Excursion Handling
FTE *******
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Your looking at load capacity on the springs. The spring stack still is not twisting up on these excursions like many guys tend to think. I know on mine the issues are related to the front end. I do have 4" blocks on the rear, F-350 springs, and no "slapper" or radius rods...and no overload springs. I only pull 13K lbs, so that may explaine why I never noticed the axle wrap you all see...I dont know. I pulled the trailer fine with stock springs but the rear end sagged to much, and I wanted 35" tires....so I went to F-350 V-codes to get height. I never did have axle wrap....but again, I tow awfully light at 13,000 lbs compared to what I am sure you are all pulling...lol...
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by fordtrkpuller
I pulled the trailer fine with stock springs but the rear end sagged to much, and I wanted 35" tires....so I went to F-350 V-codes to get height.
I never would of thought of putting F250/F350 Front springs on the rear of my X.
FTE *******
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Well, I got the equiv rears that came on a truck that had V codes, all four corners got new OEM springs from the dealer, and I got the 4" blocks from 4wheelparts with Ubolts. I was able to reuse the stock shocks, but the over extend on hard bumps, I really need to swap them to a 4" lift shock, at least on rear for sure.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by fordtrkpuller
No drilling. I got a Helwig bar from SummitRacing last summer and put it on our 2000 Ex. It is a direct fit bolt on. My issue was that even with red lock-tight my upper and lower link bolts came loose a few times. It seems like I screamed them tight with red locktight the last time and the lossening stopped.
As to the bolts, I think I am going to wait a week and then double nut all the nuts to ensure they don't come loose
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Just put on the Hellwig sway bar on my 2000 Ex. I wish I had done this 5 years ago when I bought it. It is like night and day on how it handles now. Why Ford never put them on in the first place is beyond me. I did it in my garage without jacking up the truck, no problems at all. I did double nut and use loctite on the non locking nuts. Took me 1 hour.
Thanks for all your input.
You are right about the directions they could be a little clearer and the pictures are way to dark. Ordered mine form JC Whitney on Sunday night and received it today. $158 plus tax, and shipping.
Mark
Thanks for all your input.
You are right about the directions they could be a little clearer and the pictures are way to dark. Ordered mine form JC Whitney on Sunday night and received it today. $158 plus tax, and shipping.
Mark
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FTE *******
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
If you have a stock one...I dont think I would change it. The differance will be a small amount of change.....hardly a major change at all. A sway bar prevents body lean/roll... if your not seeing this issue, forget about it. It makes your rear suspension so that if one side tries to lean over, the bar forces the other to lower with it. It does not increase load capacity, nor does it make your spring wrap/axle wrap issues better or worse. In severe off road use the sway bar is not only not desired, its a terrible thing to have. I have a set of home-made sway bar disconects on my Samurai, it lets the axles walk thru 2' deep ruts and over sheer drops without a tire lifting off the ground. Pull a couple pins and the truck acts like a yoga master....re pin it and drive home. They have a use, and they have a benefit on the road for sure.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by fordtrkpuller
Well, I got the equiv rears that came on a truck that had V codes, all four corners got new OEM springs from the dealer, and I got the 4" blocks from 4wheelparts with Ubolts. I was able to reuse the stock shocks, but the over extend on hard bumps, I really need to swap them to a 4" lift shock, at least on rear for sure.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Cincy, OH
Originally Posted by SledHauler
I got to them using the part number from his description. Just enter it in the JC Whitney search
#ZX503522R
#ZX503522R
Fords4Me, you mentioned free shipping and less 10% also. Is there a promo code I'm missing? I just tried and showed estimated shipping ($14) and no discount. Thanks...
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
I had an open order and added it to it. I had a code but I dont remember. Maybe search the web for codes. Got the shocks (4 RSX), the sway bar, the T bars, and a 12vdc VCP all 10% off and free shipping. I'll look at the catalogs tonight and see if there's a good code.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Paisley, OR
I replaced my rear factory sway bar with a Hellwig. It is better, but I wish I would have put on the traction bars instead. If anyone wants my factory sway bar, you can have it for the shipping cost. It would be better than none at all.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, RI
Originally Posted by dnroberts
I replaced my rear factory sway bar with a Hellwig. It is better, but I wish I would have put on the traction bars instead. If anyone wants my factory sway bar, you can have it for the shipping cost. It would be better than none at all.
