Dude he will save you a ton of cash, my ranger had 3 of its shackles rusted
out. Instead of getting 3 shackle kits and doing it myself and spending
maybe a max of 140-150 bucks. My mom said no you’re not a mechanic and took
it to a spring replacement warehouse (because my mechanic doesn’t do that.)
It in the end costed my mom 600 dollars. Biggest rip off besides my new oil
pan. Which costed my parents another 500 dollars because they needed to
drop my tranny in the process.
Did you jack the vehicle up by the suspension or frame? I just used a
sawz-all and it took about 4-5 blades to get the job done. It’s not easy
and takes some time. It also helped to use a pry bar and pry the mount away
from the frame a little bit so you are able to get to the bolts easier to
cut them.
Very informative. I looked this up because the bracket on my 97 just did
the same thing. Very helpful. Especially the part about installing the
shackle to the bracket before installing it to the frame. That saves me a
huge headache. I probably wouldn’t have thought that through until it was
too late.
You may have just saved me some money. I also have a 2001 ranger and I had
the same thing happen to my truck (also from Michigan). Thank-you for the
video. I will let you know how it goes.
Keep at it. It’ll get done eventually. Not sure what you mean by the spring
being embedded into the frame… They aren’t supposed to line up. The
spring should be outside the frame.
Also the actual spring shackle is embedded into the bed of my truck and I
can’t get the leaf spring to be relaxed to get it out. How do I loosen the
leaf spring in order to get it to be flexible like yours?
Assuming the bushings would stay like they are when they are new then you
are correct, they would just slide out. However 13 years of Michigan roads
have made them as hard as concrete.
Having a problem getting the 4 rivets off the frame. Don’t have an air
hammer and tried an electric saw. What’s the best way of removing the
rivets off of the frame to get the leaf spring hanger out?
Bought a grinder…removed the first 2 in 10 minutes…also have a grinder
now..cheaper than the $600 that others would charge to do this. Still have
to learn how to jack up the vehicle to make the spring unattach from my bed
but I’m working on getting the rivets off the truck first seeing that the
shackle is fully detached on both sides
That rust below that hole on the frame is a scary thing have, I would get
plate of steel made to weld on the inside of the frame where that rust hole
is.
The bed is fairly simple to remove. Just don’t forget to disconnect your
fuel fill neck and your tail lights. Didn’t have many problems at all doing
it this way though.
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The rust belt strikes again.
Where do you live in mich? I’m here in lapeer.
Does this lift up the truck a little?
No. Only if you buy lift shackles that are longer.
I know what you mean. I plan on purchasing another truck soon. Probably an
F-150
The only thing I kinda don’t get is burning the bushing with the torch.. It
just seems like that would just slide out. I know im missing something lol
I haven’t tackled this project yet but I know for sure I will be taking off
the bed
Great vid I will be doing this to my 94 explorer
Dude he will save you a ton of cash, my ranger had 3 of its shackles rusted
out. Instead of getting 3 shackle kits and doing it myself and spending
maybe a max of 140-150 bucks. My mom said no you’re not a mechanic and took
it to a spring replacement warehouse (because my mechanic doesn’t do that.)
It in the end costed my mom 600 dollars. Biggest rip off besides my new oil
pan. Which costed my parents another 500 dollars because they needed to
drop my tranny in the process.
Did you jack the vehicle up by the suspension or frame? I just used a
sawz-all and it took about 4-5 blades to get the job done. It’s not easy
and takes some time. It also helped to use a pry bar and pry the mount away
from the frame a little bit so you are able to get to the bolts easier to
cut them.
Very informative. I looked this up because the bracket on my 97 just did
the same thing. Very helpful. Especially the part about installing the
shackle to the bracket before installing it to the frame. That saves me a
huge headache. I probably wouldn’t have thought that through until it was
too late.
Glad I could help out 🙂
Glad you like the vid 🙂
You may have just saved me some money. I also have a 2001 ranger and I had
the same thing happen to my truck (also from Michigan). Thank-you for the
video. I will let you know how it goes.
My only worry is breaking a bed bolt. I’ve heard a few guys saying they
broke them
Keep at it. It’ll get done eventually. Not sure what you mean by the spring
being embedded into the frame… They aren’t supposed to line up. The
spring should be outside the frame.
jacked it up by the suspension
Also the actual spring shackle is embedded into the bed of my truck and I
can’t get the leaf spring to be relaxed to get it out. How do I loosen the
leaf spring in order to get it to be flexible like yours?
nice im doing this now great video
Assuming the bushings would stay like they are when they are new then you
are correct, they would just slide out. However 13 years of Michigan roads
have made them as hard as concrete.
Having a problem getting the 4 rivets off the frame. Don’t have an air
hammer and tried an electric saw. What’s the best way of removing the
rivets off of the frame to get the leaf spring hanger out?
Bought a grinder…removed the first 2 in 10 minutes…also have a grinder
now..cheaper than the $600 that others would charge to do this. Still have
to learn how to jack up the vehicle to make the spring unattach from my bed
but I’m working on getting the rivets off the truck first seeing that the
shackle is fully detached on both sides
That rust below that hole on the frame is a scary thing have, I would get
plate of steel made to weld on the inside of the frame where that rust hole
is.
Glad I could help. It’s good stuff to know how to do.
Cool man! Thanks 🙂
South of Detroit.
@eric…grind it off, punch it out, drill into it, penetrating oil
the bushing came out my truck but the outer metal part that holds the
rubber and the metal sleeve is still in the spring
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
🙂 Thanks for the feedback.
The bed is fairly simple to remove. Just don’t forget to disconnect your
fuel fill neck and your tail lights. Didn’t have many problems at all doing
it this way though.
where in mi
I think you are the closest subscribed YouTubeer to me lol. (I live in
Illinois) also nice video.