Hello to all,
I'm going to have my springs replaced on my 2005, 6.0 X I'm being told to replace with F250 springs. I'm seeking community input if this is the way to go as well as what to expect with F250 springs. Of course I will be replacing the shocks as well. While doing research I see the part numbers for a F250 is a different from from the part numbers for an Excursion. How does one determine correct shock to be used. The truck is driven on highway and surface roads with intermittent towing.

 

It really depends on what your intentions are for your vehicle and how wore out your current springs are. What are your center of hub to wheel arch measurements?

 

Thanks for the response. The springs are shot. Complete teeth jarring bottom out of front end on road imperfections of 2" or somewhat rough railroad crossings. All driving is on surface roads and highway. Tow almost 2 ton boat (tongue weight unknown) 500 miles once or twice a year. Front measurement is 22" and rear measurement is 24". Looking for a comfortable ride on long drives. Sometimes 1,400 miles and a lot of 500 mile trips.

 

I have a 4x2, 6.8 and went with the Ford OEM Z codes with Bilstein 4600s for the front. Raised the front end by 1”. These are the stiffest front coil springs and are for the F-350. This new combo is actually less jarring than my old worn out stock setup. Firm, but not stiff.
For the rear, I used a set of B codes from ATS and my old RAS dialed in at half strength. Since this boosted my rear end by 2 1/2,” I used the Bilstein 4600s made for the 4x4. Since the 4x4 shocks allow for the added height, they work perfectly. I think the B codes are replacements for the F-250. I think.
The best move I made was to contact Junior at ATS, who suggested this setup, since I already had the RAS.
According to Bilstein, the only difference between the 4600s and 5100s is the length. For me, the best move I made was to call Junior.
Good luck.

 

Excellent. I will contact Junior. I just spoke with him a few days ago when researching spring replacement. I didn't think about the shock issue until after speaking with him. I really appreciate you taking the time to helping me solve my conundrum.

 

You are welcome.

 

There are two schools of thought around here regarding spring choices. I'll call the "F250 springs" the "old school" of thought, and the "new school" is the Procomp 22210/22415 that folks are using now. I see several problems with the modded super duty springs, and if you see pictures of them, you'll see why. Here's what I'd say based on what I've read/seen/experienced:

1. ATS springs (Junior) has taken VERY good care of MANY X owners and offers a solution.
2. Your measurements in the rear are stock height and your front has sagged 1".
3. The reason your having bottoming out issues is probably because your bump stops are gone and the stock springs are a short travel spring to begin with.
4. Your rear springs are sitting at the proper height but they too are short travel springs. Make sure your bump stops are in place and serviceable.
5. The modded springs will give you some lift, but the rears especially will sit on the overloads, thereby increasing your spring rate significantly. Not necessarily a good thing, but some folks like it that way. There's a thread here with measurements of all sorts of setups.
6. The procomp setup is a medium travel spring and will set your ride height at 27" all the way around.
7. The procomp setup spring rate is very close to the stock X spring rate (not exact, and I don't remember exactly what it is).
8. Make sure your shocks are serviceable and they control your ride quality. I like KYB monomax for a stock height X and at 27" I run the Bilstein's. I like them now, but they are absolutely a stiffer ride vs. the KYB.
9. If you're interested in mostly highway use and some towing, you might be better off just replacing the fronts with stock X springs, updating your shocks, and making sure your bump stops are in order.
10. From a cost perspective, the procomp and ATS solutions are largely the same cost.

Just my two cents. I've never ridden in an X with the modded SD springs in it, so I don't have personal experience there. I did experience the bottoming out of my stock springs, but I was towing a camper through the UP down a back country dirt/sand road. I ran a set of KYB Monomax for right around 100K miles and they did great. I now have the procomp setup with no rear sway bar and 27" ride height running Bilstein's. I'm fine with the ride quality now, but it is definitely stiffer and feels more like a truck these days. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

 

Thanks for all the info. I see I have a lot of research in my future. I live in the U.P. and can relate to the back roads. At almost 70 it's getting interesting climbing in and out of the truck and want to keep height as close to stock as possible. Thanks for the bump stop suggestion I will have to check. Sounds like doing the font springs and replacing the shocks might be my best option.