I'm having second thoughts on swaping my springs out for v-codes, x-codes or whatever. It sounds like a lot of expense and knuckle-busting, and I don't want to stiffen the ride up. I was told that front air-bag helpers were a good option - cheaper, easier to install, adjustable, softer ride.
Do the V codes they ride a lot better than stock. Had air bags on the rear of my van and I didn't like them for the ride even with only 10psi. It seemed to launch off bumps.
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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4 Dark Satin Green Arizona Beige 7.3 DIT, AXDO, 3.73 LS, DP Tuner F5, TERMINATOR II w R-IPR, Adjustable Boost Regulator, Turbomaster, EBPV Delete, Air Dog, ITP Regulated Fuel Return, Fuel Cooler, Tags 1&2, Harpooned Tank, Magnaflow XL Exhaust w Aeroturbine 4040L, Sonnax/Tricumulator, 8 Autometer Sport Comp 4 Gauge A Pillar 4 Gauge Overhead, Ford APCM, Crimestopper Remote Starter With Remote Fast Idle, Ford AIS w Zoodad, W Code Front Modified B Code Rear springs, Rancho RS9000X, Rancho 5406 Stabilizer, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, BFG Rugged Trail TA, V10 Trans Cooler w Dual Electric Pusher Fans, Coolant Filter, IAH Delete, (((XM))) Line Of Fire Light, Ford Cab Lights, 05 Headlights w GOS Conversion Harness, Jimmi Jammers, 03 Lighted Painted Tow Mirrors w C-BETR, PSD Badges, Pullrite Hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller, Born 01/29/00
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Do the V codes they ride a lot better than stock.
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Oh Yeah!!! And then some!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Helps eliminate riding the bump stops on the 2000-2002 years.
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
I felt the same way for the first two years of ownership. First added better shocks, then Timbren's. By far the best mod which should of been done first was the U-code front springs.
Secondly the use of longer shocks with the new springs helped even more. When I installed the U-codes at 48K miles, I left in the Edelbrock shocks that were installed at 7K miles. Last week I changed out to Monroe reflex but used the F-350 part number up front. This does make a difference.
There is no quick fix for sagging springs, you need the travel for the improved ride. Yesterday I saw a PSD Excursion rigged up for a snow plow. The plow was not attached and the front end was very low, upon close inspection the bump stops were on the spring pack. Even without the plow it looked like a 2 wheel drive. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
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Yesterday I saw a PSD Excursion rigged up for a snow plow. The plow was not attached and the front end was very low, upon close inspection the bump stops were on the spring pack. Even without the plow it looked like a 2 wheel drive. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
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It probably rode like the Flintstone's car [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
Front air bags won't give you nearly as good results as stiffer springs. If you are not planning on lifting the rear, I would suggest "U" codes and 2003 Excursion bump stops or the short, rectangular F-250 style. These will both go right on with two bolts each. This combo will give you the suspension travel and load capacity you need. "V" codes may lift the nose as much as another inch, giving a "tail down" attitude without doing something to the rear.
My experince with the Airlifts in the back is that they are excellant for fine tuning load capacity, but NOT for adjusting ride height. Think of them as adjustable bump stops rather than "air springs". If you do not add load and just try to raise ride height by adding air, you will turn your truck into an instant "go kart".
After owning my PSD Excursion for a week I went right to the spring shop and added an extra leaf all the way around with great results. Better ride, and increased trailer handling with heavy toung weight.
Cost was about $500 but no muss no fuss, one day in and out!
Worked for me,
Eric [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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After owning my PSD Excursion for a week I went right to the spring shop and added an extra leaf all the way around with great results. Better ride, and increased trailer handling with heavy toung weight.
Cost was about $500 but no muss no fuss, one day in and out!
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Get any extra added height to it Eric?
Bill
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
Front springs have not been a problem on our Excursion, but have been on the pickup. I recently opted to install the Firestone air bags in the front rather than change springs. This worked great and sovled the problem as well and allowed me to level the truck up. The ride is only slightly firmer than before. I got my kit from Mac's Springs in California. If I even do need to fix the front end on the Excursion, I will do air bags on it as well.
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2001 F-250 Crew, long box, 4x4, Big Hoss level-5 Chip, Turbo Air Guide (TAG-II), Ford AIS air intake with foam sleeve, Monster exhaust, Aeroturbine, exhaust Guide, 6.0L intercooler, Di-Pricol Optix gauges, IHC CPS, Premo Oil Refiner, Banks Exhaust brake, SmartLock, Banks Quick Turbo, Six-Gun.
2000 Excursion PSD limited, Banks Big Hoss level-5 Chip, Turbo Air Guide (TAG-II), Banks Transcommand, UNI 2-stage foam air filter, 4" aluminized exhaust with 4" down pipe and 2 Aeroturbines.
I don't know anyone who has used Firestones in the front. If they are a true "airspring", they may not be too bad. However, have you factored in the cost of an on-board compressor, separate circuits, pressure gauges and plumbing/electrical? One side is always going to leak at a different rate than the other. (Basic kits don't allow you to level the truck side to side.) The cost may look attractive without all of the above, but do you really want the hassle of having to be checking the pressures with a tire gauge every few days and pumping up from an external air supply?
My rear Airlifts are the best solution for that end because they allow the best ride quality from empty all the way up to full load capacity with no compromises. However, they would be a real pain without being able to check the pressures in both sides at a glance and pump-up/bleed/balance them with the push of a button. The front is a different situation with much less variation in loading from empty to fully loaded. You also don't get the benefit of increased roll stiffness with front bags, but I'll lift at this point. There is a reason why almost everyone here does not use airbags in front.
People frequently get "U"'s and "V"'s at very low cost or free from shops doing lifts. I was in a hurry when I got my truck and couldn't wait to turn some up. (Had to use the truck to tow right away.) Even so, new "U" code springs and installation at Ford dealer wasn't much over $300.
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