Allright guys,

I did the v code swap on the X about 4 months ago, because I was hitting bump stops on bouncing all over the place. I replaced them @ 94k on a 2000 V10 4x4 (duh). Well then the rear was low (was expected), Didn't really care though. I did care that I was feeling every bump so I upgraded from bilstein (replaced @ about 70K), to new rancho style up front (9000 series). Well w/ new up front the truck was smooth up front (unless big bump), then a bucking bronco out back. Decided I was going to get new shocks out back to match. Well rear being lower, I put a 1.5" block to bring it back up and got shocks to match. I also put a hellwig on @ sametime. Everything except for springs done w/ in last 2 months. This thing is all over the place. On big bumps it is horrible, I hear a sound in the front just before the front pops up from a bump (like springs setting in place). My QUESTION is what can I do to better the ride??? Is the V10 to lite? Not enough weigh on the springs until gravity kicks in a bump. I have messed around with the adjustments from 1 to 4, no joy. I LOVE the X even @ 105K, but at this point I seem to be just chasing one problem after another. My pregnant wife is giveng me the evil eye @ this point. The X is on the verge of being booted, for an EXPY. I do NOT want this to happen, but @ this point I cringe when I see a dip ahead of me in the road. Please HELP.

I do remember I went w/ the springs so I could put a heavy ranch hand up front, would that help (giving more weight). I just dont want to keep throwing money if its not going to help. Any advice/ insight would be very grateful.

 

Okay...let's break this down a bit. Your post had lots of info!

So far your mods are V-codes up front and block in the back with stock springs. The truck is damped with Rancho 9000's all the way around and you installed a Hellwig in the rear.

Problem as I see it is that you have spring rates that do not "match". That's not saying that front and rear will always have the same spring rate. I'm saying that you are using a combination that doesn't seem to compliment each other.

I would ditch the blocks and use and add-a-leaf out back. You'll get a better match out of the rates. The rear springs are too soft anyway.

The popping could be a number of things ya know, right? Check the sway bar links and bushings, check the cab mount, check the u-bolts holding on your new springs etc. etc.

 

Did you stack the 1.5" block on top of your OEM block? I mean, I think you would have had to, because the OEM block is larger than 1.5" and you added the 1.5" block to raise the rear.

If so, that's part of your problem.

Another part of the problem was already addressed by Monsta, that being, you kept the rear stock springs.

I replaced the front and rear springs on my Ex with stock, F250 OEM springs (the infamous V code B code upgrade) and along with the Hellwig rear sway and Bilsteins all around, my Excursion is nimble as hell for a big beast.

Not disregarding Monsta's suggestion of add-a-leafs, but in my opinion, you'd have a better chance at rectifying the bucking bronco problem by replacing the rear springs with some F250 springs.

To me (strictly my opinion) something like add-a-leafs are just a band-aid to dampen the problem. No matter how well the band-aid works, the problem still exists.

By replacing the springs, you've completely eliminated the problem.

Again, that is strictly my opinion, based on my interpretation of the Excursion wander problem, and how my own Excursion handled after doing the upgrade. It is not based on any empirical data whatsoever.


Stewart

 

what Stewart said about the blocks makes sense. I did as he and replaced my rear blocks w/ 3.5" F350 blocks, along w/ the V and B springs. The ride quality is much improved over stock and the truck stands about 2" taller. I also have Rancho RS9000X all around w/ RCX in cab regulator. Stewart posted the block part #s and spring info in a different thread which a search would turn up. good luck!

 

Here's the info to help save on a search.

Front V code springs: Part #2C3Z-5310-HA
Rear B code springs: Part #3C3Z-5560-CB
Left side 3.5" tapered block: Part #F81Z-5598-FA
Right side 3.5" tapered block Part #F81Z-5598-GA

...and the Bilstein part numbers if you use the above springs:
Front: BE5-2818 (OEM length for the F250 4x4)
Rear: BE5-6209 (OEM length for the Excursion 4x4)

Stewart

 

Stewart _H : I used the exact same setup on my 04 4x4 psd. it tows like a dream now. Noticed that I still have the clunk in the front end. The ball joints are good.I suppose it is the sway bar bushings or drag link bushings. Stock stuff at 80k miles.

 

Monsta and Stewart H,

I have an 05 X, V10, 4x4. I'd like to do the same swap that Stewart H did, the springs, shocks, and sway bar. Do you know if all of the same parts would also fit on my 05?

Mike

 

Yep.

Still the same platform.

Stewart

 

Thank you Sir...

 

Ke-bleh?!?

 

Stewart H,

I probably won't be able to do the spring swap for a while. Is it ok to go with the Bilsteins, X in the rear and F250's in the front in the mean time? Will there be a noticable difference in height between the front and rear? I would like to keep the X level. If I end up not swapping out the springs, should I put the X Bilsteins all around?

Mike
05 XLT, V10, 4x4

 

In my opinion, I'd say yes, because the reason you'd be using the F250 Bilstein shocks is to give you a tad more travel is all, so it won't affect your ride height. However, if I were you, I'd call Shane at Bilstein at 1-800-537-1085 in San Diego and ask him.

Shane is the 4x4, offroad Bilstein guru at the Bilstein California division. He's the one that fields these types of questions when it comes to their shocks.

Stewart

 

Ka' Plah!

Stewart

 

Jim Ignatowski say's "Victory!"





Stewart

 

Bilsteins and Hellwig are enroute. Can't wait to get em on...saving up for the springs...


Mike

2005 Ford Excursion V10 4x4