Need some help with this puzzle
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Need some help with this puzzle
Hey guys! This is my first post and my first heavy duty ford.
My brother is all about them, and he actually has a super duty parts truck that he said I can have anything I need off it. It has a factory lift block in the back that is about twice as big as mine, and the front suspension looks the same as mine.
Will I benefit at all from the front?
And should I swap the block only in the back, or the springs as well?
I'm trying to fit some 35's under it. So I'm fairly certain that I have the rear covered, but is there anything I can do about the front with the parts I have? Or should I get a shackle hanger for the front to lift it up?
And would it be a really bad idea to put the rear block from my ex on the front axle to lift it? Or would that not even work?
Just trying to think outside the box....
Thanks for the help!
My brother is all about them, and he actually has a super duty parts truck that he said I can have anything I need off it. It has a factory lift block in the back that is about twice as big as mine, and the front suspension looks the same as mine.
Will I benefit at all from the front?
And should I swap the block only in the back, or the springs as well?
I'm trying to fit some 35's under it. So I'm fairly certain that I have the rear covered, but is there anything I can do about the front with the parts I have? Or should I get a shackle hanger for the front to lift it up?
And would it be a really bad idea to put the rear block from my ex on the front axle to lift it? Or would that not even work?
Just trying to think outside the box....
Thanks for the help!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Welcome to FTE!
Best thing you can do is get the numbers off of the front leaf springs and post it here to try to determine what they are.
Never use any type of block in the front!
The superduty rear block is compatible with the excursion and will net you 1.5 inches of lift in the rear. You will need new u-bolts.
Shackles are a great cheap way to accomplish a mild front lift, but first let's figure out what's on the superduty so we can estimate the lift you can get out of them on your Ex.
As far as 35's I don't know what back spacing you would need, some will will chime in I'm sure. I have a 5inch lift and had to trim a little so they wouldn't rub.
Best thing you can do is get the numbers off of the front leaf springs and post it here to try to determine what they are.
Never use any type of block in the front!
The superduty rear block is compatible with the excursion and will net you 1.5 inches of lift in the rear. You will need new u-bolts.
Shackles are a great cheap way to accomplish a mild front lift, but first let's figure out what's on the superduty so we can estimate the lift you can get out of them on your Ex.
As far as 35's I don't know what back spacing you would need, some will will chime in I'm sure. I have a 5inch lift and had to trim a little so they wouldn't rub.
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Okay, I'll get those numbers once I get back home.
So if I'm only getting 1.5" of lift in the rear from the blocks, is it looking like I'm going to need some other source of lift to clear the 35s?
If so I'll just get a 4-5" lift and not have to fiddle around with swapping all the parts from truck to truck.
So if I'm only getting 1.5" of lift in the rear from the blocks, is it looking like I'm going to need some other source of lift to clear the 35s?
If so I'll just get a 4-5" lift and not have to fiddle around with swapping all the parts from truck to truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
On my previous excursion I had the super duty v code front springs and rear f350 blocks and got about 2 inches of lift up front and if not mistaken 1.5-1.75 inches with the rear blocks. Again I'm not saying 35's are out of the question but I know wheel back spacing will play a big role.
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From: Media PA
If you have the complete parts truck there just check the door jamb sticker to see what the factory spring codes are on it, thats the most reliable way to ID the springs. It's a pretty common thing for us EX owners to do spring swaps from SD trucks, they had better spring packages from the factory than our EXs did. My EX has a modded X/modded B code spring swap from an F-350 and I have 4" of lift using all Ford parts, was very cheap to do also, I'm now running 35.24" tires with very minimal rub at full lock. There are several different spring options on the SD trucks so check that sticker and let us know what springs are on the parts truck, you may be in luck!
And LivingLarge has it right, don't ever run blocks on the front axle!
And LivingLarge has it right, don't ever run blocks on the front axle!
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If you have the complete parts truck there just check the door jamb sticker to see what the factory spring codes are on it, thats the most reliable way to ID the springs. It's a pretty common thing for us EX owners to do spring swaps from SD trucks, they had better spring packages from the factory than our EXs did. My EX has a modded X/modded B code spring swap from an F-350 and I have 4" of lift using all Ford parts, was very cheap to do also, I'm now running 35.24" tires with very minimal rub at full lock. There are several different spring options on the SD trucks so check that sticker and let us know what springs are on the parts truck, you may be in luck!
And LivingLarge has it right, don't ever run blocks on the front axle!
And LivingLarge has it right, don't ever run blocks on the front axle!
I couldn't find anything on the leaf springs, and it doesn't have a drivers door. I'll look again for the sticker on the chassis, but I didn't see anything
Do you know where the lettering would be on the springs?
Also, should I swap just the rear block, or the springs too?
Thanks again for y'all's help!!
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From: Media PA
I couldn't find anything on the leaf springs, and it doesn't have a drivers door. I'll look again for the sticker on the chassis, but I didn't see anything Sucks that the door is missing, that is the easy way to see the spring specs. But your local Ford dealer should be able to run the VIN and see what the factory springs were. Should be something like VV/BB where V is the code for PSD front springs in a SD and B codes are the rear F-250/350 springs, both an improvement over stock EX springs.
Do you know where the lettering would be on the springs? Sometimes we can decode the springs from the numbers stamped into the steel, sometimes not.........They really aren't part numbers, just some kind of crazy engineering number from ford.
Also, should I swap just the rear block, or the springs too? Typically the truck rear springs are an improvement over the factory EX rears and there are a few tricks to mod them for different desired goals, such as just wanting a lift, fixing a wandering EX, towing heavy or carrying a lot of interior weght. I would suggest that you read this excellent post from the Ex tech folder at the top of this forum https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6722938 This thread and others in the tech folder will make for good reading for anyone considering a spring swap. I know it helped me make my decisions when planning my swap.
Thanks again for y'all's help!!
Do you know where the lettering would be on the springs? Sometimes we can decode the springs from the numbers stamped into the steel, sometimes not.........They really aren't part numbers, just some kind of crazy engineering number from ford.
Also, should I swap just the rear block, or the springs too? Typically the truck rear springs are an improvement over the factory EX rears and there are a few tricks to mod them for different desired goals, such as just wanting a lift, fixing a wandering EX, towing heavy or carrying a lot of interior weght. I would suggest that you read this excellent post from the Ex tech folder at the top of this forum https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6722938 This thread and others in the tech folder will make for good reading for anyone considering a spring swap. I know it helped me make my decisions when planning my swap.
Thanks again for y'all's help!!
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Reps sent to WE3ZS for all his help with a new member! 
EDIT: Dangit, it wouldn't let me but I tried. I apparently have to spread the reps around a bit first.
EDIT: Dangit, it wouldn't let me but I tried. I apparently have to spread the reps around a bit first.
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From: Media PA
Stop, You're making me blush!
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Well i could only find some stamping on the bottom of the leaf spring and all it says: "F81A AEB
RPN1348"
I dont know what any of that means. But it is a 1999 F350. Im not sure if its an early or late 99. There isn't much left, just the interior, and suspension pretty much. no engine or trans. So im not sure what else i can identify it with.
I'm just trying to lift it up a little bit. i already have 35s on there and it fits fine, id just like to make it sit higher and level.
Thanks again for yall's help. Its greatly appreciated
RPN1348"
I dont know what any of that means. But it is a 1999 F350. Im not sure if its an early or late 99. There isn't much left, just the interior, and suspension pretty much. no engine or trans. So im not sure what else i can identify it with.
I'm just trying to lift it up a little bit. i already have 35s on there and it fits fine, id just like to make it sit higher and level.
Thanks again for yall's help. Its greatly appreciated
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
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From: Media PA
Well i could only find some stamping on the bottom of the leaf spring and all it says: "F81A AEB
RPN1348"
Unfortunately those numbers don't match up with anything I have on my lists. Do you know what motor the truck had in it? The deezles are heavier than the V-8s and V-10s so their springs were heavier. Almost any SD spring will be an improvement over the Ex stock springs, our EXs came from the factory riding about 2" lower than the same year SuperDuties did. And if the parts truck was an oil burner and your EX is a gasser the improvement would be even better. Did you read through the link to the spring swap thread from the Tech Folder I posted earlier? You really should, it has a lot of excellent info about this topic in it.
I dont know what any of that means. But it is a 1999 F350. Im not sure if its an early or late 99. There isn't much left, just the interior, and suspension pretty much. no engine or trans. So im not sure what else i can identify it with.
As I mentioned earlier your Ford dealer may be able to give you the spring codes from the VIN, I'm not positive how far back they have the ability to lookup such details.
I'm just trying to lift it up a little bit. i already have 35s on there and it fits fine, id just like to make it sit higher and level.
The factory Ex springs are far from great and plenty of us EX folks have upgraded our rides with various combinations of the truck springs. It's a popular mod to swap in a set of the truck rear springs with a couple of the EX's leaves added to the pack, or use the taller lift block or a combination of both, like I have. Most truck front springs are better than what Ford gave the EXs and they too can be modded by addition of an extra leaf or two scavanged from either the truck or EX spring packs, my front truck springs are also modded in this way.
Thanks again for yall's help. Its greatly appreciated
RPN1348"
Unfortunately those numbers don't match up with anything I have on my lists. Do you know what motor the truck had in it? The deezles are heavier than the V-8s and V-10s so their springs were heavier. Almost any SD spring will be an improvement over the Ex stock springs, our EXs came from the factory riding about 2" lower than the same year SuperDuties did. And if the parts truck was an oil burner and your EX is a gasser the improvement would be even better. Did you read through the link to the spring swap thread from the Tech Folder I posted earlier? You really should, it has a lot of excellent info about this topic in it.
I dont know what any of that means. But it is a 1999 F350. Im not sure if its an early or late 99. There isn't much left, just the interior, and suspension pretty much. no engine or trans. So im not sure what else i can identify it with.
As I mentioned earlier your Ford dealer may be able to give you the spring codes from the VIN, I'm not positive how far back they have the ability to lookup such details.
I'm just trying to lift it up a little bit. i already have 35s on there and it fits fine, id just like to make it sit higher and level.
The factory Ex springs are far from great and plenty of us EX folks have upgraded our rides with various combinations of the truck springs. It's a popular mod to swap in a set of the truck rear springs with a couple of the EX's leaves added to the pack, or use the taller lift block or a combination of both, like I have. Most truck front springs are better than what Ford gave the EXs and they too can be modded by addition of an extra leaf or two scavanged from either the truck or EX spring packs, my front truck springs are also modded in this way.
Thanks again for yall's help. Its greatly appreciated
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Thank you so much for the info!
It is a diesel, so I guess I can just add the spring to my spring pack to lift it a bit up front. My rear is perfectly fine and doesn't even come close, the front is what I have a little scrubbing with.
And one more question, should my truck have a factory steering stabilizer?
It is a diesel, so I guess I can just add the spring to my spring pack to lift it a bit up front. My rear is perfectly fine and doesn't even come close, the front is what I have a little scrubbing with.
And one more question, should my truck have a factory steering stabilizer?
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From: Media PA
Adding a leaf to the front pack will help, swapping the diesel's springs should boost it up a little also, PSD SD trucks all had better front springs than the EX got. Adding a leaf to the diesel's front pack may just give you room for those 35"s.
If you do the fronts and then find it looks a bit droopy in the rear that can be easily fixxed with the taller SD rear block.
Yes, your Ex should have a factory steering stabilizer.
If you do the fronts and then find it looks a bit droopy in the rear that can be easily fixxed with the taller SD rear block.
Yes, your Ex should have a factory steering stabilizer.
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Oh okay cool.
Mine didn't have one, I actually just installed one yesterday and it helped some of the wobble I was getting.
I'll post up some pics once I swap the front springs.
Thanks again for the help! I really appreciate it!
Mine didn't have one, I actually just installed one yesterday and it helped some of the wobble I was getting.
I'll post up some pics once I swap the front springs.
Thanks again for the help! I really appreciate it!
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