I want some honest opinions on whether a spring swap is worth the money and time to make the ride better and less harsh of ride. I currently have a completely stock 02' 7.3 4x4 Excursion with 204,000 miles. I have been reading a lot on the spring swap and really want to know if it's worth it for the sole purpose of ride and keeping the front off the bumpstops. I don't tow enough to justify it for that reason , and could live without the lift portion because I use it for a daily and family hauler. I experience some sway but not terrible ,but I do believe my shocks are shot as well and I have hit the front bumpstops a few times over railroad tracks. I know there are a lot of threads out there but just looking for the help on the ride end of it. I want the best possible ride I can get out of it.

Thanks

 

I think everyone that has done the spring swap from the wore out stock Ex springs to whatever else they pick has been very happy with the results.

As far as your requirement for less harsh of a ride, I'm not sure if the spring swap will be your cup of tea as most people report the vehicle "riding like a truck". Which is what most of "us" want from the Ex in the first place.

From my understanding, the original intent of the stock springs was for a more soccer mom friendly ride and to fit in a garage.

 

I was in the same position, trying to keep the truck off the front bumpstops. Tried new shocks, first Rancho 900xls, then Bilsteins, neither accomplished this. Eventually talked to Junior at ATS, and he hooked me up with the new springs all around. Absolutely no bumpstop contact now, sway non existent even when towing, and even towing my 10k plus TT no rear end squat. It does ride a little more like a truck than with the stock springs, but I prefer it. So if the soft stock ride is important, you may look into new stock springs. Hope my experience helped. Good luck!

 

I appreciate the immediate response ! I previously had an 01 Superduty crew with a 7.3,4x4 and it definitely rode better than my new to me Ex. I know it didn't have X codes , so would it have had the V/B codes? If that's the case I would've OK with that ride and if it cured the bumpstops issue that would be an added bonus. Does ATS sell a comprehensive spring kit?

 

speak to Junior at ATS and he'll sort out whatever questions you might have.

The V/B code swap isn't for everyone and he might be able to tailor something more to your liking.

 

Sessland it kinda sounds like that's what I need to do. Maybe like you said Junior has better recommendation or alternative than the V/B swap. Do you have any pics of your Ex and what size wheel/tires are you running? Thanks

 

My Ex is a POS and hands down the Ugliest Ex on the forum....I apologize if I lead you to believe otherwise

I'm in a similar boat as you. My front springs are literally flat. If I had any bump stops left I'm sure the springs would be sitting right on them.

I have only 2 "mods", my tall lift gate struts and 2 led license plate lights

I also have stock tires and the cheap-O 8 hole factory rims, nothing to see here.

I've daydreamed many a times about an ATS Spring swap but between my junk car and the US -> Canadian exchange rate, I'd be a fool for wasting the money.

I keep looking for another Ex that's not so run down and wouldn't be a waste to put new parts into...but no luck or too much $$$

 

I've got X/C from Junior on mine and it rides like my stock F250 with V/B did. The Excursion is a bit heavier than pickup so the same spring will ride softer in an Excursion than an F-series.

If you're concerned about "lifted and harsh" I can tell you that is not the case at all. I know how harsh lifted trucks can be, these springs ride just like a stock F-series and stand just like a stock F-series.

 

seijirou thanks for your reply as well, do you have pics of yours? What kind of shocks do you run with your swap?

 

Measure from the center of your hub to the bottom of the fender arch and we can determine if your springs are sagged.

Typically on the Ex the harsh ride is caused by worn out shocks which allow the spring to contact the bump stop when you hit a hole or bump in the road. if your springs have sagged the problem is exaggerated since you will have even less wheel travel.

Doing a spring swap will give your suspension more travel which means you can hit bigger bumps before the suspension bottoms out, of course more travel also increases the vehicle ride height. The "truck like" ride comes from the shocks people install not the springs. You can have the same mushy ride as the Ex had from the factory after doing a spring swap if you use a shock with light valving but most people like a shock with firmer valving because it improves the handeling charteristics of the vehicle.

 

pirate4x4_camo I just went out and measured here are all four corners from center of hub to bottom of wheel arch:

Driver's front-22"
Passenger's front-22 1/2"
Driver's Rear-23 1/2"
Passenger's Rear-24"

I have also attached some pics, and it looks like my bumpstops are gone from the front completely which concerns me more that it's hitting frame basically. Shocks look stock to me , but hard to see numbers without crawling under and cleaning them. Driver's front
Passenger's front
Driver's rear
Passenger's rear

 

When your ex was delivered from the factory it had 23" front and 24" in the rear.

1/2" or so of sag is normal an should be expected. More then that I would recommend a new set of springs since the Ex only has 5" of travel to begin with each inch is critical. (FYI....The F trucks have 8" of travel) I would measure yours again after you move the vehicle and compare to the first measurement since 1/2" variance can be from sitting a little crooked or if you made a turn right before parking.

Yes those shocks look original and even when they were brand new they sucked. Replace them and install a new set of bumpstops and at least your harshness will be taken care of.

 

 

You mention wanting the best possible ride out of it but do not give any criteria for what "best" means to you.

Personally I think the stock shocks that ford equipped the Excursion with were far to soft as they were clearly trying to attract the urban soccer mom buyer but obviously that is a subjective thing.

I find a firmer shock gives the Ex markedly better handeling charteristics while only sacrificing very little in comfort.

The bilstien 5100 series is a popular choice but only available in lengths for a lifted Ex

The bilstein 4600 is used by many stock height Ex owners. it is a monotube design like the 5100 but More of a stock replacement as it lacks the firmer valving of the 5100. Ok shock but pricey for what it is.

Rancho 9000 has an adjustable **** allowing you to choose the firmness of the valving and I like the product but have a hard time recommending it because of the problems they have been having with the adjuster mechanism corroding in salty road environments. I wish they would get this figured out.

" KYB Monomax " is a performance orientated monotube shock with firmer valving and made for stock height Excursions. I would compare their valving setup with the bilstein 5100. They are also considerably less expensive which is a bonus.

rockauto.com had a decent selection of the above.

 

Fwiw, Here is the bump stop you want
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-523-08.../dp/B00Z7NRK08