edit…. if bottoming out was a regular occurrence then you're shocks are very suspect. you should rarely if ever bottom out the rear
yup. an Air spring effectively becomes part of the primary rate in normal applications since it is always attached, the great part is the rate is infanetly adjustable to match the payload.
set correctly is should not bottom out other than in do or die hits.

the best way to set up a air spring is to remove several leafs from the bottom of the leaf pack to reduce the rate and then set the pressure to just level the vehicle for daily driving.
note… be sure to have your headlamps adjusted if you do this.
this provides the best possible ride since you are not over springing the vehicle by adding additional rate to the existing rate.

knowing the existing rate has to allow for maximum payload the rate is already higher than required for daily driving empty, so reduce the rate from leafs Then only add air to increase the spring rate as needed for your paYLOAD.

MOST aftermarket air spring installs miss this point and are set up less than ideally.

 

credit to Freak for starting it. it was an off topic subject from another thread and I didn't want to derail that thread.

Thanks for the props, just sharing my passion for the excursion and my background in suspension design/setup.
some will learn, others will scoff but it's there if folks want it.

 

Your extensive knowledge is what makes FTE the best place for info.
Thanks again Pirate.

 

People like you, with that magic combination of passion, experience, and a willingness to share it... are what makes FTE a forum worth visiting.


(haha... talk about "freakified"... @z31freakify and I cross posted the same thing at the same time)

 

Pirate- Thanks for all your info you have posted previously with your suspension knowledge. I share your passion with regards to the Exs as well.

Wondering if I can ask for your expertise in the springtime on my Ex. My plan is to take it off the road and do a minor overhaul on it( body, suspension and mechanical). Two years ago I had the unfortunate mishap of one of my front leafs cracking in half while on my way to the cottage. I had the local garage replace them with two new sets of "F450" front leafs. I now suspect that they are more likely F250 leafs.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-spring-2.html

I do have an F350 2005 parts truck which I plan on using the rear leafs for the rear. I also have a set of air bags I purchased recently as I also plan on adding an air compressor to my Ex as I find when you are in remote northern Canada you are basically on your own. I would like to raise the front an additional inch or so and get the back end up with a slight rake.
I tow 8-10 times a year with the heaviest being approximately 7000 lbs.
Once I start on this project I will start a new thread to document and assist others.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

Pirate, the only thing you could do better for FTE members would be to come over and help us install the parts Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and knowledge - much appreciated.

 

Monomax shocks are a good choice - I used those on a conversion van and made a big differrence. I used the Rancho 9000XL on our 2wd drive Excursion as well as air bags when towing our camper as they are adjustable. They were a nice set of shocks.

 

Running the air pressures on the Excursion door placard will guarantee a short life for your tires. A tire with a max of 80 psi run at 45 will just wear away both edges, typical under-inflation wear.
The same soccer mom shock valving applies to the low air pressures.
What are the recommended tire pressures for the front of your work F250? Split the difference between the two and experiment until you feel satisfied.

 

any time Rob, just hit my PM box when you are ready.

 

that sh**ts heavy and i am old
well old enough that i dont do it on the ground any more. i put 2 lifts in the shop so i dont have to crawl on the ground working on my own junk,

 

Thanks Pirate. Will PM when I get set up and time.

Rob

 

X2

It's also good that he challenges our "assumptions" . Men need some iron on iron... so no one should see it as anything other than imparting wisdom = his experience.

 

I lurked here for years before posting, at some point I had enough of reading excursion myths and voodoo fixes based on repeating what a cousins uncles brothers friend did to fix it and started sharing what I knew personally from actually doing it. there was so much misinformation on suspension related stuff it was maddening. along the way I like to think I learned as much as I have shared my experience.