Installed V codes
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
Installed V codes
I must say, those of you on the fence about this shouldnt be. Jump the fence and put them on! It took me and my brother in law 2 hours and we could have done it quicker in hindsight. I didnt remove the crash brace or bumper brackets. Just heated the front spring bolts up and ratcheted them out. The hardets part was the cooler bracket on the drivers side. Anyway, the ride is what it should be and it doesnt bottom out at all. It is very controlled. It raised the front end 1.75-2 inches and it is a half inch nose high. I may add the tapered blocks to the rear to raise it back for the rake. Between the springs, new shocks and steering box adjustment, my X is worlds better than when I bought it. BTW my local Ford store sold the springs to me for $159 each.
Now, for that rearend vibration.....
Now, for that rearend vibration.....
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
MagKarl
I bought the X about three months ago and was seriously disappointed in the ride and handling. It was like driving a delivery truck. My road is rough and the thing was almost unbearable to drive due to the front end. I have had three SuperDuties in the past and none of them had this issue. By doing the springs shocks and steering box adjustment, it is now comparable to the SuperDuties. The springs made the most difference.
I would highly recommend them.
I bought the X about three months ago and was seriously disappointed in the ride and handling. It was like driving a delivery truck. My road is rough and the thing was almost unbearable to drive due to the front end. I have had three SuperDuties in the past and none of them had this issue. By doing the springs shocks and steering box adjustment, it is now comparable to the SuperDuties. The springs made the most difference.
I would highly recommend them.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
X codes were the springs Ford put on the trucks equipped with the snow plow package.
V codes are what most Excursion owners upgrade to, because Ford screwed up and didn't put the same springs on the Excursion.
Changing the front and rear springs on the Excursion is one of the common methods to fix the steering wander these beasts have.
Here's more info for you. Tons of reading with a bunch of info to answer any other questions you may have.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html
Stewart
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,070
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From: Catawissa, Pa
is this mod mostly for the diesels? most people writing have diesel trucks listed in their signature. is there any other place to buy the springs other than a dealer? i just bought mine, and the steering seems pretty tight, the previous owner just installed new ball joints, shocks and sway bar bushings. im just wondering if i have a wandering problem. i have not towed with it yet but plan to cut some wood on the next nice weekend, so i guess ill see then. thanks alot for all the reading and help
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
It is not just for diesels. As far as the wandering, you know it if you have it. Mine wandered bad if any wind was blowing while on the interstate. I was sawing the wheel back and forth constantly. Tightening up the steering box helped initially. After the spring change it is all but gone. Next step is doing something with the rear. I cant say enough how good the v codes are. My X looks like it should and handles ten times better.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
As a follow up. I ordered and installed tapered F350 rear blocks and new u-bolts last night. This was a must due to the V codes as they raised the front higher than the rear. Did the job in an hour. Now the X has the factory rake but sits as high as a 350. With the 305's it looks much better than when I bought it.
I highly recommend the V codes. I liked the ride from the rear springs so i kept them.
I highly recommend the V codes. I liked the ride from the rear springs so i kept them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Catawissa, Pa
a few more questions dave...
can the springs be purchased somewhere other than the dealer?
can the stock shocks be used? mine are new from the previous owner.
are there any "complications" doing the work yourself?
i would like to do this because the truck does bottom out on our "back country" roads. i just dont want to spend extra money on unneeded components. i also have 1" and 2.5" rear blocks and ubolts from my old 02 f350 that i could use in the rear. thanks alot
can the springs be purchased somewhere other than the dealer?
can the stock shocks be used? mine are new from the previous owner.
are there any "complications" doing the work yourself?
i would like to do this because the truck does bottom out on our "back country" roads. i just dont want to spend extra money on unneeded components. i also have 1" and 2.5" rear blocks and ubolts from my old 02 f350 that i could use in the rear. thanks alot
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
a few more questions dave...
can the springs be purchased somewhere other than the dealer?
can the stock shocks be used? mine are new from the previous owner.
are there any "complications" doing the work yourself?
i would like to do this because the truck does bottom out on our "back country" roads. i just dont want to spend extra money on unneeded components. i also have 1" and 2.5" rear blocks and ubolts from my old 02 f350 that i could use in the rear. thanks alot
can the springs be purchased somewhere other than the dealer?
can the stock shocks be used? mine are new from the previous owner.
are there any "complications" doing the work yourself?
i would like to do this because the truck does bottom out on our "back country" roads. i just dont want to spend extra money on unneeded components. i also have 1" and 2.5" rear blocks and ubolts from my old 02 f350 that i could use in the rear. thanks alot
All your questions are answered there.
Stewart
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
Thanks Stewart.
As far as the install goes, I did it somewhat different. I didnt remove the blocker beam or any bumper hardware. I supported the X on jackstands under the blocker beam. The only difficult part on the front was the need to heat up the front spring bolt to release the loctite and then I used a breaker bar and then a ratchet. The front took about 2 hours doing it this way with one other person. Everything else was very easy, just cumbersome. The rear lift blocks were done by myself and took an hour. All parts can be used parts. I just couldnt find any that were used. I reused the front ubolts. The rear blocks and ubolts and front springs were bought new at the dealer as I could not find any used locally. And yes, stock shocks work fine. Stewart's link is very good. I recommend following it.
As far as the install goes, I did it somewhat different. I didnt remove the blocker beam or any bumper hardware. I supported the X on jackstands under the blocker beam. The only difficult part on the front was the need to heat up the front spring bolt to release the loctite and then I used a breaker bar and then a ratchet. The front took about 2 hours doing it this way with one other person. Everything else was very easy, just cumbersome. The rear lift blocks were done by myself and took an hour. All parts can be used parts. I just couldnt find any that were used. I reused the front ubolts. The rear blocks and ubolts and front springs were bought new at the dealer as I could not find any used locally. And yes, stock shocks work fine. Stewart's link is very good. I recommend following it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa, Pa
is there any issue with buying used springs...i found a yard about 60 miles from me with a set of 99 used ones from a 250. they want 65 each...is that good? or should i opt for new?
thanks alot
thanks alot
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
From: Catawissa, Pa
hey guys...
sorry for all the q's, but i have another...
if i get a set from the junk yard...how will i know they are v-codes? is there a label, stamp or something. i may go to the yard this weekend, but i want to make sure im getting the right springs. thanks again for all the valuable help
sorry for all the q's, but i have another...
if i get a set from the junk yard...how will i know they are v-codes? is there a label, stamp or something. i may go to the yard this weekend, but i want to make sure im getting the right springs. thanks again for all the valuable help
