I've got my '04 X EB 6.0 4x4 in the shop for new rocker panels as the rust finally caught up & the factory running boards were falling off. I decided to do a bunch of updates I've been meaning to do for a while now (05 grill, bumper lights, new style side mirrors, seats, steering wheel, running boards) along with leaf springs. My springs, at 15 yrs old and 155k miles, were sagging.

I had grabbed a set of X & B code F350 springs (w/ no shackles) with low miles a few years ago that have been sitting in my garage. My plan is to do the Mod-B codes in the back, and going all new Energy bushings. I'm also planning to get 20" wheels on 35"x12.5" tires (probably Toyo ATII). I have done a bunch of the required reading here, and might have gone the Pro Comp route if starting from scratch now. I've got the springs though, so figure I should use them.

I have a set of the 4" F350 rear blocks, and looking to get the 2" hangers from Cary for the front, along with an adjustable track bar. Does anyone have a picture of there rig with the X/B code springs using 2" front shackles and the F350 blocks? I would just like to confirm how much lift and how level it will be. I basically want the minimum amount of lift to fit the 35's. Will also get a new set of Bilsteins, and new U-bolts. I am open to advice/opinion if there are other options I should consider on this install - more/less shackle, stock rear block, etc.

Am I missing anything, and any advice for anything else I should do while "under the knife"? I had the autobody shop check the body bushings, and they said they were ok. Thanks for input on the springs upgrade (and anything else). I had planned to do this myself, but the shop quoted me $800 for doing the leaf springs, swapping out my rotted fuel tank skid plate, and new trani-mount, so I said have at it.

 

first thing to do is post your current ride height by measuring from the center of the hub straight up to the bottom of your fender arch.
this way we are all talking about the same thing.

front
X code front has a spring rate of 470 lbs inch will set the front ride height at about 26"
D code front stock on a PSD has a spring rate of 330 lbs inch and ride height of 23"

rear
G code on a stock PSD has a spring rate of430 lbs inch and a ride height of 24"
the Original Mod-B code spring rate of 410 lbs inch with a stock block gives ride height of about 26.5"

So if I am understanding you correctly you want a 28" ride height and want to achieve this by adding shackles and bigger blocks to the X/Mod-B setup ?


fwiw, 35"s clear@26" with the added benifit of better handling overall than a 28" ride height.
my main issue against the X code spring is the spring rate is too high. as far as I have seen nobody offers an off the shelf shock valved for it.
but many find the Bilstein 5100 to be adequate for street use.

 

You most likely won’t need to go that high to fit 35’s. When we sell our X option in the front and either ATS modded C in the rear (or the B/C with larger blocks) popular tire size is 35x12.50

^^^^^. That setup puts the front to right around 26” and the rear right around 27” and you should be good with no or very minimal trimming needed for the front. Will depend on the offset of your wheel.

 

I'll see if I can stop by the shop and pull the hub center to fender height. I think ground to fender was at 37". I can't say I am targeting a specific height right now, just making sure I am doing things right (& learning as I go). My understanding is that the X-codes don't work well w/ the stock Excursion hangers. I believe the stock F350 hangers are 1" longer, and Cary recommends the 2" hanger, and I was going to get the Bilsteins valved by him. I was figuring that if the Modified B-codes with stock Excursion block in the rear sit pretty level with the V codes, that I will want the 4" blocks to get level with the X-codes & 2" hangers. I don't mind a little bit of rake, or level, but definitely don't want to be nose high.

For wheels, I originally came in with the plan of going with 285/75/18 and 18x9 wheels with a -12mm offset. I don't go mudding so I don't need huge tires, but do go on the sand & in the snow and I don't like the look of undersized tires. The wheels I wanted were out of stock, and while I waited I've been reading, emailed with Cary, looking at pics, and I'm leaning to the 35x12.5 on 20x9 wheels with the -12mm offset. If 35x12.5x20 offer a better ride than the 285/75/18 option, I'm in. I'd like to make my X ride as good as possible w/in reason, and, again, only looking for enough lift to properly fit a 35" tire. Of course I want it looking good too.

Looking at the breakdown pirate4x4_camo posted here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-rears-5.html, I would be all in on the Pro Comp set-up for @ $1,100.

Here's what I'm looking at now:
- Leaf Springs: already have
- Set of Bilsteins: $360
- Billet Track Bar: $260
- 2" Hanger Kit: $325
- New U-Bolts $170
----------------------------------
Total $1,115

I'm wondering now if I should scrap the X/B's I've got, and just go all in with Pirate's all new Pro-Comp set-up.

 

I just ordered the Pro Comp set up. I need to order the u-bolts and shims yet. Also wondering if I should get new bushings for the shackles.

 

1. have never heard x codes don't work with stock hangers, what exactly doesn't work well about it ?

2. everything else being equal those 18’s will give a better ride because of more sidewall. 8.4” vrs 7.5”

3. 26” ride height is more then enough to clear 35”
( fwiw i run 40’s @ 27” )

4. why do you need s $360 billet track bar ?

5. hard to say what you should do but your proposed setup doesn't really jive with your “best ride possible” objective.

 

1. Honestly, I don't know. When I mentioned the idea of using stock hangers and track bar, Cary advised against it mentioning front axle being centered and deforming the spring bushings. Not sure if that was only the track bar, or also the hangers. I had also read the F350 uses different 1" hangers than the Ex, and had assumed I should update the hangers.
2. Are you saying a better ride off-road, or over all, & as in a softer ride? I was thinking 18" originally, but was getting feedback that 20" will give the Excursion more stability on the road.
3. 26" sounds good. If I run X-codes on stock shackles & Mod-B's in back, will I need the F350 block in back?
4. That is just what I was quoted in the package of things for this job.
5. It is a bit subjective. Several members have been happy with the X/mod-B ride update. If I can go that route without dropping over a grand, I probably will. If I not, then I will look harder at the Pro Comp or what ATS has to offer.

Junior, are you using the stock hangers (or stock length) in front with those set-ups, and what offset do you recommend for 35's?

 

I’m with Pirate, never heard of the front hangers being an issue.

Our customers and we use the factory hangers with zero issues regardless of the what front code you go with or lift spring.

I run -25 offset on mine and has a little tire poke, nothing super aggressive but I think it’s nice. With that offset it put the tire in a not so great spot with the front valance. Little trimming and I was good.

 

1. me thinks its possible you misunderstood his point on shackles, either way Cary knows his stuff and is legit. he has his go to solutions and I have mine. his works, i just dont do shackles or blocks.

2. my metrics of “Better Ride” are scored on a long list of factors, short version is the balance between comfort and handling. you can always make one more prominent but it always comes at the cost of making the other one worse.

3. best to verify that but I believe guys at 26 are using the stock block.

final thought, if you like how Carys setup works then use it as he specs, same holds true for whomever setup you are coping. example being if you liked how my setup worked but used parts it isn’t likely to perform the same. the parts speced have been carefully selected, tested and changed during the development process. randomly switching parts is going to randomly change the results.

as far as several members being happy with their X/B-mod, I am sure they are, ( and good for them ) until they ride in something better or you ask them specifically what they dislike about the setup.

 

Mainly for clarification but how on earth does a set of X codes end up with 26” from axle center to fender lip? granted ive got an aftermarket bumper and my springs are 4 years old but I’m siting right at 24” and last I checked my measurement using Ford factory specs is within range from the leaves to the frame of the truck, if not slightly on the high side. Am I missing something big here?

 

great question, because I have not installed a pair myself I do not have first hand knowledge of the X code, I got the info from this thread, but I was also in a hurry. I will go back and verify 3 separate installs that used actual Oem take offs or motorcraft X codes. please add your suspension specs to the thread, it is good info to have

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14677330

 

Trying not to derail but I added my info and you’re correct, it seemed all the posts I saw of x codes from ATS all measured around 26”. Order what the heck is going on that I’m so low.

 

That is entirely possible - like I said, learning as I go. Cary has strong opinions, and is very helpful - he def. knows his stuff. I was just surprised by the additional costs considering I already have the springs - which I had assumed were the big thing. Live & learn. If I can simplify a little & keep the cost down, I will. If not, it is what it is.

This is starting to sound like boating - where 1 handling trait is often at the cost of another.

Ok, thx. I've seen that 26" # in a couple threads. Maybe I'll just go stock shackles & stock rear block. I've also seen a couple threads where front X codes on stock shackles netted 24.5" in front - which is likely a little tight w/ 35's w/out trimming.

Good logic. Right now, it seems my options are:
- Existing X/B w/ Cary's recommendation: 2" shackle & F-350 rear block Prob. 26/27
- Existing X/B w/ stock shackles & block (Save cost of hangers) - do you need an adjustable track bar in this scenario? Prob 24.5 F/ 26" R
- Pro Comp package.
- ATS Package

Fair enough. I'll just have out figure out which set-up will work for me.

Junior, it looks like your front X -code is getting a little more lift than the stock X-code by maybe an inch. Are people needing to trim with yours?

 

It will mostly depend on your wheel specs. Ran 35x12.50 on wheels that’s had very similar to factory wheel specs and the only spot there was rubbing was on the leaf spring at full lock.

 

my “guess” would be they are not really X codes,
if i recall correctly true ford X codes came as a special order item as part of the snow plow package so finding a set in a junk yard is not common, only other way to get them is order motorcraft through the Ford dealer. I would wager the aftermarket is full of imported springs that are sold as X codes but do not actually have factory ford x code specs.

post some pics of your setup and lets see what we can see.