Modded "C" Codes Front, Modded "F" Codes Rear
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
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From: SE Georgia
Modded "C" Codes Front, Modded "F" Codes Rear
Got some "F" code springs from a 2005 F-250. Took hours to identify them, but finally was able to using the VIN # and a parts site. The 05/06 "F" codes have the same weight rating as the "B" codes, but are more progressive I guess 
thoughts? going to the Autoport tomorrow A.M. to put the X on the lift and start the whole process.
snapshot of my "F" codes and the Engineering #'s
Front:Modded "C" Codes: I will be taking a leaf from the rear "G" codes. Not expecting alot. Just some lift/firmness for now. Once it's back on the ground I'll snag some appropriate length shackles to level the ride.
I don't really have any wander at the moment. Mainly doing this to lift the X a bit and get a bit more of a truck ride.
Rear:I don't really have any wander at the moment. Mainly doing this to lift the X a bit and get a bit more of a truck ride.
Modded "F" Codes: They are rated the same as the "B" codes. Based on a few other guys experience with the "F" codes out back, I'm hoping for ~2" lift.
I will be adding a leaf from the OEM "G" codes rear to the "F" codes as described here
My current heights as of today:I will be adding a leaf from the OEM "G" codes rear to the "F" codes as described here
LR - 38.5"
LF - 37.5"
RR - 38.75"
RF - 37.5"
oh, and I found this nifty leaf chart LF - 37.5"
RR - 38.75"
RF - 37.5"
thoughts? going to the Autoport tomorrow A.M. to put the X on the lift and start the whole process.
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From: Media PA
Good luck!
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished results. So you plan to use the 3rd from the bottom leaf to add to the new rears, are you going to use the 2nd leaf to add to the fronts? I don't recall reading about this particular spring mod by anyone here on FTE before. Take lots of pictures!
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished results. So you plan to use the 3rd from the bottom leaf to add to the new rears, are you going to use the 2nd leaf to add to the fronts? I don't recall reading about this particular spring mod by anyone here on FTE before. Take lots of pictures!
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
yes, I plan on adding the next longest leaf from the "G" codes to the front packs after I scavenge the 38" leaf for the "F" codes out back. This mod was popular about 6-7 yrs ago on another forum. I've run across it several times but always discounted because I was after V/B code swap info. Once I realized I had F codes, I went back and found it
I'd much rather do a "V" code swap...but I refuse to pay the $$$ they want for new ones out here. Almost $700 for a set of used.
if nothing else, this will give me something to do for a few hours and the X a little altitude
I'd much rather do a "V" code swap...but I refuse to pay the $$$ they want for new ones out here. Almost $700 for a set of used.
if nothing else, this will give me something to do for a few hours and the X a little altitude
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
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From: SE Georgia
installed the "F" codes today out back. Ran out of time to do the front. I modded them per below.
and pics TowRig took of his mod. I didn't take pictures because I was booking it and needed to get done.
Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
Front of the Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
Close-up of the front edge showing the 38" leaf from the "G" codes integrated into the "F" codes. You can see the area where material was removed
Rear of the Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
The 38" "G" code leaf that gets modified
The 38" "G" code leaf after it's modified
Worked out great. Gained 2" over the OEM POS "G" Codes. WTF was Ford thinking with those?
So far I am very satisfied with the spring changes I have made to my X. However one of the things that has bothered me is that the spring forward of the rear axle rests entirely on the variable weight leaf giving it little "spring." There are those that have used the bottom leaf of the original X spring pack but this too bothered me since it is much shorter than the thick variable bottom leaf. Towrig mentions that the 2nd leaf is perhaps a good choice. As I was looking at the F code and the original X spring pack I noticed that the 3rd leaf fits almost perfectly between the think variable leaf and the 4th leaf that normally sits on the variable leaf. So I gave it a try. All I had to do is trim about 1/4 inch off the forward end of the leaf to be added and also remove the retaining bracket from said leaf. Pics are here.
The mods are the pics dated 4-15-07. The pics show the unmodifed F-code and the modified F-code with the added leaf. It also shows that now there is space between the bottom leaf and the thick variable leaf giving me some "spring" and a litle bit of travel. Originally I had added .66 inches of shims in the form of a piece of the original anti wrap leaf and leaf spacer but these I removed since the added leaf and the additional shim plus a shim on the very bottom of the spring pack add up to the same as what I had removed.
Since I first installed the F-code the rear of the X had dropped by 0.25 inch from 40.75 to 40.5. Now with the newly modified F-code I am at 41.0 inch. The ride is good and there is a little more spring. Perhaps this mod might solve some issues on towing with the F-code and perhaps this applies to the B-code as well.
The mods are the pics dated 4-15-07. The pics show the unmodifed F-code and the modified F-code with the added leaf. It also shows that now there is space between the bottom leaf and the thick variable leaf giving me some "spring" and a litle bit of travel. Originally I had added .66 inches of shims in the form of a piece of the original anti wrap leaf and leaf spacer but these I removed since the added leaf and the additional shim plus a shim on the very bottom of the spring pack add up to the same as what I had removed.
Since I first installed the F-code the rear of the X had dropped by 0.25 inch from 40.75 to 40.5. Now with the newly modified F-code I am at 41.0 inch. The ride is good and there is a little more spring. Perhaps this mod might solve some issues on towing with the F-code and perhaps this applies to the B-code as well.
Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
Front of the Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
Close-up of the front edge showing the 38" leaf from the "G" codes integrated into the "F" codes. You can see the area where material was removed
Rear of the Spring pack showing the 38" leaf from the "G" code leafs integrated into the "F" codes
The 38" "G" code leaf that gets modified
The 38" "G" code leaf after it's modified
Thread Starter
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
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From: SE Georgia
photo's taken with 1/2 tank of gas for the before shot. the after shot has about 200 lbs of tools and leftover springs in the back. I wouldn't be surprised to get another 1/4 to 1/2 of height with the B.S. removed
before rear drivers
after rear drivers
before rear drivers
after rear drivers
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So I'm browsing this morning and I notice the "modded F code" thread and I think "I remember doing that". Then I see my pics in there. Glad to see that info helped out. 6 years later and I'm still real happy with that combo.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
thx for the great pictures. they made the mod process very easy. I was going to throw the "slapper" bar on the bottom of the "F" codes stack, but my center pin bolt was only 4" long. I'd have needed a 5" long bolt for that.
figured if your setup was good without the slapper, then I really didn't need the extra 1/2" it would give.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
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From: SE Georgia
spent 6 hours at the shop today trying out several things with the front leafs. Ended up only using 1 of the leafs from the rear pack. my u-bolts weren't long enough for me to use the 2 leafs I really wanted to use
initially the front sat 1" taller with just the 1 leaf added. I did a bunch of speed bump runs and whatnot tonight testing. Will get some level ground measurements tomorrow and see how much the front actually came up.
btw:
Who's afraid of the big bad bump? Not this guy! The simple addition of the 1 leaf from the rear OEM "G" codes prevents any and all frame slapping. Ride quality is not noticeably decreased, and much much less body sway. Very happy with this mod
initially the front sat 1" taller with just the 1 leaf added. I did a bunch of speed bump runs and whatnot tonight testing. Will get some level ground measurements tomorrow and see how much the front actually came up.
btw:
Who's afraid of the big bad bump? Not this guy! The simple addition of the 1 leaf from the rear OEM "G" codes prevents any and all frame slapping. Ride quality is not noticeably decreased, and much much less body sway. Very happy with this mod
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From: Media PA
Great to see another successful Ex spring mod/swap, God knows they sure can use it! Those factory springs are less than amazing. Always cool to see a new (or old but unseen, as in this case) twist on things.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE Georgia
after it all settled out, I ended up only getting 0.5" up lift up front. I love the ride though. No change in quality, but the frame slap is completely gone.
I'm debating getting a 2" lift shackle...or going back in there with new u-bolts and adding more leafs from the old rears. I'm lazy, so the lift shackle sounds much better.
out back, I love the "F" codes. great ride quality, and it doesn't "ride like a truck". the ride is firmer than the OEM codes, but not really noticeable. I'm betting most people going from a factory X to mine wouldn't notice any change.
I'm debating getting a 2" lift shackle...or going back in there with new u-bolts and adding more leafs from the old rears. I'm lazy, so the lift shackle sounds much better.
out back, I love the "F" codes. great ride quality, and it doesn't "ride like a truck". the ride is firmer than the OEM codes, but not really noticeable. I'm betting most people going from a factory X to mine wouldn't notice any change.
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