I have a 4dr ford explorer with a D44 out of an early bronco. Went with a leaf spring set up and the springs are too soft and are giving me problems. Its a sprung over set up with the shackles in the rear.I figure I need stiffer springs but I'm not sure what I need. I also need to move the axle farther forward because the tires are getting into the rear of the fender. These springs pretty much bottom out whenever i drive it.

Heres what I have now:

Explorer Procomp pt #51423
Flat length: 45.87"
free length: 42.12"
Spring rate: 228 lb/in
width: 2.5"
4 leaves

Looking at these now:

Rancho 44044
Flat length: 47"
Spring rate: 300 lb/in
width: 2.5"
6 leaves

Explorer Procomp pt#51422
Flat length: 46.19"
free length: 42.25"
Spring rate: 330 lb/in
width: 2.5"
5 leaves

The Procomp #51422's are rear lift springs for a CJ. I am a little leary about trying rear springs for the front of the truck again since the first tinme didnt work very well, but these have a much higher spring rate. Should they work? or just go with the ranchos?

Other difference is the price.....procomps are about $75 each while the ranchos are about $135 each.
I am not sure on the big differences in these two. How do I figure exactly what kind of spring rate i need? Is there going to be a huge difference between 300 lb/in and 330?

Which of these would you recommend or is there another set you would recommend?

Please help and please be gentle to the newbie!

go for the rancho springs lots of people have used them successfully on all types of rigs

The Rancho is not a centered pin ... is the stock CJ rear ?
The 44044 would move the axle forward . If price is a concern does Procomp make a waggy lift spring ?

I believe the CJ is center pinned. Wich would mean moving my spring mounts to relocate the axle like I think I need to. With the rancho's like you said they are offset so I could probably get away with using the current locations. So far, I havent been able to find a waggy spring from procomp..most of the sites ive looked at dont list one specifically for it.

Does the CJ spring being made for the rear have a big impact? Or is the spring rate the main factor I need to look at?

just go to a junk yard a get some stock height waggy 7 leaf springs, they will be alot cheaper and should only sit a few inches lower than the 44044s. if this doesnt move your axle forward (if not sure they will they dont on toyota) you could always make/buy some perch relocator plates, or redrill your perches. this is only good for about 1.5" tho-burke