Ok I spent a lot of time researching how I want to go about doing this and I need some details ironed out. My 01 F250 in my sig sits low one might think it is a 2x4. I'd like to change this. It has 4000# springs in front and I'm considering a plow for next year also I really would like some more altitude and strength for some 285s instead of the stock 265s. Studying all the options there is I think what I want is Ford X code springs. I get height and strength. Seems to be a good deal. My land lords F350 I believe has the heavy package and it sit just right for me with 285s under it. Now changing out the springs do I need to change out the steering components at all or just have it aligned? Brake lines going to work at full articulation?

On to the rear suspension. I'll upgrade the short blocks to F350 blocks. My rear springs are rated at 6084#s That I think is ok, no helper leafs or sway bar back there. I wouldn't mind updating that. Truck sways bad and squats bad with a skid loader in tow. Not that it tows hardly ever, but it is useless the way it is when I have to. OEM? Junk yard? Opinions to upgrade what I got.

 

Code "X" springs are the ones that you want. They raised my 2003 F-250 with 4000 pound code "S" springs about 1.5 inches. There is no need to replace any steering components or anything else, unless they are worn out. You don't even have to get an alignment, as the toe in is not affected by the raise in height. The only thing you might have to do, is turn the sleeve in the drag link (the piece between the pitman arm and the right side steering knuckle) to lengthen it a bit in order to straighten out the steering wheel. It shouldn't take more than 1 turn to do this. Just for your info, the part number for the code "X" springs is

2C3Z-5310-AF



RON

 

I second that I had the lighter leafs and bumped it up and it sat pretty well but I ended up getting bigger and better 8" lift. But that would be the way to go it makes it look sharper also.

 

If they only raised your truck 1.5" Ron then my "S" springs must be completely shot in front. From the photos in your gallery it looks like 3" or better from where mine sits.

Just curious. Does the X springs have 3 leafs or do they have just two? Looking at many SD I see 3 leafs often and I can't imagine all of them having a add a leaf leveling kit installed.

 

They only have 2 leaves just like all of the other stock springs, but they are slightly thicker. The big difference is when I raise the plow--With the old springs, the nose took about a 3 inch dive. With the "X" springs, it's only about a 1/2 inch. It's also much more stable when carrying the plow. Sure, it rides harder, but it's not that bad.


RON

 

I found online a set in a salvage yard near me. I'll have to inquire when I have the money.

 

Watch out for used springs--They might be sagged out, or the truck might have had them changed sometime in its life, and they were replaced with a different non "X" code spring. If I remember correctly, my "X" springs have the engineering number stamped in them at the back end of the spring, and the stamping is 2C34-5310-AFA. When I bought mine a few years back, they were about $125 each--I'm sure that they are more $$$ now.


RON

 

Hope you don't mind a stiffer ride.

 

I'd rather have stiff than completely unstable. My Superduty has to be the worst handling truck Ive ever had. I feel it due to the weak springs for the weight of the truck. No this is going to end soon. With the thoughts of plowing in it's future I've got to correct this.

 

Road all day in an X spring equipped truck plowing snow. With the plow new shocks and 285s under it it road 10x better than my truck. Man I just loved being in it. What an improvement.

 

I have the "T" springs (heavy-service suspension package) and it's pretty bouncy for my tastes. I'm definitely going for X's when I get the chance.

Ride's too stiff?

Go buy a Chevy

 

The 04 I was plowing with had "T" springs they are more bouncy than the "X" springs in the 02 I was in yesterday.

A guy I know has "T" springs in the front and air bags at 4 corners. He really likes that set up. About 800 pounds of sander on the back and the same for the plow he runs 45psi in them. Truck sits up and rides like a town car he says. When both units are off the truck he drops them to 20-25psi empty to retain the nice ride. He thinks they are the way to go. I think for me I'd rather have the heavier springs in the front and just rear bags.

 

Please don't tell me to go buy a Chevy My DR springs ride a little softer than stock but still have load capacity because they are an 11 leaf pack instead of a 2 leaf pack. I don't know whey Ford doesn't utilize more leaves in the pack. Also, I still have oem rear springs, so it doesn't affect my towing.

 

Ford did use more than 2 leafs in the front at one time. They road for crap.

 

I was only joking - I wouldn't tell you to jump off a bridge, much less buy a Chevy

Does it have more arc than the stock springs which are almost straight (at least my "T" springs are)?

And the individual leaves are thinner than the Ford 2-leaf stocker, aren't they?

Maybe because more leaves means thinner leaves, means less life span?

One other thing to think about.

A leaf spring is only as strong as the top leaf, in terms of holding the entire front-end (or rear end) to the frame. A thinner top leaf leaves much to be desired (pun intended).

Not disagreeing with you, just pointing out the other side of the coin.

Also, how much block do you have in the rear?