B-Code Spring- Add leaves or use as is?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Michigan
B-Code Spring- Add leaves or use as is?
Hi
I scored a pair of nice used B codes this week for $50 from a wanted ad I placed on craigslist. I am hoping to find some V-codes for the front soon as well. I know some people have added leafs to the B's and others haven't. Some have used the stock block and others have used the 3.5" blocks. I pull a 30" TT which has 900 lbs. tongue weight.
I am wondering why go to the trouble of taking the spring apart to add leaves to it? If it's for lift then why not just use the bigger block.
If it's to add capacity then does it make it ride to stiff unloaded?
I have an '03 V-10 Limited.
Thanks.
Dave
I scored a pair of nice used B codes this week for $50 from a wanted ad I placed on craigslist. I am hoping to find some V-codes for the front soon as well. I know some people have added leafs to the B's and others haven't. Some have used the stock block and others have used the 3.5" blocks. I pull a 30" TT which has 900 lbs. tongue weight.
I am wondering why go to the trouble of taking the spring apart to add leaves to it? If it's for lift then why not just use the bigger block.
If it's to add capacity then does it make it ride to stiff unloaded?
I have an '03 V-10 Limited.
Thanks.
Dave
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From: Kenna,wv
I used the stock rears and added the F350 block when i put on the V's.
From all of the posts I have read, it was common to either add the leaves to the B codes or use the block as the springs do not provide enough lift to level the rear after adding B codes.
From all of the posts I have read, it was common to either add the leaves to the B codes or use the block as the springs do not provide enough lift to level the rear after adding B codes.
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From: Michigan
Do you fell the stock B's are stiff enough?
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Senior User
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From: Michigan
I know that I read one responce somewhere that the B's sagged quit a bit with a lot of tongue weight, so to those that have modified their B's, which leaves from the original pack did you use and where did you put them in the new B pack?
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Senior User
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From: Michigan
I have searched but can't find specific instructions on modifying "B" springs or the pros/cons of stock B spring or modified B spring.
I'm trying to decide which route to go here and only take it apart once.
If I can improve the "B's" by adding a leaf or two I will do that. I'm just looking for a little advice from someone with the "B's" either stock or modified. It seems to me with the extra weight of the Ex the "B's" will already be loaded before I even drop the tongue of my trailer on.
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From: Henniker
Dave, of all of what I have heard I have not heard anyone modifying there b code springs. I hope to install mine today or I will do it tomorrow. I have ordered the blocks to go with the springs. If you want I can hook up my 32 ft TT and see how far the rear sags with the new springs. As a matter of fact I should do a before and after measurment.
Brian
Brian
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From: Michigan
Dave, of all of what I have heard I have not heard anyone modifying there b code springs. I hope to install mine today or I will do it tomorrow. I have ordered the blocks to go with the springs. If you want I can hook up my 32 ft TT and see how far the rear sags with the new springs. As a matter of fact I should do a before and after measurment.
Brian
Brian
Thanks for the reply....I think I will order the blocks today and use the springs as is. If it sags too much I can always add bags later. I have v's, b's, Hellwig, and 4 Bilsteins sitting in the garage but have been so busy at work I haven't gotten time to do it yet. Maybe this weekend. I'm looking forward to the improvement.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Olympia, WA
I would greatly appreciate hearing before and after tounge weight sag measurements Wyle. That would go a long way toward understanding the relative spring rates of these different leaf packs. That data just isn't as available as it is for the front packs. I'm in the same boat right now, I have a new set of front springs waiting for me to figure out what to do on the back before I can start. I've done a bunch of searching in the last week and still not absolutely sure. Tentative plan right now is to keep my stock rear leaves and swap to the taller block that came on the F350's.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Henniker
Ok, here is what I have so far,
Stock front and rear measurments.
LF ........... RF
36 1/8 ........ 37
LR .......... RR
38 3/4 .........39 3/4
New X codes in the front.
LF .............. RF
39 1/2 .......... 40 1/4
sag in the stock rear spring
with camper 36 1/4
w/o camper 38
These numbers are slightly different from the other readings because the camper is parked on the lawn, so the ground is starting to soften up a bit.
I am going to install the new springs today, but by the time I get out to take another measurment the ground will be too, way too soft for me to try it, so I will have to take another measurment tomorrow morning.
Brian
Stock front and rear measurments.
LF ........... RF
36 1/8 ........ 37
LR .......... RR
38 3/4 .........39 3/4
New X codes in the front.
LF .............. RF
39 1/2 .......... 40 1/4
sag in the stock rear spring
with camper 36 1/4
w/o camper 38
These numbers are slightly different from the other readings because the camper is parked on the lawn, so the ground is starting to soften up a bit.
I am going to install the new springs today, but by the time I get out to take another measurment the ground will be too, way too soft for me to try it, so I will have to take another measurment tomorrow morning.
Brian
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Senior User
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From: Michigan
Ok, here is what I have so far,
Stock front and rear measurments.
LF ........... RF
36 1/8 ........ 37
LR .......... RR
38 3/4 .........39 3/4
New X codes in the front.
LF .............. RF
39 1/2 .......... 40 1/4
sag in the stock rear spring
with camper 36 1/4
w/o camper 38
These numbers are slightly different from the other readings because the camper is parked on the lawn, so the ground is starting to soften up a bit.
I am going to install the new springs today, but by the time I get out to take another measurment the ground will be too, way too soft for me to try it, so I will have to take another measurment tomorrow morning.
Brian
Stock front and rear measurments.
LF ........... RF
36 1/8 ........ 37
LR .......... RR
38 3/4 .........39 3/4
New X codes in the front.
LF .............. RF
39 1/2 .......... 40 1/4
sag in the stock rear spring
with camper 36 1/4
w/o camper 38
These numbers are slightly different from the other readings because the camper is parked on the lawn, so the ground is starting to soften up a bit.
I am going to install the new springs today, but by the time I get out to take another measurment the ground will be too, way too soft for me to try it, so I will have to take another measurment tomorrow morning.
Brian
I'll be on the edge of my seat for your new measurements.
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From: Central Coast of CA
I think I will order the blocks today and use the springs as is. If it sags too much I can always add bags later. I have v's, b's, Hellwig, and 4 Bilsteins sitting in the garage but have been so busy at work I haven't gotten time to do it yet. Maybe this weekend. I'm looking forward to the improvement.
Dave, sorry I missed this thread until now.
With your TT, I think you'll like the B's as is, with the the 3.5" blocks.
Stewart
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From: Henniker
Thanks Stewart, I knew you would weigh in sooner or later.
Well I finished installing the new B code rears, Got just under 3 inchs on one side and 3 inches on the other. So now the rear sits a tad higher than the front as Stewart stated. It looks great. I added my new bilstiens while i was there. Only thing I ran into was the U bolts are too short. I was able to get it back together but a trip to the local spring shop tomorrow is most definate.
I am only holding on by 4-5 threads, so no test drive tonight. As I stated earlier, the ground at the TT is mush, so I will wait till tomorrow morning to take another hoked and unhooked measurment for you. I am running around 850 lbe tounge weight. so we should be close.
I have posted plenty of pics on my gallery, check em out. Ball joints tomorrow, what a way to spend my vacation. Supposed to be around 60 here tomorrow so it will be a great day. I will take plenty of pics of the ball joint job also.
Stewart,
thank you for all the info and hard work and re search you and Joe have done. I cant wait to hook up the Tt and take it out and see the difference.
Brian
Well I finished installing the new B code rears, Got just under 3 inchs on one side and 3 inches on the other. So now the rear sits a tad higher than the front as Stewart stated. It looks great. I added my new bilstiens while i was there. Only thing I ran into was the U bolts are too short. I was able to get it back together but a trip to the local spring shop tomorrow is most definate.
I am only holding on by 4-5 threads, so no test drive tonight. As I stated earlier, the ground at the TT is mush, so I will wait till tomorrow morning to take another hoked and unhooked measurment for you. I am running around 850 lbe tounge weight. so we should be close.
I have posted plenty of pics on my gallery, check em out. Ball joints tomorrow, what a way to spend my vacation. Supposed to be around 60 here tomorrow so it will be a great day. I will take plenty of pics of the ball joint job also.
Stewart,
thank you for all the info and hard work and re search you and Joe have done. I cant wait to hook up the Tt and take it out and see the difference.
Brian
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Great Pics! will help me when I tear into mine - you really are 'hanging on by a thread' there huh.
I found a local spring shop here, gonna try to swing by one of these days to see if they can make some cheaper than the ford dealer sells them for.
I found a local spring shop here, gonna try to swing by one of these days to see if they can make some cheaper than the ford dealer sells them for.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 568
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From: Henniker
Thats what I figured too, I am just going to bring a u bolt with me and have them make 4 new ones about an inch longer, per side, two inches overall.
Good luck, if theres anything you need help with pm me and I will shoot you my phone number,
Brian
Good luck, if theres anything you need help with pm me and I will shoot you my phone number,
Brian
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart