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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: East Meadow
C50bart, as everyone else has stated a spring swap will make your current bottoming out truck a completely new beast. There are a bunch of us here who have done spring swaps and associated mods, search this forum for V/B, X/B and Wander to find tons of info. Ford short changed the EX when it came to springs and the fix is as easy as swapping in a set from an F-250/350, big difference.
When I bought my truck the bottoming out had me very frustrated and the axle wrap and wander while towing made for a real adventure. Using info gained on this forum and a set of take-off springs from a coworker's F-350 and some spring shop U-bolts my truck went from this
to this
No more bottoming out and towing is now very enjoyable!
Welcome to the forums!
When I bought my truck the bottoming out had me very frustrated and the axle wrap and wander while towing made for a real adventure. Using info gained on this forum and a set of take-off springs from a coworker's F-350 and some spring shop U-bolts my truck went from this
to this
No more bottoming out and towing is now very enjoyable!
Welcome to the forums!
Oh wow, Thats a huge differance. I like what the F-350 springs did for your truck. It looks like a small lift. Thanks a bunch for pictures info.
I'm taking a trip to Orlando, Fl from NY, will my 3 kids make it through the trip with a set of springs that heavy? By the way, Thanks and your Ex looks top notch..
Agreed about Ford short change the X
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,057
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From: Media PA
Thanks, your EX, Busa and trailer are all pretty cool too!
I took the X/B swap a little farther than most, I added an extra leaf to the new stronger/taller front X code springs and did the typical B mod to the rears as well as the taller F-350 blocks and an extra inch of other plate. All that equalled big gains of 3 3/8" front and 4 3/8" rear, my goal was to have a very firm ride (and to NEVER bottom out again!) and sit nearly level while towing my high tongue weight (1425lbs) ToyHauler. This setup meets my goals, and that's the beauty of these spring swaps and mods, you can mix-n-match to get exactly what you want/need.
My ride is firm but not harsh at all, I think the kiddies would survive the FL trip, my son and his buddies have no complaints after about 4500 miles of vacation trips so far like this.
I did look at your pics and those front springs do look tired
. Also saw the rear squat and nose rise with the trailer, I don't know if you have seen this article from over on RV.net before but it's a good how-to on WD hitch setup. RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Towing: Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure
Ideally with the WD bars engaged the front end of the tow vehicle should return to or nearly to it's unhitched height. You may need to put more load on the bars or upgrade to stronger ones. And what year is the Camaro, '74 or so? I have a '69 ragtop in mid-restification and an all original '69 T/A with 87k miles.
I took the X/B swap a little farther than most, I added an extra leaf to the new stronger/taller front X code springs and did the typical B mod to the rears as well as the taller F-350 blocks and an extra inch of other plate. All that equalled big gains of 3 3/8" front and 4 3/8" rear, my goal was to have a very firm ride (and to NEVER bottom out again!) and sit nearly level while towing my high tongue weight (1425lbs) ToyHauler. This setup meets my goals, and that's the beauty of these spring swaps and mods, you can mix-n-match to get exactly what you want/need.
My ride is firm but not harsh at all, I think the kiddies would survive the FL trip, my son and his buddies have no complaints after about 4500 miles of vacation trips so far like this.
I did look at your pics and those front springs do look tired
. Also saw the rear squat and nose rise with the trailer, I don't know if you have seen this article from over on RV.net before but it's a good how-to on WD hitch setup. RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Towing: Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up ProcedureIdeally with the WD bars engaged the front end of the tow vehicle should return to or nearly to it's unhitched height. You may need to put more load on the bars or upgrade to stronger ones. And what year is the Camaro, '74 or so? I have a '69 ragtop in mid-restification and an all original '69 T/A with 87k miles.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117
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From: East Meadow
Tom Thanks. I added a few more of my toys in that album.
The Camaro was a 81 z28 with 406 small block putting out about 500hp. I restored it and then dumped it to buy bigger toys. With gas prices as high, I've been dumping all my toys on ebay. I'm left with my Benz, X & v-nose. Benz is my future coufin.
Thanks for the info on Trailer set-up. I have a Husky 1200# Tongue weight set-up. I don't think it's tweeked as I just threw it together recently and added the sway control too.
The Camaro was a 81 z28 with 406 small block putting out about 500hp. I restored it and then dumped it to buy bigger toys. With gas prices as high, I've been dumping all my toys on ebay. I'm left with my Benz, X & v-nose. Benz is my future coufin.
Thanks for the info on Trailer set-up. I have a Husky 1200# Tongue weight set-up. I don't think it's tweeked as I just threw it together recently and added the sway control too.
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Posts: 12,057
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From: Media PA
A lot of folks, myself included went with used springs for their swaps, that door jamb sticker is where you would look to see what spring code is on the donor F-250/350. Look around for folks that have lifted their Superduties and ask about their take-offs, or check out parts yards. Here is some info that I have collected from this forum.
Fronts;
C code = 3680lbs (EX V-10)
S code = 4000lbs (F-250/350)
T code = 4400lbs ( " " )
U code = 4800lbs ( " " )
V code = 5200lbs ( " " )
W code = 5600lbs (F-450)
X code = 6000lbs (Superduties w/ snowplow prep)
Rears;
B code = 6840lbs (F-250/350 SRW)
C code = 8250lbs (F-350 DRW)
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From: Michigan
A lot of the guys on here go with the modded springs, some also go with the air bags in addition to them.
Regardless, if you are interested in learning any more about adding air bags I would be happy to help. Just for reference, the kit that we offer for your application is 57340, the link will take you to the install manual to get a better idea of what all is entailed.
Regardless, if you are interested in learning any more about adding air bags I would be happy to help. Just for reference, the kit that we offer for your application is 57340, the link will take you to the install manual to get a better idea of what all is entailed.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117
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From: East Meadow
Under the SPR spot on the sticker it will have a two letter code, first letter is front springs and second is the rears. I think all V-10 EX's had the same wimpy springs front & rear, you sticker shows C/G. V-10's also only had either 3.73 or 4.30 gears, I have the 3.73s and am going to a 35" tire soon and tow heavy so I'll be bumping up to 4.88s eventually.
A lot of folks, myself included went with used springs for their swaps, that door jamb sticker is where you would look to see what spring code is on the donor F-250/350. Look around for folks that have lifted their Superduties and ask about their take-offs, or check out parts yards. Here is some info that I have collected from this forum.
Fronts;
C code = 3680lbs (EX V-10)
S code = 4000lbs (F-250/350)
T code = 4400lbs ( " " )
U code = 4800lbs ( " " )
V code = 5200lbs ( " " )
W code = 5600lbs (F-450)
X code = 6000lbs (Superduties w/ snowplow prep)
Rears;
B code = 6840lbs (F-250/350 SRW)
C code = 8250lbs (F-350 DRW)
A lot of folks, myself included went with used springs for their swaps, that door jamb sticker is where you would look to see what spring code is on the donor F-250/350. Look around for folks that have lifted their Superduties and ask about their take-offs, or check out parts yards. Here is some info that I have collected from this forum.
Fronts;
C code = 3680lbs (EX V-10)
S code = 4000lbs (F-250/350)
T code = 4400lbs ( " " )
U code = 4800lbs ( " " )
V code = 5200lbs ( " " )
W code = 5600lbs (F-450)
X code = 6000lbs (Superduties w/ snowplow prep)
Rears;
B code = 6840lbs (F-250/350 SRW)
C code = 8250lbs (F-350 DRW)
Last edited by C50bart; Feb 22, 2012 at 04:19 PM. Reason: Posted using Cell phone.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117
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From: East Meadow
A lot of the guys on here go with the modded springs, some also go with the air bags in addition to them.
Regardless, if you are interested in learning any more about adding air bags I would be happy to help. Just for reference, the kit that we offer for your application is 57340, the link will take you to the install manual to get a better idea of what all is entailed.
Regardless, if you are interested in learning any more about adding air bags I would be happy to help. Just for reference, the kit that we offer for your application is 57340, the link will take you to the install manual to get a better idea of what all is entailed.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: East Meadow
Thank you. I'll need these once I get my suspension corrected.
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