If you do the modded B's and a taller block you may be too high in the rear. I did the modded B's and bags and the rake was a bit more than I like although is has settled some in the rear. Probably a 2.5" rake now, maybe a bit more.

 

Yea, plan this out before doing it.

For me I was riding with maybe a 1/4" rake (rear high) due to the soft front springs (maybe 3/4" of clearance for the bump stops). The V code fronts only would have had me way too high in the front. The Modded B's gave me a level stance, but was still a little too soft on the rear when towing (I'd have maybe a 1/2" rear down rake when hooked up).

I added the air bags and when not towing I run them at 15psi...when towing I run them at 65psi (they max at 100). That 65psi raises the hitch ball exactly 2" which is immediately sucked up by the tongue weight of the trailer, so the stance is exactly the same as when not towing.

Had I not done a Modded B and went how you suggest (using bags to make up the difference), I'd be running my bags at 100psi and maybe still having a little bit of sag.

The air bags SUCK if used to simply gain height. I rode them with no trailer at 35psi to see what it felt like and the rear end was filled with helium, bouncing all over. At 65psi without a trailer it felt downright dangerous. They are WAY too "bouncy"...makes the rear end feel like it's a clown car on huge soft tires.

The modded springs give you height AND stiffness, where the un-modded springs and blocks give you height only. I can't imagine towing with just the B's and bags...I'd be maxed out and hoping the road was in a good enough condition. The modded B's plus bags give you a LOT of 'safety margin' on the rear suspension.

I can't speak enough to the V/Modded B setup...the B's will be stiffer than stock but in my opinion are still not stiff enough if you tow heavy.

The Modded B's (again, my opinion) are just about perfect for towing the average load - a small trailer, average boat, light travel trailer, etc. Adding the bags will let you tow pretty damn heavy and still not have a dangerous rake - stiffening up the rear end and helping keep the truck level...adding a little weight to the front which is always good when towing.

 

Yeah, I think everyone will have slightly different results. If I would have went with unmodded B's and airbags I would have been about level and with bags at 60-70, probably could have kept level towing. I did a ton of research, measuring etc. If I would have went with my gut I would have had the stance I wanted. I have to say it's growing on me now. I would have done modded Bs and X codes in from rather than Vs or left the B codes stock.

The modded B's are great though, not too stiff and you can put a lot of weight in the back and in won't drop much if at all. As I said, my rake has settled some but a 2" leveling kit in front would be just right. May do that if I ever get bigger tires. Running 285's now, I think? Anyway, they are one size over stock.

 

Yeh, I like a good rake and truck to ride level loaded...if not even some rake left. Anyone here add the v code fronts+ modded B + 4" f350 block? or perhaps add another leaf or 2 beyond the standard 2 leaf addition?

 

I believe that would leave you with too much rake, someone else will chime in I'm sure. Many variables with different trucks but if I would have added bigger blocks, my truck would have looked ridiculous! Do you have a diesel or gasser? If you have a gasser the front is lighter and will sit higher.

 

That would look ridiculously stupid.



Stewart

 

Hey Pennsy, where abouts in PA are you? Maybe we can be more help if you share with us what it is you are looking to get from this spring swap. I did a modded front X code with an additional leaf swap along with the modded rear B codes with the thicker spacers, 2 leaves from the EX's stock pack and two sections of the factory EX slapper bar along with the taller F-350 blocks. This setup gave me 3 7/8" up front and 4 1/2" out back over my stock setup with 70k miles on it.



In my signature at the bottom of this post is what my EX looks like with my spring mods as described above, as you can see it rides with a substantial amount of rake. This was done so as to have it ride nearly level with our trailer in tow, our old ToyHauler was 31' long, weighed 9500lbs+ and had a tongue weight of 1450lbs packed how we typically traveled. We also normally traveled with between 5 to 7 adult sized people on board. I have towed this configuration about 20k miles with what I would consider exceptional comfort and performance, some of which is due to the awesome Hensley Arrow hitch we use. In the photo below you can see that the rig has only about a inch of squat (below level), 4 passengers are aboard.

 

I live in Everett PA. I like the idea v code fronts and b code rears. Just curious if adding say 3 springs would work better than 2. I would like to have a good spring rate, for lighter loads and the bags for when its really loaded. Max tire size I plan to run would be a 285 or 305 most likely.

 

I see that Everett is on the other side of Harrisburg, If you were in my area I would offer you to stop be and see how my Ex sits and rides with and without a load.
I think member "Tylus" has a 3 leaf mod done to his rear springs, maybe search his posts some for info on that.
Jeez, how much load are you planning on?! I'm over on my hitch rating and rear axle load rating with my towing setup and you saw how it sits with and without that load.
I recently upgraded to 35' tires, in the pics it still had 32"s. The taller tires are also a bit wider at 305/70R18 and they fill up the wheelwells much better.

 

HEY guy new to the forum and just bought new rancho 9000s Part#RS999267 for the front and #RS999266 for the rear.. I have a 2000 V10 limited 175K I have quite a bit of sag in the drivers front spring and even driver rear.. im looking at this swap for the spring but my question is now.. Will these shocks work if i do the spring swap or will i have to buy the bigger shocks? or should i just replace stock springs to get rid of the sag? thanks again .

 

Well the plan is to pull a 23' deck over with a 6k truggy to offroad events. Trailer loaded with spares and full is under 10-12k....

 

Welcome to the forum!
I did not take the time to look up the Rancho part numbers, but if they are the replacements for a stock EX then they should be fine with a V/B swap, the stock sized shocks have a bit of extra size over what is actually needed for our rigs. My spring mods gave me more lift so I went with the Rancho 9000XLs for an Ex with 4" of lift, I really like them.
I would not replace with stock Ex replacement springs, they kinda suck, these things are 3/4 ton trucks and should be sprung like one. The factory springs were weaker than the SuperDuty springs and sat about 2" lower than the SD trucks even though they share the same basic ( the Ex frame does differ slightly from the front doors back) frame and axles.

 

Hey Tom, have a picture of your Ex with the 35's on? Looking good man......


,

 

Yeah, that sounds like quite the load. You do realize that you will be exceeding the EX's hitch rating and rear axle load rating with that in tow. I would recommend having the hitch reinforced, using a good WD hitch with sway control properly setup using a CAT scale (will give individual axle weights of EX and trailer), load range E tires and maintaining at least 10% and closer to 15% of the trailer's weight as tongue weight. You will also need to have the heavier rear springs from a SD truck, like the B codes.
Even with these mods and setups you will still be over on the hitch's rating (but it has been reinforced to handle the load) and the EX's rear axle weight rating (but with the heavier truck springs your axle/spring should be as good as the F-250/350 higher ratings). You will need to be comfortable accepting the liability of running over these ratings.

 

Thanks Rich, I think your buggy turned out real nice too!
This is the only pic I have with the 35"s, it's not the best but it does look better with the wheelwells filled up some more. They are the Nitto Dura Grapplers 305/70R18E.