My front springs are shot; sagging and the rear (flat) bushings have been missing for some time... the lower leafs are almost worn all the way through where they pivot on the upper leafs.

The X Codes seem to be a popular upgrade... aside from them being a cheap "lift", why does everyone go with these?

How is ride quality effected? The stockers are already pretty rough off-road - I assume the X Codes would be even more stiff?

How much do these lift the truck? Being that my springs are shot and sagging, I imagine it would lift the front end up some, but would this be more ride height than the truck had new?

Really, I want the Old Man Emu kit but am trying to justify the cost. A set of new front X Codes from SD is about $200 and a full OME lift kit is closer to $1800. I hear the OME kit rides way better than stock, however.

 

IMO you should first be aware that aftermarket springs are not directly comparable to OE springs. If any shop tells you otherwise, I would call several others before spending any money.

I would call ATS at 215-799-0900 and ask for Junior "specifically": he has an Excursion with a 7.3L and IIRC an F250 or F350 with a 7.3L so he is very familiar with our trucks. Be prepared to answer a few detailed questions about what you want the end result to be. Also, he will ask about the shape of the top of the u-bolts that attach the front axle to the springs. They will be either semi-round or flat. That information is pertinent due to the bracket that sits on top of the front axle that the shock attaches to.

When I called them about a year ago I talked with someone other than Junior and was steered towards X codes even though I tow heavy. I was impressed with the X codes while the truck was empty but was underwhelmed with their performance when fully loaded. I called again and this time I spoke with Junior. He stated that if I had spoken with him initially, he would have advised me to purchase something like an X code Plus for up front. He then resolved the situation and I added a leaf that he sent out the same day. I am very satisfied with the new setup and it did not make the ride noticeably harsher while it did stabilize the truck both empty and loaded. It now has the equivalent of an approximate 2" lift which I really did not want due to the accompanying CG difference but our choices are somewhat limited with leaf springs.

I would rely on him to help you make the decision due to his personal knowledge and familiarity with our trucks.

 

Best bet is convert to coil front suspension and the longer rear springs from an 08-10 F250. I'd love to go that route.

 

Because it's a cheap lift, they are the springs Ford put on the Snow Plow package on the 250/350's, and they don't ride rough ("rough" being a subjective opinion).

Way too subjective for any of us to describe it with much accuracy. What is stiff or rough for one person is a fine handling machine to another. Spongy and soft to one is a perfect ride for another.

But you said your stockers are shot, right? So it's not from being too stiff, it's because they no longer work to specs.

I was gonna say....

....that, ^^^^ up there.

Years ago, the online Excursion community came up with their own work-around to the crappy suspension Ford put on the 4x4 Ex. A member over at TDS back in '04/'05 put F250 springs on the Excursion with great results. Several others did the same with excellent results (I was one of them) and one in particular (CaryT) who had tried a couple different lifts (IIRC), tried the SuperDuty springs and liked them so much he (like Clay when he started out here) started selling Excursion suspension packages using F-Series truck springs and Bilstein shocks.

For quite a few years now the aftermarket spring companies have learned about this upgrade the Excursion community created and tailored some of their marketing directs detailing this info.

ATS is a supporting vendor here at FTE and Junior has helped a lot of folks with their suspension needs.

I do love the coil spring setup, but there's really no benefit to go to the longer '08+ leaf spring out back, based on info I've read here at FTE.

Stewart

 

What does the coil spring conversion entail? Is it a full axle swap?

I'm sure there is a functional brain or two at ATS but after my last call, I would't trust those guys to change my oil let alone suggest modifications. The last kid I talked to there claimed he regularly got 30 MPG in his OBS with big hybrid injectors. Right.

Also, for what it's worth, I have an ARB bumper and a Warn winch that total an extra 400+ lbs hanging off the front end. Probably not quite as heavy as a plow, but not far off either. Let's just say the truck sat about 1.5" lower once those were installed.. Perhaps this is my answer, go with X Codes....

 

Yes.

Call ATS and talk to Junior. He posts here on the forum and he's not an idiot at all. He has helped many a member here with their suspension needs.

I'ma kinda thinking you answered your own question.

But seriously, call Junior. When I redo my Ex springs, since I no longer have my local Ford discount, I planning on calling Junior and ordering from him

Stewart

 

Yes and a new set of late model wheels. It's a bit of work and cost but a nice upgrade considering the better design, tighter turn radius, bigger brakes, better wheel bearings. It's best to get a donor truck and swap everything one time is my thought. In the end, a new set of springs is your best bet. Junior offers high arch V code springs and other ideas that can help get you where you need to be.

 

And the rear axle too.

 

1. I was more than a bit frustrated when after installing the X codes the springs bottomed out with a loaded GN weighing about 16k or with about 2k loaded in the bed. However, Junior solved the problem mostly on his dime. I paid about 1/2 the cost of what the additional spring would have cost if I had received accurate information and ordered it initially. Junior covered the cost of shipping. Adding the additional springs took about an hour per side.

2. The addition of the ARB bumper and Warn winch is exactly why I think that you will be very unhappy if you "go with X Codes". Again, today's X Codes are not the equivalent of X Codes from 15 years ago. I am not certain as to why.

Experience = learning from your own mistakes. Training (successful) = learning from the mistakes that others make and not making those same mistakes yourself.

 

The genuine 'X' code spring should be available through Ford. SD Spring claiming that the 43-818 is an 'X' code spring is a false claim. ATS sells what I believe is the exact same spring and they may all be made in Mexico at this point. ATS also sells a 43-818HD which may be more up your alley. I found them to be knowledgeable and very helpful and they can modify your spring pack to suit your needs.

 

Front end swap sounds like an ordeal, I think I'd sooner buy a nice, quiet 6.0 truck and bulletproof it.

I don't haul a lot of weight and am only looking at front springs. I'll try the X's and see how they balance out the front end with my big heavy bumper.

Thanks for the advice!

 

 

i can say if you are going with todays x codes that ain't from Ford & only have a 2 leaf stack u will not be happy because with that big bumper & winch cause of all that weight. others are trying to give you the same info. you will need a three leaf stack at min. adding that bumper & winch out front is also shifting weight from the rear w the front axle & tires & springs acting like the pivot point on a seesaw.---with weight transfer is probably more like 600 pounds. gotta buddy that would not listen either and had to do it again.

 

I went with 2 spring X-Codes from SD and am happy with the results for the price. I wasn't looking for a lift. It rides about the same as before and I have new Bilstein shocks.

The truck rides a tad higher, maybe 1" in the front... than it did before adding the bumper/winch.

Here is a shot of my old springs wear for reference:

 

Hello, i have 2019 f-450 lariat ,looking for some help on suspension help ,my cabover camper dry weight is 5000lbs,loaded about 6000lbs would like to put helper leaf springs but cant find anything for this kind of weight.Any one know of anything out there.Please help thanks Scar