Need new leaf springs
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
Need new leaf springs
Coming back from a trip to Colorado, the ride has gotten really rough. I've already replaced the shocks with Bilstein all the way around and that helped, but did not resolve the rough ride from bad springs.
05 Ex Limited 4x4 V10 - with a Warn 16.5 winch on the front on a WARN MOUNT that causes it to stick out front (probably part of the problem with that much weight out front)
I've talked to ATS. They recommend V springs up front and C springs in the rear.
No problem with that overall. Just a general question. I KNOW I've read someone here used a different company that ATS and they made the leaf springs with thinner leafs but several more of them. They wrapped each leaf spring so less noise? It also gave a much smoother ride.
Does anyone remember that thread? Are there pro's and con's of this type of leaf spring setup?
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
ALSO, I'm going to replace the front winch mounting set up with a new front bumper to allow that winch to tuck up under the truck so as not to have it 'hang out' so far forward. Another $1000 but it's on the list of things that will occur.
Thx
05 Ex Limited 4x4 V10 - with a Warn 16.5 winch on the front on a WARN MOUNT that causes it to stick out front (probably part of the problem with that much weight out front)
I've talked to ATS. They recommend V springs up front and C springs in the rear.
No problem with that overall. Just a general question. I KNOW I've read someone here used a different company that ATS and they made the leaf springs with thinner leafs but several more of them. They wrapped each leaf spring so less noise? It also gave a much smoother ride.
Does anyone remember that thread? Are there pro's and con's of this type of leaf spring setup?
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
ALSO, I'm going to replace the front winch mounting set up with a new front bumper to allow that winch to tuck up under the truck so as not to have it 'hang out' so far forward. Another $1000 but it's on the list of things that will occur.
Thx
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
For the ride improvement and to keep it off the bump stops along with the extra winch and mount weight I would go with the X codes from ATS. Then either a new set C codes or the taller blocks for the rear to even it back out.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
Tom,
Thanks for that input. I was wondering. The thing is, it's currently stock ride height with stock wheels and tires, and the V codes will raise it 1.5 inches as it is. Not what I was looking for. The truck does have air bag assisting the rear, so I figured that C code leafs would work.
How much more lift will accompany the X code leaf springs? 1 inch or more means 2+ inches. Just not what I'm trying for, but I do want the best set of leaf springs.
Thx Tom
Thanks for that input. I was wondering. The thing is, it's currently stock ride height with stock wheels and tires, and the V codes will raise it 1.5 inches as it is. Not what I was looking for. The truck does have air bag assisting the rear, so I figured that C code leafs would work.
How much more lift will accompany the X code leaf springs? 1 inch or more means 2+ inches. Just not what I'm trying for, but I do want the best set of leaf springs.
Thx Tom
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
And larger wheels and tires.
So I opted for the V code fronts like he suggested. The thing is, 3" lift is too much for my wife to get into the truck. It's one of the reasons I sold my Suburban three years ago. She was tired of 'climbing up' into my last one.
But it was a 'heavy half' which gave it the 3/4 ton running gear/suspension pieces w/o being a 3/4 ton truck. It's one of the reason I went with the Excursion.
I'm hoping the 1" - 1.5" lift from the V code springs won't cause too many problems.
So I opted for the V code fronts like he suggested. The thing is, 3" lift is too much for my wife to get into the truck. It's one of the reasons I sold my Suburban three years ago. She was tired of 'climbing up' into my last one.
But it was a 'heavy half' which gave it the 3/4 ton running gear/suspension pieces w/o being a 3/4 ton truck. It's one of the reason I went with the Excursion.
I'm hoping the 1" - 1.5" lift from the V code springs won't cause too many problems.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Altoona, PA
And larger wheels and tires.
So I opted for the V code fronts like he suggested. The thing is, 3" lift is too much for my wife to get into the truck. It's one of the reasons I sold my Suburban three years ago. She was tired of 'climbing up' into my last one.
But it was a 'heavy half' which gave it the 3/4 ton running gear/suspension pieces w/o being a 3/4 ton truck. It's one of the reason I went with the Excursion.
I'm hoping the 1" - 1.5" lift from the V code springs won't cause too many problems.
So I opted for the V code fronts like he suggested. The thing is, 3" lift is too much for my wife to get into the truck. It's one of the reasons I sold my Suburban three years ago. She was tired of 'climbing up' into my last one.
But it was a 'heavy half' which gave it the 3/4 ton running gear/suspension pieces w/o being a 3/4 ton truck. It's one of the reason I went with the Excursion.
I'm hoping the 1" - 1.5" lift from the V code springs won't cause too many problems.
on the lift aspect...how much lift the x code provides varies based on your current state of the springs installed now. Three inches is doubtful and considering the winch and v10 which would be about on par with a diesel weight I would say you'll see 1-2" of increase over stock springs.
maybe you could help out the wife getting in and out. You'll look like a hero with your new found gentlemanly ways... Lol...and you'll have the springs that should have come with an excursion from the get go. X codes.
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
I had the same problem you did when I drove across railroad tracks and hit bumps. I got some V/B codes with a mystery add a leaf up front and the bottom line is that I ended up with V/B springs with an X/C code lift. I modded the B code springs in the rear as per the instructions found everywhere and kept the factory block in the rear. I ended up with 3 inches of lift overall and it really wasn't bad at all.
I said all that to paint a picture for you and tell you that based on what you're saying, you'll benefit more from the X codes up front.
Before:
The day after I lifted it:
After the front springs settled, factory rake:
I said all that to paint a picture for you and tell you that based on what you're saying, you'll benefit more from the X codes up front.
Before:
The day after I lifted it:
After the front springs settled, factory rake:
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
Well, I ordered and they have shipped the V codes for the front and the C codes for the rear. I'm just trying to get it back to stock ride height. Hopefully this will do it.
I'll post on how well it worked after it's all done.
THANKS for all the input.
I'll post on how well it worked after it's all done.
THANKS for all the input.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
My mechanic only has one lift that is large enough to lift big trucks. He had a tranny rebuild go south on him. So I had to wait while he sorted that out.
THEN got my Ex on the lift and did the spring swap.
Doesn't seem like it lifted it too much. THE RIDE IS SUPER now.
My mechanic told me to let the suspension settle for three or four weeks and then take it in for a front end alignment.
Very happy with the results. OUR next trip to CO will tell the tale. Probably within the next month or so. I'll post the results after that trip. I'm hoping for positive results. That's what I've gotten with every part replaced/upgraded on this truck.
The Ex just keeps getting better and better.
Love this truck.
THEN got my Ex on the lift and did the spring swap.
Doesn't seem like it lifted it too much. THE RIDE IS SUPER now.
My mechanic told me to let the suspension settle for three or four weeks and then take it in for a front end alignment.
Very happy with the results. OUR next trip to CO will tell the tale. Probably within the next month or so. I'll post the results after that trip. I'm hoping for positive results. That's what I've gotten with every part replaced/upgraded on this truck.
The Ex just keeps getting better and better.
Love this truck.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lost in the past
OK, got the truck last week. It rides perfect. HAVE NOT hit a bump stop yet. I even have ridden over some bad pot holes I would normally avoid with zero issues.
Kind of nice having it ride correctly.
Kind of nice having it ride correctly.