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Rear end sag

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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 03:32 PM
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Rear end sag

It seems I have some sag in the back of the 2000 EX...I measured from road to the top of the wheel cutout and the front is an inch higher. So, I'm gonna check the air in the rear tires first and measure again. I wonder if I have weak springs...If so, I could add a leaf I suppose, but do they still make those(I think we called them shackles?) things to lift the rear end for wide tires like in the pre muscle car days?

Or my mind could be gone!

I am guessing excessive tongue weight did it as it only has 125,000 miles, and replacement shocks, not that THEY cause sag.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 05:02 PM
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For future reference, we tend to take our height measurements from the center of the hub to the fender lip. It eliminates variances in tire pressure, diameter, road lean (which can cause the body to lean slightly), etc.

Add a leaf and shackles are two completely different animals... An AAL is a solitary leaf that basically forces the rest of the pack to conform to a new profile. Personally I have never been a fan, as I have never seen an AAL last longer than a year and a half before it starts to sag and takes the rest of the pack down with it. I've always opted for replacement packs for the extra monies.

Shackles can be found all over the place, but I haven't seen any for the rear of a rig in quite a while. I'm not super well versed in suspension in the aftermarket however, especially not on this platform. Another alternative to get you by would be the tapered Super Duty block which is, if I remember right, another 1.5" over ours.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 05:50 PM
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Charly, take look at this thread. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...easurents.html


Add your measurements to the thread if you can, the more info there the better for future members looking to make some changes.


Is your EX a 2WD? If so, it doesn't have any rear blocks, so adding the stock 4X4 EX 2"-ish blocks that would give you some rake. But only if you are totally happy with the current suspension (other than the squat), both while running solo and towing the TT. If you do want to make some actual spring changes to the rear there are several options, but being a 2WD rig (I think your is....?) you have to be careful about how much you raise the rear because the front suspensions on the 2WD rigs is a real challenge to modify without going with a full lift kit.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 06:00 PM
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I had a very low tire but they are all at 60 now, and here are some pics. Measurements are within 1/2 inch with my quick and dirty measurement. But the pics look different


 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 06:07 PM
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Keep in mind, the roof line does taper down towards the rear. As such it can attribute to the appearance of excessive rear sag. Seeing as how you're now only off by 1/2", it just sounds and looks like normal wear and sag honestly. Can't argue the measurements being what they are, no doubts with that. I'm just of the opinion that you have a 126k mile Excursion and original suspension.

Following up on Tom's suggestion, there are options for swapping the rear springs out and not gaining much lift. Razzi just did a B-mod rear on another member's 2wd and added new coils and a small spacer. The entire setup retains the factory rake of the 2wd, but now it sits about 1.5" higher on all four corners.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 06:49 PM
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You could add the RAS (roadmaster active suspension ) to the rear. It gives extra support and helps give a bit of lift, reduces sag from cargo/load, and it is adjustable.
I can carry 6 adults with luggage and not have rear end drouping.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 07:24 PM
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We bought our 2002 2wd 108k V10 last year to tow a trailer which has 1k tongue weight. First thing I installed was stock F250 rear springs which raised the rear about 1/2" and strengthened up the rear for the tongue weight. The tongue weight would drop the rear end about 1 1/2". Because of the roof line tapering toward the rear and I wanted a little bit of rake I added a set of 1" lift blocks. Now when the trailer is hooked up it only sets down about a 1/2" lower than level in the rear - measured along the running boards to ground.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Krazee Matt
Razzi just did a B-mod rear on another member's 2wd and added new coils and a small spacer. The entire setup retains the factory rake of the 2wd, but now it sits about 1.5" higher on all four corners.
Is there a write up on this? I've been contemplating a rear spring swap in my 2WD (see the "Spring Swap Question" thread). I would be curious as to the coil and spacer part numbers and where he bought them. I would love for my Ex to sit the 1.5" higher without putting a FabTech or ProComp lift on for over a grand.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 08:08 PM
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Begins here and wanders on

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16176240
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 08:16 PM
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I don't need any extra height. I like the idea that my hitch ball is straight out and not dipped down an inch or two like on the trucks. But level would be nice too. How much should 500 lbs tongue weight load it down? I wouldn't think all that much but what do I know? My TT is in storage and hard to get to, but we'll be taking it out to Banning in September sometime.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 09:11 PM
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Your pics look off because they are not level.

I took the pic and cropped it and then measured from the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender lip on the front and back wheels and by my SWAG the rear of your excursion sits 1/2" higher the the front.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlyG
I don't need any extra height. I like the idea that my hitch ball is straight out and not dipped down an inch or two like on the trucks. But level would be nice too. How much should 500 lbs tongue weight load it down? I wouldn't think all that much but what do I know? My TT is in storage and hard to get to, but we'll be taking it out to Banning in September sometime.
To steal an old Car Talk line that's just a little under two Mother In Laws, so if you put a couple sitting on the back edge that should roughly equal 500 lbs on the hitch.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlyG
. How much should 500 lbs tongue weight load it down? I wouldn't think all that much but what do I know?
Originally Posted by Gene Horr
To steal an old Car Talk line that's just a little under two Mother In Laws, so if you put a couple sitting on the back edge that should roughly equal 500 lbs on the hitch.
I know my mother in laws rear end sags


Excursion has a rear spring rate of 420 lbs inch. therefore 500 lbs will compress the rear spring roughly 1.2 inches ..... mother in laws results may vary
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlyG
I don't need any extra height. I like the idea that my hitch ball is straight out and not dipped down an inch or two like on the trucks. But level would be nice too. How much should 500 lbs tongue weight load it down? I wouldn't think all that much but what do I know? My TT is in storage and hard to get to, but we'll be taking it out to Banning in September sometime.
You have mentioned that your TT runs about 6,000lbs, so the tongue weight should be about 800lbs (13%). But a lot of that should be handled by the WD hitch once properly setup.
Check out this recent thread where member Ben Tylka just got his WD sorted out and is only getting 1/4" squat with 1060lbs of tongue weight. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
 
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 09:58 PM
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I haven't used any WD bars since I had a Suburban (a TON of sway). The 3/4 ton part seems to work just fine. The dry weight of the TT is 5125 lbs.

I seem to remember being told if the trailer and EXC(when I was told I had an F350) stay level after hooking up, I don't need WD. Of course that was 10 years ago and well, let's not go there!
 
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