Dreaming again....coil over conversion
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
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Dreaming again....coil over conversion
So I have seen a few threads with questions but nothing specific. I was looking to change up my current vehicle and I have been tossing around the V/B code swap. I then came across an opportunity to pick up the full suspension from an F350 2005 and ding ding......I wonder if I should do that conversion instead.
Most talk about doing a fabtech or similar suspension coil over with a lift but I wanted to get details about a stock conversion.
First, You guys let me know if that's crazy or I'm crazy.
Second, who has done this and what exactly is needed to make this happen.
Third, how does it drive and handle?
I will get all parts for the suspension, drive shafts, and axles.
I am still getting all the details about the truck and should have them soon.
Thanks, Tim
Most talk about doing a fabtech or similar suspension coil over with a lift but I wanted to get details about a stock conversion.
First, You guys let me know if that's crazy or I'm crazy.
Second, who has done this and what exactly is needed to make this happen.
Third, how does it drive and handle?
I will get all parts for the suspension, drive shafts, and axles.
I am still getting all the details about the truck and should have them soon.
Thanks, Tim
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
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From: West Virginia
I don't think the 2005's have coilovers stock. They just have coil springs.
I'm not sure how they locate the axle either, but while its a fair bit of fabrication its nothing undoable to add coils to a leaf spring truck. The things I'd look at are how are you going to fit the coil towers around the existing inner fenders and tires, and where the 05's locate the axle, and what the 04 and down frames have as far as frame provisions. If the frames are different shapes, then using stock locating links may not give you the correct axle alignment and the truck won't handle properly.
I think the first 2 things I would look at would be what the differences are between 04 and 05 frames, and what the coil towers look like on the 05's and whether they would adapt to the 04 sheet metal easily.
Actual aftermarket coilovers might be a better bet as they are usually much narrower, so easier to fit... and if the frames are different you will have to use aftermarket links anyway.
I'm not sure how they locate the axle either, but while its a fair bit of fabrication its nothing undoable to add coils to a leaf spring truck. The things I'd look at are how are you going to fit the coil towers around the existing inner fenders and tires, and where the 05's locate the axle, and what the 04 and down frames have as far as frame provisions. If the frames are different shapes, then using stock locating links may not give you the correct axle alignment and the truck won't handle properly.
I think the first 2 things I would look at would be what the differences are between 04 and 05 frames, and what the coil towers look like on the 05's and whether they would adapt to the 04 sheet metal easily.
Actual aftermarket coilovers might be a better bet as they are usually much narrower, so easier to fit... and if the frames are different you will have to use aftermarket links anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 670
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From: SoCal...LP to the LB
If I had the money and resources.
08+ 250/350(?) Front Dana 60 axle
New beefier Rear axle ( or are they still the 10.5?)
Carli Performance Suspension System( king coil-overs), note NOT sold as a lift kit, however it does add about 4" but gives way more travel too.
Then any other components I'd need to do the job/bulletproof it
Done
I wouldn't personally spend the money just to get an oem coil suspension, and it's not coilover, just coils with the shock on the outside I believe
Just integrating this somehow would be amazing!!!! http://www.superduty-hq.com/fordsupe...ionsystem.aspx
08+ 250/350(?) Front Dana 60 axle
New beefier Rear axle ( or are they still the 10.5?)
Carli Performance Suspension System( king coil-overs), note NOT sold as a lift kit, however it does add about 4" but gives way more travel too.
Then any other components I'd need to do the job/bulletproof it
Done
I wouldn't personally spend the money just to get an oem coil suspension, and it's not coilover, just coils with the shock on the outside I believe
Just integrating this somehow would be amazing!!!! http://www.superduty-hq.com/fordsupe...ionsystem.aspx
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
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Well you are most likely correct its a coil spring vs the leaf spring change for the front.
Most of the research I have found says that it should fit without modification but wanted to get first hand information. The person selling the parts is a Ford mechanic and says that its a direct bolt on for the older F250/F350 (00-04) and should fit the same on an Excursion.
But I look to those on this forum as those here are extremely talented and have a wealth of knowledge.
Tim
Most of the research I have found says that it should fit without modification but wanted to get first hand information. The person selling the parts is a Ford mechanic and says that its a direct bolt on for the older F250/F350 (00-04) and should fit the same on an Excursion.
But I look to those on this forum as those here are extremely talented and have a wealth of knowledge.
Tim
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
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From: West Virginia
I'm not saying your friend is wrong because I don't know and don't have an 05 to compare mine to, but I would be surprised if it would all just bolt up. If so the companies that sell coilover conversions would certainly list them for our application... if stock stuff bolted up then an aftermarket kit for an 05 would work on the 99-04 trucks, which are everywhere and dirt cheap and being lifted by the dozen every day. If they could tap into that market with no additional engineering it would be pure profit... but every company I've seen markets their kits for 05 up, or if they offer a coilover conversion kit for 04 and down its a different kit with different components.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Southern California
I know of an article in a 4wheel mag, not sure of which one but I may have it in the stacks of old mags in my garage. Where a Ford parts guy or mechanic ( He was in the Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo area? ) converted his short bed 03' / 04' F250 to coil with stock parts. I'm cleaning the garage today I will post it as soon as I find it.
This has been a well discussed item here...
This has been a well discussed item here...
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: SoCal...LP to the LB
I know of an article in a 4wheel mag, not sure of which one but I may have it in the stacks of old mags in my garage. Where a Ford parts guy or mechanic ( He was in the Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo area? ) converted his short bed 03' / 04' F250 to coil with stock parts. I'm cleaning the garage today I will post it as soon as I find it.
This has been a well discussed item here...
This has been a well discussed item here...
As for bolt on systems, I've even asked the guys at Full-traction on their coil-over bolt on systems and they say they do not directly bolt on to the X's only the trucks for some reason, although I think I remember someone on here saying they tried it out. I'm not mistaken, Fabtech now has theirs under their X lifts as an option.
The main thing that you'd have to figure out is a top bracket that you could put a spring mount. Coil-overs will be easier to mount because they mount up like shocks, instead of a spring were you need a top and bottoms spring kind of bucket for it to sit in. And then if you stick with the X axle how you'd mount it, but I think of you get a newer 05+ axle then it'll be easier to find a mounting spot for the spring or coilover.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hanover,PA
I was thinking of doing this too. The frame of my 2000 Ex has most of the holes where the 2005 spring bucket and the radaus arm brackets mount up. I had a chance to get Most of the parts off a friends wrecked superduty,But Did not have the funds for the new lift parts. If you can get the spring buckets, springs, radaus arm brackets and arms and front axle it will bolt right up. Will need to drill a couple holes to complete. My 2 cents.. 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
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I see lots of chatter about it being done and that it can be done but I get conflicting information about how much matches up and changes that need to be done..
I have seen a few supporters on other sites say they have done it but I am looking for that DIY guy that did it in his driveway to see what he did to get it done.
I have been also looking for any forums that go into the details of the conversion. Maybe its easy enough that people don't document it......Ha ...right, I'm not that lucky.
Tim
I have seen a few supporters on other sites say they have done it but I am looking for that DIY guy that did it in his driveway to see what he did to get it done.
I have been also looking for any forums that go into the details of the conversion. Maybe its easy enough that people don't document it......Ha ...right, I'm not that lucky.
Tim
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
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Well maybe Stewart could get the boys together up here in NorCal for a tooling day at Andy's house in Morgan Hill.....I have never been but have heard rumors about these get togethers.
I will provide the X and parts and we can get it all documented with pics and parts for all other X owners wanting to make this change.
O wait ....I am all talk and no guts.
Tim M
I will provide the X and parts and we can get it all documented with pics and parts for all other X owners wanting to make this change.
O wait ....I am all talk and no guts.
Tim M
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