I keep reading about the spring upgrade and discussions about the V code springs etc...but I can't figure out WHY people are putting this on.

I have a stock suspension and my back end is too low. It rides lower than the front and gets really low when a trailer is hooked up. I don't think I have a problem with the front end and don't really want a lift.

What springs would give me this result?

 

Stock springs would give you that result.

Not everyone re-springs to get a lift, the stock front springs give a terrible ride because Ford wanted the 4x4 to fit in a normal garage so they are short with little travel. See what you can stick between your front snubber and the spring perch, it won't be much. And that will be less when you tow.

You say the rear is already low and worse when you tow (not a poem) then you have just made the arguement for F250 springs and probably a RAS. Not to lift, but to get a better ride and safer towing.

Re-spring it and enjoy the ride.

 

Is RAS Rear Air Suspension?

Do most people buy springs new or used?

How much lift will F250 springs provide?

 

Roadmaster Active Suspension.

New.

Depends upon which ones you use. You did say you had been reading about this mod...

 

So many of the posts on this topic assume a certain amount of "common knowledge" about the topic. There's good information there but a lot of gaps to fill in.

 

All of the gaps are covered by the thread links contained in this link.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/789595-attn-dup-steering-wander-search-results-for-you.html

The overriding primary reason for the spring upgrade is to combat the steering wander inherent in all 4x4 Excursions due to the inadequate springs Ford put on the Excursion.

They should have put the same springs on the Ex as they did the F250. Unfortunately they thought their target customer was going to be soccer moms, so they put the POS springs on the Excursions instead, trying to make it ride more like a car and less like a truck.

Stewart

 

There seems to be some thought, perhaps only by X_HEMI_GUY, that the addition of RAS makes acquiring the F250 springs and/or different shocks optional. Thoughts?

I am picking up an 8000# TT this weekend with a Hensley Arrow and am curious to see how I do. I, in fact, just finished installing a Prodigy controller (and getting my door codes, but that is another post...).

I purchased the RAS setup already primarily as a result of Joe's recommendation, but haven't done anything with the springs or shocks or with additional anti-sway. As it stands, coffee spillage in the front cupholders is a common occurence when unloaded and the vehicle doesn't sag at all. 120K on the ticker, though. Couldn't tell you if the shocks and springs are OEM, but I'd be guessing yes as the original owner never towed with it (travesty, I know).

After I see how the TT tows, I'll look to see about Rancho RS9000's as a next step before springs. Present upgrade order is:

1. Ranchos
2. V/B spring upgrade
3. Helwig anti-sway

Curious to know others' opinions on this plan.

 

Mgraveman:

Are you towing with a weight distributing hitch? By design, the purpose of a WD hitch is to put the weight BACK ON the front axle which was REMOVED by the tongue weight added to the rear end of a tow vehicle. The longer the distance from the rear axle to the tongue weight drop point the more pronounced the problem will be. The process has been variously described as "balancing" a see saw or a wheel barrow with a pry bar. The weight distributing hitches act as a "pry bar" and use stresses in the truck chassis and the trailer frame to "magically" move weight from the tongue drop point to the truck front axle and the trailer axles.

Before spending money on a fix you might not need (springs) try a good weight distributing hitch on the trailer before anything else. There are many RV forums on the web that have good discussions about WD hitches. Consider something like a Reese Dual Cam for the optimum WD/Sway Control bang for your buck.


Tink:

Don't invent a problem if there is not one there -

Try your set up and see if you think anything needs fixing. Especially since you already have a Hensley Arrow.

Most of the 2005 Ex's had a fairly decent sway bar (these are also sometimes referred to as a stabilizer bar, anti-sway bar, roll bar, or anti-roll bar, ARB) installed at the factory as standard equipment.

I'm not taking anything away from well thought out additions like the RAS system or LandYot radius Rods, just saying that my 2005 Ex does Yoeman duty as a comfortable and stable pulling and travelling platform right out of the box.

 

I believe part of the problem with 'thinking' that you are fine, with 'thinking' that you are safe, is that you don't necessarily know what you are missing. The videos on activesuspension.com along with Joe's comments sold me on the bennies of the RAS.

If the thousand dollars on beefier/better springs, the Helwig, and shocks take the vehicle up in safety, I'm all about it - not that I have money burning a hole in my wallet, just that I don't want to take chances with my family's safety. As indicated, I already have the Prodigy and RAS.

I witnessed first-hand the devastation of a rollover accident following the passing of an 18 wheeler on my in-laws TT with a conventional sway control hitch, ergo the Hensley Arrow investment. They were just lucky that they were able to walk away from that one.

The real question is whether the addition of these items will make towing safer (i.e. whether it will make for additional stability when extremes are reached, or whether the extremes just won't be reachable as a result of the additions). I'm torn, but looking forward to the weekend to see how the first towing experience pans out.