He doesn't spec what bumpers he has but if it is a typical fabricated style bumper that is what, maybe 500 pounds, 8' plow runs 800 pounds , so I would argue 1200 additional pounds on the nose of the Ex warrants a swap to different spring rates.

Put it this way, a 7.3 diesel motor weighs about 1200 pounds. I think we can all agree the addition of a 7.3 engine on your grill is going to take more then some spacers to achieve the ride quality you expect.

 

I did consider removing the extra leafs from the B rear springs but they work great the way they are now. The Bumpers Front and rear are Roadrhino very similar to road armor bumbers. With the winch I say they are under 300 lb. Two guys can pick it up. All the comments really help me figure out what I'm gonna do.

 

Well said.

PS: After I thought about it, I was not 100% truthful.
I run bump stops on my shocks & love them.

 

300 with the winch is probably close to accurate.

 

With the current set up the truck does not bottom out on the bump stop. I have not noticed it bottoming out with the plow attached. It still has room between the axle and stop with the plow attached. I usually have 600-700lbs salt in the back as ballast.

 

How about firestone air bags? I don't have a plow on my Ex, but it came with air bags. Each bag has its own inflation valve, I get a couple inches of lift with it at 20psi.

 

I would just install a 2" drop bracket kit. That'll give you the height without killing the ride. Cary at CT Performance (one of the originators of the V/modified B idea) has the drop bracket as part of the original 'kit'. It matches the front height to the modded B springs.

You can decide to leave or remove the 3rd leaf afterwards.

 

Was gonna call them next week.

 

With his years working on Excursion suspensions, he is The Man; seen and heard it all I believe. He'll get you squared away. Tell him ya heard about him here!

 

Has anyone found just the front drop brackets? I have "lift shackles" already but I'm looking around for the drop brackets.

ithaca, did you have any success? I bought lift shackles off ebay a few years ago and they worked great. They say something like 2" lift but that doesn't mean they are 2" long, they are much longer than the factory shackles. You'll need longer swaybar endlinks too if you don't have them already.

 

Call Cary Home
at CT Performance!

 

These guys have great stuff too:Individual Components and Upgrades

 

Thanks for the tip. I had a very confusing conversation with him, part of it was my fault, but they don't offer just the hangers.

He said he'd never heard of anyone using lift shackles.

 

Thanks, I stumbled across them yesterday. Among other things, they have some pretty cool lift blocks.

For some reason, it's very hard to find just the drop hangers. People sell shackles and hangers but not just hangers. Might be time to break out the welder...