Hey Misky, I really appreciate the info. I'm glad you saw my post. Me being a new member, learning the mechancs of the site, and responding to an older thread........... well, wasn't sure if anybody would see my post. I can say I've studied a few of yours too. The code info is a little difficult to chase down, and as you advised, its also changed.

The Z's seem to meet most members needs but at this point in my research, I want to know the "whats" and "whys" behind the decisions. I don't know the weight differences in the engines, the diesels in particular, but I know Ford was a little overly concerned with providing a smooth ride resulting in sag.

Thanks again for the info.

 

With 280,000 on the clock my springs are shot and I cant hook up my camper...
Looking at picking up used f350 coils and leafs, what range of years can I work with?
Up front the OP got shy of 1" and another got almost 3"! Anybody else measure before and after?
I'm on stock 245/75r16 and measure @ 34.5" front and 36" rear
Not looking for a bunch of lift, just level and off the bumpstops towing

 

It seems the 99-06 (and probably up to '10) coil springs are physically interchangeable, on the '05 sds i have looked at and my coils the mounting tab and dimensions are the same. The coil itself has slightly different thickness year to year and bases on spring rates. Your actual lift depends on how much yours have sagged and the year + spring code you install.

I'm leaning towards '05 y-codes since i've found a few who say the z-code in their pickup (camper pkg, cc w/6l) is harsh.

All my info is from online resources (fordfleet) and fte. I have checked out about a dozen f250 2wd crewcabs with the 6l at local auto lots too.

 

Picked up some coils and leafs from a guy parting an 05 f350
Started up front and these coils had a different end...
It worked on the top but just couldn't use the spring retainer.
These monsters raised the front so much the shock fully extended was still an inch short of the peg.
Not what I was looking for so off they came, if you are looking for a bunch of lift thats the ticket!

Rears I played with a bit, ended up with no blocks and replaced the bottom slapper bar with the two bottom leafs off EX's pack.
Sitting just over 38" in back now so just over 2", we'll see how it does with the camper

 

Lets see some pics!!!

 

I'm looking to restore/improve the ride of my 2001 Ex w/7.3. I bought the rig a little over a year ago, and with 250k miles, it feels like the springs are completely shot.

I was considering the 6" lift, but after reading this thread I think I'd rather go this route. I don't really want the lift, I just want to improve the ride. So would the Z codes with a RAS system in the back make a substantial difference?

 

Measure your fender lip to center of axle and you will know if your springs are sagged. But aside from sagged springs your ride is horrible or as you say " completely shot" because your shocks are worn out not your springs.

Springs determine the payload and ride height
Shocks determine the ride quality.

 

Okay, good point, and I definitely intended to replace the shocks, too. It's the fact that the springs bottom out when I hit any kind of bump in the road that made me think they are "completely shot." I didn't think worn shocks would do that.

Trust me, I'd rather spend my money on go-fast parts (fast being a relative term), than suspension. But the first priority on this beast is improving the ride.

What are the measurements I'm looking for?

Thanks!

 

Post #146 in this thread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16534525

Front 20.5
Rear 21.5

Shocks control the speed at which the suspension can both compress and rebound. Worn out shocks will not provide any resistance to the suspension movement and the suspension easily bottoms out.

Springs on the other hand do not loose spring rate even when they sag.

If you want to change the ride height and or amount of suspension travel then you change the spring length and or spring rate.

 

I'm sold! I'll start with the shocks and see what that does for me before dropping the coin on springs.

Thanks again!

 

I bought my '00 2WD Ex with about 225k miles on it, and it rode like a water-bed bouncing and wobbling its way down the road. Now with new Bilstein shocks and Helwig sway bars front and rear, it seriously feels like a completely different truck! So much better! As far as I know the springs are still originals, but the truck doesn't sag much at all.

 

Here is what I used......and it works nicely.

ATS Springs......Front coil spring part# TTC-2814HD with 99-10F250 F350 2WD Steel Front coil blocks with stud extender from Blitz Auto on EBAY.

ATS Rear leaf spring# 43-1263HD....no blocks...straight to the axle.

Also swapped out the camber bushings to make sure i could get a good alignment....McBay performance (ebay) Stempf part# 44-5094 extreme

Gabriel front shocks for a 2001 F350 2wd with a 7.3 diesel engine...(i had to remove the metal sleeves on the bottom of the shock)


I was able to mount 20" stock 08 F250 rims with michelin 35x12.5xr20.

truck sits nice!

 

What bilstein 5100 shock part numbers are you guys using on the 2wd EX?

 

Just wanted to follow up here and mention that I installed some Monroe Reflex shocks all around and the ride is greatly improved. I can definitely hold off on the spring swap now. Thanks for the help!

 

Good to hear.

I'd even say unless you want to change the right height you can change/improve the ride further by trying a different brand or style of performance" shock. Or possibly even tires before springs depending on what you currently ride.