Ok, don’t shoot the messenger here…lol. I’m just posting what I was told at a local reputable 4wd specialty shop. They specialize in installing plows and utility beds on heavy duty trucks, also lifts & suspension. They have been doing this for well over 30 years. So it’s not a fly by night, “Joe Shmoe” garage. But what he said took me by surprise and was contrary to what I have read here.

I went to ask him if he had used F250 springs to swap out to my Ex. He asked why. I explained what I have read & learned here, soft OEM springs, etc. He tells me the front springs are the same on a F250 & Ex. I told him respectfully I read different. He proceeded to tell me how long he has been doing this, so I politely said Ok and moved on in conversation. He said to add a leaf to both front & rear springs that will do the same thing and save a lot of work. He stated that’s what they do when they add plows. But I thought to myself well that’s because they are stiffer springs to begin with, but didn’t want to get in an argument with the guy because there was no way he would give up on that idea. So I asked for an estimate on adding a leaf. For just parts, about $260 for the front & $120 for the rear. Then if they did the work another 2-300.

He asked what tires I was running, I told him E rated BFG’s. He tells me, BFG’s tend to have soft sidewalls and will cause flexing. I am running them 55 psi in front & 65 in rear. He says that’s ok, but to go up to 80.

He also told me he has done the same thing to an Ex down the street, so I asked if the he tows with it. He wasn’t sure.

So all in all, I’m not really buying what he is selling because he works mainly with pick ups, few Ex’s. And not sure if those tow anything.

So, please, no flaming, I am just looking for more experience here and sharing info I received, right or wrong. Just posting this for educational purposes.

 

Yeah, your right, he doen't know what he is talking about. I've seen the springs and they are different. Unless you find it drives best at 80psi, don't do it, you shouldn't need to.

 

Yeah, I wasn't too sure about the tire pressure thing either.

 

Here is a good thread with the spring rates listed - Spring Height Change ESTIMATES - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com

The guy has a way to beef up the springs but it would offer a harsh ride. Just because he has done it 30 years does not make it right especially since these vehicles have only been around for ten.

The spring change is the right way to add the needed suspension travel. I have the V/mod B springs and the ride is awesome both loaded and unloaded. It rides better than our other vehicles yet can handle 1300lbs of tongue weight. The W and X would offer slightly more lift but would ride a little stiff for my liking. The W and X would work good with a heavier front bumper. With the V's we have no body roll yet it can soak up the larger and smaller bumps without compromising the ride.

 

I had leaves added front and rear and do tow with mine. It tows just fine plus it sits a good bit higher now. I too have BFG AT K/O "E" tires. I agree that they tend to have softer sidewalls. Well, they seemed softer than the last set of tires I had. I run them at 80 psi.

Was going to post a picture but just realized that I don't have any current pictures taken since I've had the springs done.

Oh, I got the work done for free. Well, swapped work with the guy. He said he usually gets $250 to add a leaf to the front of a Super Duty.

 

IMHO - Spring swap is the way to go. The V's I put on did the trick on the (very) heavy front end of a 7.3L EX. The OEM's are just too soft. Haven't done the rears yet as I'm still looking for a cheap pair of B or F codes. Anybody got some to part with?

I did have BFG AT's on the EX but when one of them shreded coming back from Inks Lake SP in Central TX, I changed them all to Michelien LTX AT's.

Let me tell you the Michielns have a much. much softer sidewall. I ran the BFG's at 65/60 (Front to rear) w/o a tow and bumped them up from there when I towed. With the LTX's I run them at the same pressures and the ride is much softer due to sidewall flex.

D

 

Bruce is the man. All of the different ratings you see listed on the forums regarding V codes/W codes/X codes are from Bruce's spread sheet that a lot of us have saved on our hard drives.

So basically he's saying all the information Ford has on their DIFFERENT front springs (U codes/V codes/W codes/X codes etc) is completely false, and that Ford has intentionally lied about the different ratings and capacity's for each spring?

ROTFLMAO!!



30 years means he's got a LOT of experience, but it doesn't mean he's always right.

If a metorologist (you know, a weatherman on TV) with 30 years of experience tells you the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, you'd know that just because he had 30 years of experience doesn't make him correct!

Stewart

 

Im right there with you Stewart, just passing it along for what its worth...lol.

 

I thought it was great that you passed it on! We needed the laugh!

Stewart

 

There's alot of good info on Leaf Sping upgades in here but where's the best place to purchance these springs. What are some thoughts on putting them in yourself. Do I need an alignment afterwards.
I have an 2004 Ex where I just realized my rubber bumberstops are almost gone. Some local suspension shop just told me to add a leaf for about 600-700$. Crazy!

 

I did all my own work with a buddy's help because I have a bad back, without any problems.

No, you won't need an alignment.

Stewart

 

Found this to be very helpful!
2000 Ford Excursion V-Code Leaf Spring Installation pictures, videos, and sounds | SuperMotors.net
I still need to find where to buy the V code springs

 

VERY good instructions. Just ignore the part when it comes to getting to the front spring eye bolt, and remove the front bumper instead.

Four bolts and the bumper is off. It's a lot easier than what the link instructs you to do.

Stewart

 

The bumper is four bolts, plus remove the corner support on the bumper. Much easier than the method they show on the writeup.

 

Where does a guy buy these v code springs? I need a new set in the worst way!