Have the fronts but still trying to find some B code leaf springs. I found the leaf stack short the bottom overload spring. Spoke to Bill at Tousley Ford over the phone on springs - went something like this:

I am looking for the BOTTOM overload leaf you know - the thick flat leaf at the bottom - would you happen to have one? Do you split leaf springs up that way?

Bill: VIN # please - I gave my VIN

Bill: Normally they dont split up leaf stacks but I will check - Oh wait they do stock that part. It is $50.60 a piece.

Me: Are you sure it is the bottom overload leaf because they have a top overload leaf and that is NOT the one I want - I want the bottom?

Bill: Yes

Me: OK Bill here is the deal I am leaving in a few minutes to go buy the top 4 leafs in the stack for each side and will call you back after confirming they are satisfactory so that I can buy the BOTTOM leaf to make the set complete.

Bill: OK....

Me: I just want to make sure that I can spend $150 on the top 4 and you will still be able to get me the bottom.

Bill: OK....

Me: Will you hold on to my info so that when I call back you will be able to connect me with the right parts?

Bill: Sure

So then I drive 30 miles each way and spend $75 per stack (short 1) for a total of $150 and get home. Then I call Bill back.

Me: Can I speak to Bill?

Parts: Sure hold on... (20 minutes later )

Parts: Who are you holding for?

Me: Bill

Parts: Oh - no problem (few minutes go by)

Bill: This is bill

Me: Hi I just spoke to you a while ago about the leaf springs. I went to pick them up and I have them now. I want to order the bottom leaf.

Bill: ......

Me: The bottom leaf - I spoke to you about a getting the bottom leaf for a project I am working on

Bill:......

Me: You said you would hang on to my info until I called back

Bill: ....... uh ok - I dont have it

Me: OK here is the VIN for the Leaf (I give the VIN for the leaf)

Bill: We dont split up the leaf on that

Me: Bill... We have had this conversation already and you said I could go ahead and buy the top 4 because you had the bottom overload leaf and were willing to sell it to me for $50.60 a piece.

Bill: ......

Me: Bill?

Bill: They only sell leaf springs in full stacks - perhaps you were thinking of the Top overload spring because I can get you one of those...

What is the morale of this story??? Obviously it is not to listen to Bill at Tousley Ford. Morale #2 - I am probably an idiot for thinking that that would work...

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do with a set of top 4 leafs off of an F350. Anyone know where to find the bottom leaf?

 

That sucks, Tousley is better than average, but not perfect.

Were you going to moddify the pack anyway? If you were going to moddify it what is the difference in thickness between our anti-wrap bar and that overload? You could just cut off the end of the ainti-wrap bar so you just have a short piece to to use in place of the overload. If you moddify the pack I don't think the overload does anything besides add height. Another idea I'd thought of was to order the taller blocks, moddify the spring pack, but take the overload off the bottom so there wasn't quite as much lift. I'm sure you'll figure out something that will work.

 

Sorry to hear about your run-around with Bill. Maybe give PartsguyEd (site sponsor here) a call to get some accurate info on the overload spring, he is pretty good at searching out oddball Ford parts from what I've read here. I think that you do want the bottom overload in your final mix as it does come into play with any serious tounge weight on the hitch. The stock slapper bar would not be a viable replacement for the bottom thick flat plate, different animals and functions.
Good luck, in the end hopefully you will be able to look back and laugh...

 

I'm pretty sure, if you moddify the spring pack with the bottom two leaves from the stock Ex spring the overload is nothing more than a spacer. In that case the slapper bar could be used to space it out also. But, that will only work if you moddify the pack. Otherwise you'll need that overload.

 

Since you're in the Twin Cities area, you might want to call Healy Spring and see what they can do for you. They are a complete spring shop that can fabricate or modify springs for any vehicle.

Healy Spring Co Auto Springs, Minneapolis MN 55413 -- MerchantCircle.com

I used to deliver and pick up parts from Healy Spring when I was a kid over 40 years ago, so they have been in business a very long time. My Dad had some springs modified on his van years ago and I recommended them and he was very pleased with the service. Hope this helps.

 

I installed a set of modded B codes on my '05 V-10 4X4 back in February, I used the thicker EX spacers and the bottom two leaves from the EX's packs. I also used the cut-off slapper bar as an additional spacer placed below the B code's bottom thick flat plate. (So it doesn't come into play with spring compression.) I tow a very tounge heavy 28' toyhauler (real high tounge weight when the trailer's garage is empty!) When hitched the 1400lb+ tounge weight most certainly loads up these rear springs. Under this situation the bottom thick flat plate does do what it is designed to do, spread the load out across a longer span of the leaf pack. That's my situation and experience, I know I'm over the rated hitch weight using WD but it does allow for a good demonstration of how much the modded B's improve these buggies, the stock springs settled right down on the bumpstops when hitched, now it squats about 1.25" with a few inches of travel left.

 

That's good stuff to know, thanks!

 

Try Husky Spring. I would be surprised if they can't help you out. They have a place really close to you (732 30th Ave SE, Minneapolis) or you can call them and explain what you need (1-800-826-3318).

 

I called Husky spring and they stock a bottom overload leaf for a ford dually (new) and will sell them for $67. He said it should work great as it is the same exact size except a hair thicker. He said it should not affect ride height (more than a hair) and will only be different if the overload spring comes into play where it will give a bit more support. They said they will assemble the spring for me, inspect both sets (front and back) to ensure they have no defects or too much wear. They also make aftermarket ubolts that they will sell.

They seem to be experienced with the spring swap which is reassuring - although they said they have not seen alot of them lately.

Thanks for the advice guys - this really helps!!


FYI I called Healey Spring as someone recommended but the Standard Station that answered the call said they have been out of business for 6 years.

 

That sounds like an excellent solution...let us know how it turns out and dont forget the pics.

 

VB install completed Thursday. pictures to come.

Front used V springs with 80 k miles increased height by about 1.5 inches
Rear used B springs with >10k miles (with dually overload leaf) increased height by about 2.5-3.0 inches.
New Rancho rs9000xl springs with myride

Preliminary feelings on the swap... its a completely different vehicle. I hit a pothole and instead of the whole vehicle vibrating and moving laterally it only seems to affect the rear wheels where I can feel some extended vibration. Steering play seems fixed and it tracks down the road with very slight adjustments instead of 2 inches of plan and the back end wandering when I correct. I still feel like it could be tightened up but it is way way better.

Not sure what to think of the adjustable shocks. I am not able to detect a difference yet between the settings.

I drove from the shop installing them to pick up my Jayco 31bhs camper. 31 feet and 950 lbs of tongue weight. Without knowing exactly how much height I had gained I asked that their mechanic drop the WD hitch 1.5 inches (I am installing a propride hitch currently so I only needed to get her home).

On the way home it seemed better but as I hit bumps or experienced side wind it moved around a bit. Since I had not fine tuned it I just decided to hold my opinion until the propride hitch was installed. I assumed that if I fine tuned it it would tow better. As I stepped back from the EX hooked up to the trailer it appeared that the EX was finally level and not drooping in the rear with the 1k tongue weight. The vehicle and trailer looked level and like one. Still I was a little worried - with more play there could be the chance for more movement and it felt like it was moving - I am not above installing air bags.

I started installing the propride hitch on the trailer today in my driveway. A thunderstorm (not to mention my an anniversary dinner (16) with my wife) forced me to delay finishing it until tomorrow.

Have not tried to get it in the garage and will be seriously bummed if I cannot fit it in there. I will write up a review of the hitch if I can get it finished and tested tomorrow.

 

oh yeah - I thought I would give Tousley one more chance. I ordered the tapered blocks from them. I ordered two. I received and was billed for 2 of each (or 4) which I obviously cannot use. Not sure what to think. I will not be taking the chance on them again. I am prone to making all kinds of mistakes multiple times...

Anyone need these before I return them?

 

What size are they exactly. Would they work with the stock rear springs?

 

I run my 9000's at 0 or 1 when empty, and 7 in the rear when i toe my goose neck with a 15000 lbs John deere on it, and 4 in the front when i have my snowplow on it. just and fyi.
You should have no problem feeling the diff in the shocks. Try #1 setting go for a 5 mile ride and the set them at #5 and do the same corse and then at #9 and try it one more time, you will feel it!

 

Anybody that has done the spring swap...when you took the front springs off...Could you get the front spring eye bolt out without removing the cooler? There is a tranny cooler or a/c condenser and it seems like the eye bolt will hit it and not come all the way out unless moved. I have a set of Vs and Bs but I'm not motivated to put them on because of the heat and it looks like a PITA.