Hi, I'm looking to do some front end work on 2003 F350, is there any help out there?
Thanks
John

 

Sure, lets start with what type of front end work?

 

I would like to lower the front end by an inch or 2

 

Why? Do you know what code springs are on the front?

 

I'm brand new to this superduty/heavyduty world and am learning a lot from this FTE Forum. Seems the more I learn the less I know lol. I do not know what code springs are? I appreciate your help, where/what should I look at/for?
Thanks
John

 

Sorry I forgot to answer the "why" part. I bought the truck for a specific job and it has a very low overhead clearance that I have to pass under to get into the site. I thought if I could change the rear 4" blocks to 2" blocks and somehow lower the front end an inch or 2, I'd be able to make it into the jobsite and make a buck or 2 with the truck. I'm reading a lot of input from guru's on here about "changing the ride height of the truck affects the drive-shaft and camber". I don't know if it's possible to lower it and, if it is, will there be other things I should also do?
Thanks in advance for any help.
John

 

I would think a spring should would be able to help you. Dunno about chicago, this place is local to here LEAF SPRING SUSPENSION

 

2wd or 4wd?

 

It's an '03 F350SC/LB FX4 6.0L Powerstroke Shift on the fly.

 

4wd makes it easier! Lowering it will not affect camber or toe at all, and as little as you're looking for should not affect caster. In other words, should not require an alignment after done.
On the front, a lower rate spring will let the truck sag more, lowering it. There were quite a number of different front spring rates installed by Ford. A stripped 5.4L would have the softest, whereas a diesel with plow package would have the stiffest (which I believe is the "X" code in Fordspeak).
I'm sure someone else will chime in with other codes...
So the cheapest route may be to hit a junkyard and find a set of leaves from a high mileage really low load capacity 5.4L truck. '99 to '04's 4wd all had leaves in the front.

 

Thanks mwsF250, I spose I'm gonna have to hit up the Ford store and see if I can get a list of leaf springs and hope they can give me weights etc... to determine the amount of sag vs. my current leafs. Not sure I wanna go the bone-yard route as time is money and I may just get em new. I'm going to go with 4 new shocks too, any suggestions? (rears are Rancho 9000's) not sure about fronts, probably stock too. Thanks for all the help.

 

If the goal is to go lower, this is one of those rare cases where used is better! Leaf springs do tend to sag over time. So a brand new set of low rate springs may end up the same height as your current springs...

 

What do your shocks measure bolt center to bolt center and what size tires do ya have?

 

Thanks for help, I was told that the drivers door sticker would tell me what code springs I have. Here again, I'm new to this stuff and do not see or know what to look at. I've included a pic. If anyone can tell help me determine what I have based on this, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
John

 

I'll be able to measure in a little while and will post ASAP. Thanks
And I see your point " used tend to sag" but there don't seem to be too many bone yards in the immediate area that cater to us FTE's .
Mainly cars and smaller trucks. I may have to start looking down Kankakee way(bout 50 miles south of here)