Sorry to hear about the death in the family Housedad, hope your wife is doing okay.

Again I cannot thank you enough for your insight on this matter especially since it seems to be a subject that has been covered extensively but I'd not seen this level of detail in any other thread. Considering the decreased height gain using the U codes instead of the V's do you think the stock X spacer could still be used in the rear with the B codes vs. switching to the F350 spacer to maintain the stock rake or perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between these 2 spacers?

 

i'm going to use the stock spacer but the b codes will lift the rear some and i'm going to add the cutoff anti wrap bar to the b spring pac that should give me .5 inch i will most likely not be adding to the b pac like housedad only because i think the springs wouldent lay properly on the bottom spring under heavy load. hopefully the parts will be here by friday

pete

 

As Icecold said, the cut off windup spring is a good way to get height. It is .66 inches thick.

The B code will give you about 1/2 inch of rise over stock without the windup spring spacer and still using the OEM thick spacer block. This would give about 1.16 inches of height to the EX rear. Not quite enough. if you want to match the V's. Maybe good enough for the U's. The Ex has a slightly higher rear anyway, and the windup spacer may be just enough to level out the EX.

One idea that I had entertained, and I may still experiment with, is to use a ProComp 1 inch aluminum spacer block under the B codes and no extra leaves. This would give 1.66 inches of height without altering the B codes. If you do get the ProComp block, make sure it is the 3 inch wide one with the correct pin diameter. The ideal way would be to make a 1.25" block from aluminum or steel. Then the rise with the OEM block and stock B codes would be 1.75 inches. A 1.5 inch block would naturally yeild a 2 inch rise.

In any event, any block over 1 inch should be a tapered block to reduce or eliminate any possible driveline shudder from the axle pinion angle changing during accelleration.


Bion

 

I will be ordering the U/B codes tomorrow. Are there any torque specs on the leaf spring eye-bolts and u-bolts? I didn't notice any specified in the 'supermotors' step by step process.

 

I used U fronts and A rears. Also with the F350 block to keep the rake. Now both ends are up 1.75 inches

 

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 border=1><CAPTION>From the 2003 Ford Service manual for Excursion




Torque Specifications Front Suspension

</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>Description </TH><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>Nm </TH><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>lb-ft </TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front spring-to-axle U-bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>133 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>99 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front spring-to-spring hanger nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>275 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>203 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front spring-to-shackle nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Spring hanger-to-frame bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>103 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Spring shackle-to-frame nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar-to-front spring spacer bolts (LH side only) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>55 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar-to-axle assembly bracket bolts (RH side only) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>55 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar-to-link nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>109 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar link-to-bracket nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>109 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>80 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front shock-to-upper shock bracket nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>103 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front shock-to-front spring spacer nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>103 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Jounce bumper-to-frame bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>40 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shock absorber upper mounting bracket-to-frame bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>103 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Track bar-to-upper mounting bracket nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>550 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>406 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Track bar-to-lower mounting bracket nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>550 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>406 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shackle bracket assembly-to-frame bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>90 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>66 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar bracket-to-frame bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>47 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front driveshaft-to-pinion flange bolts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>102 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>76 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Front hub and bearing-to-knuckle nuts </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>74 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>55 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Tie-rod end-to-front knuckle nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>70 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Lower ball joint nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>204 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>150 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Upper ball joint nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>94 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>69 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 border=1><CAPTION>Torque Specifications Rear Suspension</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>Description </TH><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>Nm </TH><TH vAlign=bottom align=middle>lb-ft </TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left colSpan=3>Super Duty F-250, F-350 Wide Frame </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Leaf spring-to-axle U-bolt nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Leaf spring-to-front spring hanger bracket nut and bolt </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Leaf spring-to-rear shackle nut and bolt </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Rear shackle-to-frame mounted bracket nut and bolt </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>250 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>185 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shock absorber-to-frame mounted bracket nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>62 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shock absorber-to-axle bracket nut and bolt </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>62 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>46 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shock absorber bracket-to-axle U-bolt and nut (Ford axle) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>55 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>41 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar retainer bracket-to-axle bolt (Dana axle) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>40 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>30 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar retainer bracket-to-axle U-bolt and nut (Ford axle) </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>47 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>35 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar link-to-frame nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>70 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>52 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stabilizer bar link-to-stabilizer bar nut </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>70 </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle>52 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

For sure, if you are not adding firestone airbags like I did, the F350 tapered spacer block is the easiest way to go.

By the way, how do you like the A codes, aklim?

 

ExcursionDad --

You have a PM with some more info.

 

Like them so far. Going to cut the last leaf a little becaue it hits the exhaust. Then the front section of that same leaf so i can install the Landyot RR.

 

I finally decided on and have picked up the U/B code springs from Ford. I wanted to double check that with the stock Ex spacer in the rear I will keep the same or be very close to the same stance/rake as with the original springs??? Or will I need to take a leaf from the stock spring pack and add it to the B's along with the stock spacer?? I hope to install this weekend. Any advice will be very much appreciated.

 

I guess I missed this thread while I was on the road in April or I would probably have added my .02. I towed my 6000lb. TT from S. FL to Las Vegas and back with my new V and F codes and it went very well. I was very satisfied with the ride. My main objective was a softer ride and I would not be satisfied with it if it was stiffer or harsh. Granted my unmodded Fs look a little W shaped but that doesn't seem to affect the job they do. Maybe the fact that they touch the second stage in the front allows it to help the first stage leaves as designed. When you add leaves to the upper stage of the pack to keep it from ever touching the second stage big leaf on the bottom you have increased the first stage rate and never take advantage of the second stage rate on the bottom. I do have concern that as my Fs age and sag I may have to add a leaf, but for now I'm a happy camper.
Ben
Before and after pics: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558111238bzRiOW
________________________
03 EX Ltd 7.3PSD 4x4, Vs & Fs, Helwig, Rancho RS9000X

 

excursion dad
could you post or pm me the part numbers you purchased as i kinda got sidetracked and havent ordered yet.just like to check the numbers i have and see if they match.also did you order longer u bolts??or are you using the old ones??

thanks
pete

 

This is what my local Ford parts guys came up with. Hope this helps you.

Front U Code - 2c3z-5310-ga
Rear B Code - 3c3z-5560-cb

Front U-Bolts - f81z-5705-za
Front Nuts - n805480-s426

Rear U-Bolts - n804420-s436
Rear Nuts - n620485-s441