I'm about ready to pull the trigger and make the purchase. I've read until my eyes went cross-eyed. I've fallen asleep on the keyboard at least once.

My truck drives like a school bus on water. I tightened the steering box which helped a bit. My rear bump stops are nearly gone. I tow a 6500lb trailer fairly often. The truck basically sits on the stops with the trailer attached...

Here's my shopping list (based on Stewart's part numbers. THANK YOU!):
*V-Codes for the front
*Modified B-Codes for the rear
*Billstein BE5-2818 front shocks
*Billstein BE5-6209 rear shocks
*Hellwig Rear Sway Bar


My questions:
1. How does the shopping list look? Am I missing anything?
2. Will the Hellwig sway bar work without any modification when used in conjunction with modified b-codes?
3. I don't care about rake when towing. I like an even stance or slight rake when not towing. Are 3.5" blocks needed with rear modified b-codes and v-codes up front?
4. Many posts state I'll need longer U-bolts and center-bolts for the modified b-codes. How do I shop for these items? Did those of you that completed this modification bring your current parts to the shop? I don't have the option of leaving the truck torn apart and need to have all parts on hand before starting the project.
5. What am I missing?? After all this reading it actually seems to make sense... I have to be missing something.

Thanks in advance

 

You will need new u bolts in the rear after you modify. The fronts u bolts have been re-used in the past; however, many suggest not re-using as they are a torque to yield. When I did my swap, I read you will need a one inch longer u bolt. I did some quick internet searching, and found a custom spring shop near by that would make custom u bolts while I waited. The were about 1/2 the price as Ford OEM. I think the U bolts you need for the rears are F350 dually u bolts. The center bolt was just a grade 8 bolt, I got long enough for make up for the additional springs, and I got it from the hardware store.

 

As 9905 stated you should get new rear and front u-bolts and nuts to go with it.

I went to a spring shop and picked up a 6 inch center pin from them. I can't remember the diameter of it but it was slightly larger in diameter than the original but I had no issue with it.

I just did the v/b-mod spring upgrade and this past weekend added the Hellwig rear sway bar. The install on the rear sway bar was easy and bolted right up.

You can see my moded B-codes, my hellwig sway bar, my longer F350 u-bolts and my Rancho 9000 shocks.




Tim M

 

Timf150,

Are those stock Rancho 9000 shocks? Also where did you get the hellwig sway bar? Also did you use the stock rear blocks? Do you have any before and after shots?

 

Yes they are the stock ranchos for a 4x4 excursion. The fronts are the same as the F250 but the rears are specific to the excursion.

I got the Hellwig from street side auto but then I found out that one of our sponsors RiffRaff diesel has them also. I would have gotten it from RiffRaff so that I could support them.

I used the stock rear blocks.

My before is when it had a 8/10 in lift so that won't do you any good but here is the after shot.