Suspension change
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Barberton
Suspension change
I'm sure this has been asked before, I assume one of the older members will link a thread thanks in advance. What is the best kind of suspension to change my old rusted up ones with, I'm not looking for air bags or active suspension just as of yet, just looking for recommendations on the shocks and leaf spring for the moment that isn't going to break the bank but will eventually pull a 9500 ish camper, I have the 2000 ford ex rwd v-10 limited
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
What about what you have makes you think they are bad? In stock form adding good shocks and airbags would probably be sufficient assuming you are not wanting a lift, bigger tires or your springs are not work out. It also depends on what you mean by rust.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
I agree, and with a 9500 lb TT on the hitch I’d start looking at a set of airbags to combat the squat, a RWD EX doesn’t have very far to go before really looking low in the rear.
If you do have a million miles and the springs are in fact sagging as shown by center of hub to wheel well arch measurements, then I would recommend a set of factory replacements on the rear. The RWD is a tricky beast to add any small amount of lift to.
What gears goes the EX have to handle that big TT? Stock sized tires on the wagon? Which WD hitch system will you be using and are you comfortable with its proper setup?
If you do have a million miles and the springs are in fact sagging as shown by center of hub to wheel well arch measurements, then I would recommend a set of factory replacements on the rear. The RWD is a tricky beast to add any small amount of lift to.
What gears goes the EX have to handle that big TT? Stock sized tires on the wagon? Which WD hitch system will you be using and are you comfortable with its proper setup?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Barberton
I have no issues with the height I'm not looking to lift, I'll get pictures tomorrow to show what it has but I believe it's all stock but I'm thinking the leafs are about flattened out and I'm pretty sure the rear shocks are eaten through with rust, this excursion is newer to me, I dont believe the prior owner took the best care of it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Barberton
I agree, and with a 9500 lb TT on the hitch I’d start looking at a set of airbags to combat the squat, a RWD EX doesn’t have very far to go before really looking low in the rear.
If you do have a million miles and the springs are in fact sagging as shown by center of hub to wheel well arch measurements, then I would recommend a set of factory replacements on the rear. The RWD is a tricky beast to add any small amount of lift to.
What gears goes the EX have to handle that big TT? Stock sized tires on the wagon? Which WD hitch system will you be using and are you comfortable with its proper setup?
If you do have a million miles and the springs are in fact sagging as shown by center of hub to wheel well arch measurements, then I would recommend a set of factory replacements on the rear. The RWD is a tricky beast to add any small amount of lift to.
What gears goes the EX have to handle that big TT? Stock sized tires on the wagon? Which WD hitch system will you be using and are you comfortable with its proper setup?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
just picked up a haul master as well as a sway control bar, I'm sure it's not the best but it has a 10 k rate, the springs in the front are fine for now, when I replace the buckets I was just going to wire brush them down and replace those shocks , any recommendations for what to spray the springs with? At the moment I believe the gears are 3.73 so the standard, eventually will be changing those as well, I have stock size tires, there the KO2s .
You can use pretty much any paint on the springs I think, even though they do flex the movement is spread out over the uncoiled length, so not much localized movement. You seem to be fighting a good deal of rust so I think a good rust encapsulator should be part of the plan and then maybe a coat of Fluid Film or the like.
Do you have the TT already? If so, what is the year, make and model? 9500lbs sounds like a pretty big trailer. Do you have much towing experience with a big TT like that? I’m asking because a larger TT behind the short-ish wheelbase EX can be a handful in some situations. For that reason I always recommend a higher tier WD hitch system with built-in sway control at the least. Those add-on friction based sway control bars can only provide so much control and are a better match to shorter lighter trailers.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Barberton
You can use pretty much any paint on the springs I think, even though they do flex the movement is spread out over the uncoiled length, so not much localized movement. You seem to be fighting a good deal of rust so I think a good rust encapsulator should be part of the plan and then maybe a coat of Fluid Film or the like.
Do you have the TT already? If so, what is the year, make and model? 9500lbs sounds like a pretty big trailer. Do you have much towing experience with a big TT like that? I’m asking because a larger TT behind the short-ish wheelbase EX can be a handful in some situations. For that reason I always recommend a higher tier WD hitch system with built-in sway control at the least. Those add-on friction based sway control bars can only provide so much control and are a better match to shorter lighter trailers.
Do you have the TT already? If so, what is the year, make and model? 9500lbs sounds like a pretty big trailer. Do you have much towing experience with a big TT like that? I’m asking because a larger TT behind the short-ish wheelbase EX can be a handful in some situations. For that reason I always recommend a higher tier WD hitch system with built-in sway control at the least. Those add-on friction based sway control bars can only provide so much control and are a better match to shorter lighter trailers.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Barberton
Front driver
Driver rear
Front passenger
Passenger rear
already planning on replacing the buckets, and as someone else told me to check the manifold bolts while I have it apart, and see if I can replace the windshield wiper fluid reservoir because I'm very sure it cracked during the winter.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
Before you go too crazy fixing things I would take a small hammer and go around and check the frame. That has a lot of rust on it. It looks like it was undercoated at one point also, which if not kept up and touched up can trap moisture under the undercoating. No point in going to crazy if your frame is suspect. It might not be limited to just the spring buckets. The springs themselves do not look to be impacted by the rust.
It also looks like your rear diff is leaking
It also looks like your rear diff is leaking
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
towing itself no not much experience on that end, I have driven much heavier vehicles such as a armored truck but not tow unfortunately, and no dont have the TT just yet, been a complete pain trying to find one that fits the needs of my family need a double bunk, and room for pups, I know there is going to be a giant learning curve I'm diving into. Safety is my number one concern hence why I'm fixing up the ex and not just slapping on a solo hitch and driving around.
If you are shopping for a bunkhouse TT with a GVWR in the 9500lb range and over 32’ in length and value safety and control I would recommend returning that new Haul Master WD hitch with add-on friction sway control bar while you can. Hold off on a WD setup until you find the right TT, then if it doesn’t come with a good higher end WD hitch shop for an Equalizer or Dual Cam type system, one of those will work much better than what you have now. The last thing you want is to have a big TT misbehaving behind you when trying to make some good memories with the family. With fuel prices going ballistic I think there will soon be lots of truck and campers on the used market, along with maybe some used WD systems, keep an eye out for good deals, I found my Hensley Arrow for $650 used 11 years ago, it been an excellent WD hitch system upgrade ever since with over 50K towing miles so far.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
speedracernc
2007 - 2014 Expedition & Navigator
1
Aug 1, 2016 10:59 AM
NoMo
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
1
Dec 13, 2001 10:35 PM