Upgrading the Ride - Replace the Springs?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 96
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From: Boulder, CO
Upgrading the Ride - Replace the Springs?
I've been methodically replacing/upgrading different items on my 2000 Ex 4x4. The next thing I am considering is a way to upgrade how it rides. I've replaced the shocks (Rancho 9000xls) and sway bar links & bushings, which went a LONG way to improving the ride. But its still harsh on bumps.
Since this is our cross-country vehicle that gets us from Colorado to the midwest 3 times a year, I want it to ride as smooth as possible. So my question is whether or not replacing the leaf springs would help? Its got 148,000 on the odometer. Just wondering if leaf springs 'wear out' to the point where replacing them would provide a smoother, less jarring ride.
Just for the record, I'm not interested in lifting it...nor do I have a sway issue when towing (We tow...but its a small, lightweight pop-up.)
Since this is our cross-country vehicle that gets us from Colorado to the midwest 3 times a year, I want it to ride as smooth as possible. So my question is whether or not replacing the leaf springs would help? Its got 148,000 on the odometer. Just wondering if leaf springs 'wear out' to the point where replacing them would provide a smoother, less jarring ride.
Just for the record, I'm not interested in lifting it...nor do I have a sway issue when towing (We tow...but its a small, lightweight pop-up.)
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 657
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From: Pueblo, CO
You might want to consider switching to a set of "U" code front springs. They are the springs that came on V-10 powered F-250's & 350's. They will give you a slight lift, but no taller than the trucks are. The benefit will be a smoother ride because you no longer will be slamming against your bump stops!
Take a look at all the V/B swap threads around here and you will get the idea. I'm suggesting the U codes instead of V's since you have the V-10 and dont want much lift
Take a look at all the V/B swap threads around here and you will get the idea. I'm suggesting the U codes instead of V's since you have the V-10 and dont want much lift
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 117
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From: Castle Rock, CO
I think springs do wear out a little, but they would get looser, and not stiffer, which technically would make your ride a little softer. I would say the new shocks you have already installed would effect the ride alot more than the leaf springs themselves. Of course leaf springs that lift the truck would be a little stiffer and effect the ride.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Boulder, CO
SamBandit you're right. It was such a 'Duh!' moment for me when you pointed out the obvious: Leaf springs get softer with age, not stiffer (and I'm a frickin' idiot for not figuring that out on my own, but sometimes the obvious eludes me.)
Just for the record, after installing the Rancho shocks, I made the mistake of keeping them dialed down at 3, thinking that should dampen the harshness of the ride I was experiencing. Actually what I needed to do is dial them up to 7 or 8 to make up for softness in the spring. With such a soft setting, they were weren't working very well at dampening the bounce/vibration/rattling produced by the bumps.
So today I drove down I-25 to your hometown to attend an air show. Before I left I set the shocks to 7...and WOW...what a difference! Thanks again to you, and to everyone on this forum, I'm slowly but surely starting to figure it out.
Just for the record, after installing the Rancho shocks, I made the mistake of keeping them dialed down at 3, thinking that should dampen the harshness of the ride I was experiencing. Actually what I needed to do is dial them up to 7 or 8 to make up for softness in the spring. With such a soft setting, they were weren't working very well at dampening the bounce/vibration/rattling produced by the bumps.
So today I drove down I-25 to your hometown to attend an air show. Before I left I set the shocks to 7...and WOW...what a difference! Thanks again to you, and to everyone on this forum, I'm slowly but surely starting to figure it out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
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From: The Great White North!
Back in the day I added the rancho shocks and back stabilizer after purchasing the X and did notice a better ride/feel. I also noticed how the soft springs kept bottoming out and providing some harshness while even on the highway. That is when I started looking into the spring swap and reading up on it in here. Well after the new v/b code springs the ride improved greatly. I was able to tone down the shocks a little and still get a smother ride than before.
While I agree the new springs are stiffer than the worn out originals, they provide the movement the suspension needs to maintain a smoother ride. With the new springs the ride was improved way more. No harshness of bottoming out while cruising down the highway, as the suspension has the required movement and stiffness to absorb the unevenness of the roads. If that makes sense. Most would agree the ride was improved after the spring swap, and you can read on it further here by searching the v/b spring threads, and there are many. While the choices are numerous as to the springs you ultimately choose to go with, the consensus will point to ride improvement with the newer springs.
While I agree the new springs are stiffer than the worn out originals, they provide the movement the suspension needs to maintain a smoother ride. With the new springs the ride was improved way more. No harshness of bottoming out while cruising down the highway, as the suspension has the required movement and stiffness to absorb the unevenness of the roads. If that makes sense. Most would agree the ride was improved after the spring swap, and you can read on it further here by searching the v/b spring threads, and there are many. While the choices are numerous as to the springs you ultimately choose to go with, the consensus will point to ride improvement with the newer springs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
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From: Tulsa, OK
Ditto to what wallz said. Our 05 rides much smoother than the 03 did--after I installed V/B codes on the 05. "Stay off the bump stops" and your ride will improve dramatically. The original Excursion springs only had about 1" of travel. V/B codes at least double this.
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