2000 Excursion 4WD 7.3L PSD with 148K miles.

Front springs are shot (bump stops have been bumped off and I've got about an inch between the frame and bump stop pad)--planning on replacing, leaning toward X codes.

How much clearance should I have between the rear spring bump stop and axle/pad?

If I replace the fronts with X codes and leave the rears stock, will I be out of level and "nose up"?

Also, see a lot of guys use Bilstein 5100s but those are pretty spendy. Opinions/alternates?

Thanks!
jkpq45

 

just because the bump stops are off the frame doesnt mean the springs are shot, in fact it more often then not means that your shocks are not up to the task.

the only way to know for sure if the springs are actually sagged to a point of needing replacement is to measure.

the quick way is to measure from the center of your hub straight up to the bottom of the fender arch at ALL 4 corners.
stock was ABOUT 23" front and 24" rear

post up all 4 measurements on yours and we can advise from there.

since shocks determine ride quality I base my recommendations on what spring rate and tire size you have along with your desired ride quality and vehicle usage. Bilstein 5100 are popular but most certainly not right for everbody or every application.

 

Ahoy mr. pirate4x4_camo,

Here are my heights from center of hub up to bottom of fender arch:

Driver front: 22+3/16"
Passenger front: 22"
Driver rear: 23+5/8"
Passenger rear: 23+7/8"

I have stock 265/75r16 tires now but want to upgrade in the future to a larger highway terrain tire--potentially a 295 or 305? Something approaching 34-35" tall, haven't picked one out yet. 95% of use is on blacktop, 4% on gravel/dirt roads and 1% in mud. So no need for crazy M/T tires here, although they sure look cool.

 

Per my measurements, do I need new springs on all four corners? Just the fronts?

Can I solve the problem only with airbags up front?

If I move forward with 22210 in the front, and leave the rear springs as-is, will my ride height be level or will the rear be lower than the front?

Which shocks for all four corners?

Sorry for the noob questions, I'm a bit of a novice.

 

as my own guideline and using the hub to fender measure method I think 1" of sag is the limit and means replacment time. as a rule you should replace springs in pairs.

a 22210 in front is going to put the measurment at 27"

which shocks depends on the tire size you are running.

stock size tires I recommend the KYB monomax.

ask again in the future when you have selected your tire size as there may be new shock options for heavier tires. currently the bilstein 5100 is popular

 

Tire size will be a max of 285/70R17 for the foreseeable future (these are 32.8" tall vs. 31.6" tall for stock). What shocks would you recommend (hopefully made in the USA?)

What will the appropriate ProCompUSA spring be in the back, 22410? I assume that will make my hub-wheel arch measurement ~28"?

 

Still looking for an answer to this question, also are the KYB Monomax Made in USA?

 

My 22415s landed me at 27" rear, removing the block. It makes the truck look a touch nose-high, though both front and back measure at 27".

I used Bilsteins, which I believe I recall are not made in the USA.

 

I just checked the boxes for the MonoMaxes I have waiting to put in the girlfriend's Bronco, they say "Made in Japan". I know that sometimes different part numbers - even within the same product line - can come from different manufacturing facilities, but I that's all the solid data I have for you.

 

A couple of years back, but I did the same thing

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...f-springs.html