for them here. I just went to the pull a part and got them for 10 a piece, but it took me a few hours to take them off. So 40 is not bad at all.

Not bad as long as they fit.

 

[4x4junkie]

They'll fit perfect once you turn the centerpin bolts over. :icon_thumby:
Expect between 1-2" lift from them (more if your current springs are shot to hell).

 

[spdcrazy]

oh ya, forgot to mention bout the center bolt. sometimes they are a PIA too. but its easy to grind them off, and replace for just a couple bucks.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Yeah I was already planning on stopping at harbor freight for some new grinding wheels. Knowing my luck, the trip to HF will cost more than the springs.

 

[eclipse2001gt]

I am putting 97 explorer EB springs on my 87 B2. If that helps you out any. I paid 135 for them since i had them shipped to me. other wise they would have only been 40 bucks but shipping was 97 bucks for the two.
Just go out and measure the springs on your b2 and then ask the person that is selling them to measure the springs they are selling to find out if they will fit your b2.

 

[disciplerocks]

Yeah I forgot about the center bolt too, but lucky for me they were rusted enough that they fit without having to flip it.

 

[b2rich]

Yeah I forgot about the center bolt too, but lucky for me they were rusted enough that they fit without having to flip it.

:icon_confused:
if they are that rusted i personally would not trust the nut to fit the center hole in the pad to center them. i would just do it right and grind and flip. or maybe i read your post wrong. there is always that possibility.

 

[disciplerocks]

Lol I did'nt mean the strength was going to be an area of concern. I meant that the bolt head no longer looks like a bolt head, its been rounded off.

 

[Mudhound]

Or you could enlarge the hole in the spring pad on the axle, just a little bit. Did mine that on my BII, as it is not going back to the factory springs, EVER. And, since I do tend to break leaf springs a bit often, this way, I don't have to screw with flipping the center pin constantly. Just thinking out loud...

 

[adsm08]

Yeah I was already planning on stopping at harbor freight for some new grinding wheels. Knowing my luck, the trip to HF will cost more than the springs.

Is that your "luck" or you "impulse control"?

 

[Ivy Mike]

Is that your "luck" or you "impulse control"?

turns out the springs were in such nice shape that no trip to HF was needed.

but yeah impulse control is probably a better term.

 

[Ivy Mike]

looks like they should be pretty close to bolting right in. Even got the Explorer shackles with the springs and the shackles appear to be slightly longer than the BII units.

I'll see about doing the swap one night next week. Just need to grab some new u-bolts from the auto parts store.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Just a bit of info for everyone.

The springs fit perfectly. Direct bolt in.
The Explorer shackles do not. They are too wide at the top. Shame too as they are longer than the stock B2 units.

I'll report back on ride quality as soon as I get the driver side done. The front hangar bolt is stuck something fierce.