Who is using NON-modified B code springs?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
This is what a modified B code spring looks like (see below). The axle is supported with jack stands so the weight of the truck is on the springs. To make it modified take apart the original Excursion Spring and keep the aluminum spacers that are between the leaves and keep the bottom two leaves (Not the thick anti-wrap thingy). Then take apart the B code spring and throw away the thin shims it had in between the leaves. Add the two bottom leaves from the Excursion spring to the bottom of the B code spring (but above the thick overload) along with the Excursion Spring spacers in between all the leaves. You will need a longer center bolt to put it all back together. I bought a hex head grade 8 bolt at the hardware store and turned the hex down with a lathe to fit into the locator hole. I suppose a bench grinder would work as well. A couple decent size c-clamps are needed to do this as well. There wasn't as much tension between the leaves as I thought there would be so your clamps don't need to be huge. My B's ($50) were used from a guy who lifted his truck. I used the stock Excursion block and have no driveline vibrations. For the front I got brand new V codes for $304 for the pair. I did all this one year ago.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 9
From: Minnesota
So Dave, what are the benifits of the mod'ed "B" over the stock "B"?
I have been looking into this for a while now, thanks for the pictures by the way, they help alot!
I have new springs on the front and now gearing up for the rear, one thing i see is that the, what i call the "overload" spring, on the bottom of the stack will not contact the springs above it in a flat manor, in other words it will have differant contact points rather that a flat contact surface. I'am not sure if this is good for the "overload spring" if you are running loaded alot, you would end up with contact lines across the face of the "over load" spring, wouldn't you? Just asking questions.
Also when you put the spacers in the new stack from the stock spring stack, does this make the "B" spring ride better unladened and then stiffen up as more load is appled, like a "progressive rate spring"?
One last question, how does the truck ride unladened with the modified "B" stack compared to the stock spring stack?
Thanks for your time!
Edit: one last question, did you take a height measurement before and after the new springs were installed?
I have been looking into this for a while now, thanks for the pictures by the way, they help alot!
I have new springs on the front and now gearing up for the rear, one thing i see is that the, what i call the "overload" spring, on the bottom of the stack will not contact the springs above it in a flat manor, in other words it will have differant contact points rather that a flat contact surface. I'am not sure if this is good for the "overload spring" if you are running loaded alot, you would end up with contact lines across the face of the "over load" spring, wouldn't you? Just asking questions.
Also when you put the spacers in the new stack from the stock spring stack, does this make the "B" spring ride better unladened and then stiffen up as more load is appled, like a "progressive rate spring"?
One last question, how does the truck ride unladened with the modified "B" stack compared to the stock spring stack?
Thanks for your time!
Edit: one last question, did you take a height measurement before and after the new springs were installed?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
So Dave, what are the benifits of the mod'ed "B" over the stock "B"?
I have been looking into this for a while now, thanks for the pictures by the way, they help alot!
I have new springs on the front and now gearing up for the rear, one thing i see is that the, what i call the "overload" spring, on the bottom of the stack will not contact the springs above it in a flat manor, in other words it will have differant contact points rather that a flat contact surface. I'am not sure if this is good for the "overload spring" if you are running loaded alot, you would end up with contact lines across the face of the "over load" spring, wouldn't you? Just asking questions.
Also when you put the spacers in the new stack from the stock spring stack, does this make the "B" spring ride better unladened and then stiffen up as more load is appled, like a "progressive rate spring"?
One last question, how does the truck ride unladened with the modified "B" stack compared to the stock spring stack?
Thanks for your time!
Edit: one last question, did you take a height measurement before and after the new springs were installed?
I have been looking into this for a while now, thanks for the pictures by the way, they help alot!
I have new springs on the front and now gearing up for the rear, one thing i see is that the, what i call the "overload" spring, on the bottom of the stack will not contact the springs above it in a flat manor, in other words it will have differant contact points rather that a flat contact surface. I'am not sure if this is good for the "overload spring" if you are running loaded alot, you would end up with contact lines across the face of the "over load" spring, wouldn't you? Just asking questions.
Also when you put the spacers in the new stack from the stock spring stack, does this make the "B" spring ride better unladened and then stiffen up as more load is appled, like a "progressive rate spring"?
One last question, how does the truck ride unladened with the modified "B" stack compared to the stock spring stack?
Thanks for your time!
Edit: one last question, did you take a height measurement before and after the new springs were installed?
The benefit for modifying the B is you can use the stock excursion block. If you use the B's as is you will have to add a taller block to get the back up to match the front. I see it as being cheaper, less tendency for axle wrap with a shorter block and a little more capacity.
The picture is with the weight of the truck on the springs. I don't have a pic with my travel trailer hooked up to see what they look like with another 900lbs. or so on them. I doubt they will get down to the overload.
The empty ride of the truck is firm, but I have Bilsteins on it which people on here say are going to be firmer than say stock or even the Rancho 9000's. The ride with my travel trailer hooked up though is VERY nice and smooth. I would say empty the truck rides on the stiff side, but loaded up it is perfect. Our Ex is a third vehicle so 75% of the miles it gets are towing.
My height difference was exactly 2" higher front and back. I'm at about 39" front, and 40 1/2" rear.
I might get my trailer from storage this weekend and when I do I'll take a picture of the spring with it hooked up.
Dave.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
How can they? The problem with this type of mod is that the overload is now nothing more than a spacer. It can't ever press itself flat on the spring pack because the one it will touch is too short to flatten out the overload.
So, the overload is no longer used on a B modified in this way (except as a spacer).
I have F codes in the garage, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how to install and mod them, but I don't think I'll do it this way, as I want the overload to do it's job since I tow a 9500lb trailer.
So, the overload is no longer used on a B modified in this way (except as a spacer).
I have F codes in the garage, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how to install and mod them, but I don't think I'll do it this way, as I want the overload to do it's job since I tow a 9500lb trailer.
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
How can they? The problem with this type of mod is that the overload is now nothing more than a spacer. It can't ever press itself flat on the spring pack because the one it will touch is too short to flatten out the overload.
So, the overload is no longer used on a B modified in this way (except as a spacer).
So, the overload is no longer used on a B modified in this way (except as a spacer).
The RAS is 100x better than the OEM overload.
Rear B code springs: Part #3C3Z-5560-CB
He's right.
While the overload may still work, and while it may never be utilized after the spring is modded, it's still not gonna work the original way it was designed.
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Here's all the info you could want on modding the 4x4 Excursion suspension.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html
There's quite a bit of info in that link regarding the RAS.
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
The RAS is the Roadmaster Active Suspension, an aftermarket overload spring that works extremely well.
ActiveSuspension.com is where you can read about the product.
Stewart