Thanks Tom , yes they are stock replacement shocks for the EX. Glad to hear they will still work with the swap. Another Question anyone know of a good place to look for or find V/b code springs in southern california ? redlands area i have called a few places but no luck.. or anybody online

 

Be careful with the spring purchase, Cary always told me to stick with the OEM parts on this because some of the aftermarket springs aren't made to the same specifications.

 

I'm jealous - I really want to change to 18" rims as well........

 

While I agree with most of that...these things are really a reg cab long bed truck....I have towed that same load with an 89 chevy 2500 with a tbi 350 and th400. With a semi float 14 bolt rear..

Really these have a 10.5 sterling rear, same as the majority of the superduties. IF i had to guess, they are rated low for the crappy suspension that comes under them, not the axle. As for the hitch...if it seem weak, nothing a welder and some steel cant fix.

 

Modded...Modded B's
Un-Modded...B's

Since the entire post I put up was about V/Modded B's, kinda thought that was understood.

Well, yes...that's the entire point of the swap isn't it?

Yes...I have. The front if memory serves had something like 200 or 300 lbs more than pre-bag install. As much as I might get with a WD hitch? No, but as I said, every bit counts.

 

Jwagen...if you are referencing the V/Modded B combo (stock blocks), the OEM stock length is fine.

 

Wow, I'm surprised that the front reloaded that well! Thanks for that interesting bit of feedback. I had never seen anyone report on air bag's reloading the frontend before. I had always (mistakenly now I assume...) assumed the bags wouldn't really do much for front weights.
Thanks Robert! Now I learned my "something new" for today.

 

My guess is that 2" of rise from the air bags lifting the rear to a level stance is allowing some weight to be put back on the front tires. It's not much at all when you think of it, but even 50lbs per tire is more grip that can help you brake.

 

I would give Cary a call at CT Performance, he is a great guy that always takes time to help. Just let him know what you plan to do with the vehicle and he'll give you some tips.

CT Performane Contact Us

I can't wait to see how his 2010 front axle swap turns out......

 

So I am 99% sure I am getting an Ex, just waiting on the bank. This will be the first thing done to it.

After more reading and thinking...The plan is to do v code fronts, and modded B code rears. I will keep the stock ex block. But had anyone done 3 springs from the old rear packs and transferred them to the B codes. Or done 2 springs and a chunk of the old overload.

I Do NOT want level at ride height unloaded..a slight rake is desired

 

Yes some of us have, Tom WE3ZS, and myself have both used the new overload spring from the B-code up in the front as an add-a-leaf, I gained another 7/8'" from it to my X-codes, 7'16" was from leaf thickness alone. drill a hole in each end for the pads from one of your old springs to prevent squeaks

 

I am talking about the rear. The front will just be plain V codes. I am talking about the rear. Adding the normal 2 plys, and then debating about a 3rd ply, or cutting a chunk off the old overload and going between the packs and the new overload. This is for the rear...

 

Sorry misread your question, Tom did do some other modifications to his rear pack but I dont recall exactly what they were, most just do the usual mod with the addition of the EX shims

Straight up V-codes and modded B's should give you a rake, but adding a cut off section will obviously lift the rear whatever the thickness of that piece of leaf is

 

If you add a section of the EX factory "slapper" style traction bar, (It's NOT an overload, it's a traction bar designed to fight the axle wrap these weak springs suffer from.) Then don't put it between the spring pack and the new SD bottom overload leaf, put it under the new overload (thick flat bottom leaf on B codes) and on top of the EX's factory block leaving the cut section a few inches longer than the block's length. This will give you you that little bit of extra height and will not interfere with the function of the bottom overload leaf (plate) on the SD springs. I used 2 sections of the slapper bar on my modded spring pack. Also if the SD B codes you get have the top overload leaf on them take it off, the EX lacks the frame mounted landing pads for the top overloads and that leaf can come in contact with the EX's rear AC lines if left in place and those lines are $$$. The B codes with top overloads (some don't have them) have the single overload leaf mounted above the main pack on a 1" spacer block, both the block and single overload need to come off before mounting the springs on an EX. It's that top B code overload leaf (that can't be used on the rear packs) that a few of us have added to our fronts (both V and X codes) for more lift and firmness.

 

True. Mine didn't because I run with a good 200-300lbs of equipment where my 3rd row seat usually goes, so I end up running level...without any gear I'd have a slight rake.