V/Modified B codes, step-by-step
#227
Thanks fellas. This will help a alot.
On a side note, my third excursion took a dump today. Gosh I really hate that 6.0. I am going to part that one out and be done with it. I know, 3 excursions what was I thinking. I bought the 6.0 cheap to do a 12v swap. Just don't have the time for it.
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Thanks,
Your Mod Team
On a side note, my third excursion took a dump today. Gosh I really hate that 6.0. I am going to part that one out and be done with it. I know, 3 excursions what was I thinking. I bought the 6.0 cheap to do a 12v swap. Just don't have the time for it.
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Your Mod Team
Last edited by Stewart_H; 01-25-2016 at 08:07 PM.
#228
Thanks fellas. This will help a alot.
On a side note, my third excursion took a dump today. Gosh I really hate that 6.0. I am going to part that one out and be done with it. I know, 3 excursions what was I thinking. I bought the 6.0 cheap to do a 12v swap. Just don't have the time for it.
On a side note, my third excursion took a dump today. Gosh I really hate that 6.0. I am going to part that one out and be done with it. I know, 3 excursions what was I thinking. I bought the 6.0 cheap to do a 12v swap. Just don't have the time for it.
Last edited by Stewart_H; 01-25-2016 at 08:07 PM.
#231
I see the picture and count 5 leaves in the pack. I have purchased new "B" code springs and there are 4 leaves in the pack.
If I perform the mod will I be removing 2 Leaves from my new springs and replacing them with 2 of the old springs OR will I be adding 2 old leaves to my new pack resulting in 6 leaves total? Thank you in advance!
If I perform the mod will I be removing 2 Leaves from my new springs and replacing them with 2 of the old springs OR will I be adding 2 old leaves to my new pack resulting in 6 leaves total? Thank you in advance!
#232
I see the picture and count 5 leaves in the pack. I have purchased new "B" code springs and there are 4 leaves in the pack.
If I perform the mod will I be removing 2 Leaves from my new springs and replacing them with 2 of the old springs OR will I be adding 2 old leaves to my new pack resulting in 6 leaves total? Thank you in advance!
If I perform the mod will I be removing 2 Leaves from my new springs and replacing them with 2 of the old springs OR will I be adding 2 old leaves to my new pack resulting in 6 leaves total? Thank you in advance!
OEM B codes were available with or without the top overload leaf, either way you can NOT use that top overload leaf on an EX, the EX does not have the landing pads for the leaf to function. And that leaf can contact your rear AC lines under full compression causing the AC system and your wallet to depressure.
To do the typical B code mods you take the bottom two shortest leaves from the factory EX spring pack and add them to the B code pack along with the slightly thicker between leaf spacers from the EX pack, these will replace the B code's spacers. Those 2 short leaves will go under your B code's 4 main long leaves and just above that thick bottom leaf/plate. Your new B codes do have 4 long leaves AND a thick bottom leaf/plate correct? Like this one below which still has it's top overload (that we can't use on an EX).
The only thing that would be removed from the B codes would be the top overload and the 1" block between it and the main spring pack (if it has the overload) and the in between leaf spacers that you swap out for the EX ones and the center bolt which may need to be replaced depending on the new modded pack's total thickness vs the bolt length. No leaves (aside from the top overload) get removed from the new B codes during this mod.
#233
MODDING THE B CODE SPRINGS:
On the springs you take off of the truck (old springs), hit the center spring pack bolt with PB blaster on the nut side only. I actually didn't need it at all.
Set C clamps onto the old springs...I put one near the center bolt, then two more on either side:
I took a set of vice grips and locked them on the round head of the bolt and just used a regular ratchet to remove the nut.
Once you get the bolt out, release the C clamps and "flip" the springs upside down so the arch is up. Loosen all three C clamps. Pull the bottom two leaves from the pack along with all of the center spacers - discard the anti-wrap leaf and the uper three leaves.
Take note when you break apart the spring pack and put everything back together that you keep the front to the front and the back to the back.
Repeat the process on the B code springs - placing three C clamps, removing the center pin bolt then slowly releasing pressure from the C clamps. Flip the springs upside down, take those bottom two leaves out, replace all of the thin spacers with the thicker ones from your stock springs. Put on the two additional leaves and the rectangular bracket, then use the new center bolt to align the leaves. Once you get them lined up, remove the bolt, put on the B code bottom leaf and put the pin back in. Use the C clamps to compress the pack slowly, making sure the leaves are not sliding around tearing up that center bolt. If you have a "driff pin" (read that on another FTE members posting) use that...I didn't have one so I used the bolt. Use a hammer to tap the leaves to keep them straight as you tighten the C clamps fully. Put the new bolt in and tighten down.
NOTE: Ford could not give me a torque spec on this since Ford does not recommend changing the spring packs. I tightened mine down by hand pretty hard.
Remove the C clamps and you should have a new Modded B spring pack:
On the springs you take off of the truck (old springs), hit the center spring pack bolt with PB blaster on the nut side only. I actually didn't need it at all.
Set C clamps onto the old springs...I put one near the center bolt, then two more on either side:
I took a set of vice grips and locked them on the round head of the bolt and just used a regular ratchet to remove the nut.
Once you get the bolt out, release the C clamps and "flip" the springs upside down so the arch is up. Loosen all three C clamps. Pull the bottom two leaves from the pack along with all of the center spacers - discard the anti-wrap leaf and the uper three leaves.
Take note when you break apart the spring pack and put everything back together that you keep the front to the front and the back to the back.
Repeat the process on the B code springs - placing three C clamps, removing the center pin bolt then slowly releasing pressure from the C clamps. Flip the springs upside down, take those bottom two leaves out, replace all of the thin spacers with the thicker ones from your stock springs. Put on the two additional leaves and the rectangular bracket, then use the new center bolt to align the leaves. Once you get them lined up, remove the bolt, put on the B code bottom leaf and put the pin back in. Use the C clamps to compress the pack slowly, making sure the leaves are not sliding around tearing up that center bolt. If you have a "driff pin" (read that on another FTE members posting) use that...I didn't have one so I used the bolt. Use a hammer to tap the leaves to keep them straight as you tighten the C clamps fully. Put the new bolt in and tighten down.
NOTE: Ford could not give me a torque spec on this since Ford does not recommend changing the spring packs. I tightened mine down by hand pretty hard.
Remove the C clamps and you should have a new Modded B spring pack:
#236
#237
modded B codes are going to be very resistant to sag.
If you still have the original G codes, I highly suggest you put another leaf into the B codes. solves the problem and free
#238
The difference between a B mod spring and the factory rear Excursion leaf is the amount of arch. Same spring rate, different arch.
#240
Leaf Spring Calculator | Suspension Maxx
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