I am thinkin of doing the v code front leaf spring with an add a leaf. For the rear I am thinking of a 4" block. Will the stock shocks work? I will eventually get some rancho 9000's but cant afford them yet. Also I wil be installing a hellwig antisway bar, do I need longer sway bar end links? I have a 2000 ex with the v10. Currently I have 285 tires but want to go to 315's. Thanks for the help

 

Lifting with stock length shocks will not work. Not sure about the helwig though. I beleive they are some what adjustable.

 

I think you'll be ok with the stock shock up front. I did the same with my V swap up front with a 'level kit' until I got $ for the Ranchos (used the stock size Rancho 9000).

 

BigBlue, Welcome to the EX forum and family!

As far as your desired spring swap/lift I have a couple of questions for you.
How much lift are you looking to end up with from this over stock?
Why a V code with an Add-A-Leaf vs X codes? How much extra lift and spring rate will the AAL add? A V code swap should yield about +1.77" of front ride height over stock, a W code will lift about +2.77" an X code will give about +2.90". Each one has a higher spring rate which will firm up the ride along with the extra height. Lift shackles will add height while keeping the same springs and ride feel.
How much rake (rear ride height vs front ride height) do want to have when completed?
Adding a 4" block to your current 2" stock block (not recommended) or swapping the stock 2" for a taller 4" block?
Do you or do you plan to tow with this EX? If so, what kind of trailer and weight? What gear ratio does this EX have? The V-10 makes it's best power at higher RPMs so it likes deeper gears, 4.30 is a very nice ratio for towing with these motors. Taller tires (315's = 35"-ish tall vs the stock 31.5" tires) reduces the effective ratio to a numerically lower ratio, so if heavy towing is also in your plans give some thought to gear ratio changes with taller tires. Another consideration with towing heavy is that the stock rear springs on these wagons are prone to axle wrap under load, any increase in leverage with taller blocks will only make that worse. Stronger rear springs from a Super Duty pickup will be a better setup for towing than a taller block.

If you are swapping in stock OEM springs from a SD pickup, then yes your stock shocks should be long enough. If going with the pickup springs AND extra leaves, (like I did) then you may need to look at slightly longer shocks to keep them from over extending in high articulation situations.
If you go from the stock 2" rear block to a 4" block then the rear shocks should also be OK length wise, unless you are doing some serious off road flexing.
If you are buying the current design Hellwig rear sway bar it comes with a set of very nice adjustable length end links, so you will be fine there, adjust to keep the bar ends parallel with the bottom of the frame.

 

Thanks for the replies. Tom, how much of a lift is on your ex? I think I want a 4" lift. I wouldnt mind a little bit firmer ride but I don't want a tank either. If I did the v codes and the shackles how much height would I gain? As far as rake I would like it level or just slightly lower in front. If I get the rear SD leafs would I still need a block? I want to clear 315/75/16 tires. I do pull a 6500lbs trailer. Right now I have 3.73 gears which I will change eventually to 4.30s.

 

Give some serious though as to exactly what you want to do with the EX and what kind of performance you want. We have members here that can jump in and help with all sorts of great advice, help and information. Many are also willing to get dirty spinning wrenched with you too, fill in your location in your profile so it shows in the upper right corner of each of your posts here, you might be close by one of your new EX friends!

 

thanks so much for all the helpful info