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Firstly, I hate you guys. This spring swap is some kind of initiation ritual isn't it? Well, I'm halfway done. Lol. I'm actually kidding, I don't hate anyone here. This has been a fun yet frustrating project so far.
I started last night as a casual evening and ended in some epic body soreness. Air tools were my friend. This was also a learning adventure. Pb blastering the front spring eye bolts really didn't do anything. I broke one impact socket, and then broke out the grinder. Bolts are cheap compared to nice impact sockets.
Overall, this is a massive improvement over stock. It looks like it should have, and it drives like it should have. I have always favored a more aggressive suspension, so keep that in mind.
Note: This mod does bring this up to a truck stance/handling. If you like the stock ride, do not go X code/ C code. These are quite literally Ford F-450 springs. Final results aren't in yet, but it looks to be an easy 2.5" of lift all around. More updates to come.
Before
Spring difference between what I pulled off and the used X codes.
Torches go a long way towards freeing stuck bolts. Fwiw I did mine in a driveway with all hand tools. I just have some big breaker bars and quality sockets.
I only really had problems with those spring eye bolts. I will give the torch a try when I do the rear. Sounds like it just needs to be heated enough to loosen up that locktight.
Torches go a long way towards freeing stuck bolts. Fwiw I did mine in a driveway with all hand tools. I just have some big breaker bars and quality sockets.
x21,947,013. Did mine with hand tools and large breaker bars as well. Right down to cutting the u-bolts down with a hacksaw after final torque's as the power had gone out, so no angle grinder lol.
PB Blaster definitely helped, however I started a daily ritual spray three weeks prior to actually doing the swap. I missed two bolts, and it was brutally apparent when I got to them that I had done so.
I wash my truck a lot in winter and do the underbody wash as well. That's the real secret. Lol. Trying to keep everything from rusting up in the first place. But the bolts that have locktite, even a propane torch could not get them hot enough. The oxy ace got them hot and you could both hear see and smell the thread locker burn off. After that they turned out easy. I bought new bolts for thirty or forty bucks and use a carbide tipped long Diablo sawzall blade and cut the front spring bolts off once I loosened them enough to get the bolt head back off a half inch. Definitely would do the same if doing again. A punch and a 2 lb drilling hammer go a long way too.
Before: Front Left: 38 1/4" Front Right: 38 3/4" After: Front Left: 41 1/8" Front Right: 41 1/2"
Good Lord... I'm getting ready to swap my V/B-mod for X/C-xl from Junior at ATS. Going to be retaining my 2" drop hangar kit as well. Now I'm hoping I won't be swapping even more stuff for the height gain, ugh.
x Code/ATS C with With Extra Leaf Swap
