Got my springs fixed!!!! - Diesel Forum

RDSII · 03-13-2003, 09:36 AM

Well I have been battling with the dealer about my front springs!! Finally the service manager agreed there was a problem but would not agree to U or X coded pickup springs. Instead they re-arced and added a leaf. At the same time I installed rancho 9000x all around. WOW I cannot believe the difference!!! I was getting fed up with it bottoming out all the time and was worse towing.
Now I want to replace the tires. I’m thinking about going with the 305/70/16. Does this size have a larger dia than the stock? If so how much? I may be taking a job that requires garage parking with a clearance of 6`-5” so I have to be careful of height clearance.

Thanks!!

A Rusch · 03-13-2003, 10:18 AM

Just switched to MT Baja Claw Radials in the 305/70R16 mounted on a 16x8" wheel - stood the stock wheels up next to the new ones - only about 1/2" to 3/4" overall difference in height between the two (both mounted on a rim)- I haven't checked with a GPS, but the speedo seems to be right on. The height before allowed me to get in the garage with roughly 3/8" to spare - to be honest, I didn't even check the difference after the new wheels, I just assumed it wouldn't fit so I surrendered the garage to the boss......... won't matter for me now anyway since I'm getting the add-a-leaf to the rear right now - guaranteed not to fit anymore since that adds 1 1/2" more.......... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I did however 'measure' the overall height last week to see if I might be able to fit in the local drive through carwash - the unofficial measurement with the new wheels and tires was 79 3/4" at the highest point (luggage rack braces removed). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

coldpizza · 03-13-2003, 10:54 AM

I don't think your X will fit under a 6'5" top. I believe 6'8" is minimum (at least for 4x4). It would seem the 305's would be at least a little taller than stock. I am considering a change to 305's (at some point, assuming they don't rub) and park under a 7'0" clearance garage. I don't want to go higher than that (it is the only time my X is garaged [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]).

BTW, how 'sagged' were your springs before the dealer determined a fix was needed?

Good luck and take care. I'll be interested to know about your findings.

Len

RDSII · 03-13-2003, 02:41 PM

ARUSCH

I like the wheels!! Who's wheels are they? The tires a more agressive than I an looking for. Where did you get them?

RDSII · 03-13-2003, 02:45 PM

Coldpizza

My challange was the springs were hitting the stops when I installed the trailer with weight dist.. The service adviser was blowing me of so I talked to the service mamager and at that time the driver side was less than 1/2 inch with out the trailer. I have 32750 miles on it so I got it done just in time.

dmftoy1 · 03-13-2003, 02:48 PM

Good to hear!!

Have a good one,
Dave

BadAndy · 03-13-2003, 03:01 PM

Ok,
I have a question for all of you spring - know-it-alls.

It would seem to me that re-arcing springs and installing an addtional leaf would be more risky than installing known capacity, Ford quality-insected, U or V code springs.

Not knowing anything about re-arching, wouldn't there be more room for error, thus REALLY messing up the front suspension?????

What rate/height increase/capacity would you end up with?

Andy

A Rusch · 03-13-2003, 05:57 PM

RDSII -

The wheels are Eagle Alloys series 1029 - got them from 4wheelparts.com - tires....... went to the Mickey Thompson website and searched for a local dealer and found one 10 miles away. If money is no object [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] get the Weld Stone Crushers since they are a better quality wheel - only $130 or so more per wheel [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Had my Eagle Alloys for a month and the fastners on the 'simulated beadlock' are already corroding......... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

CHPMustang · 03-13-2003, 06:12 PM

Haven't seen too many re-arched around but I'll bet they work just as well as a set of upgraded springs [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

The shocks help sooooo much [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

BILL

jschira · 03-13-2003, 07:45 PM

I ordered a set of Timbren bumpers for the front. Going to try them out. I will report back. If they work, I'll go for the rears.

I might have a set of the new '03 upgraded factory bumper stops available in a couple of weeks.

Bruce1954 · 03-13-2003, 11:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Ok,
I have a question for all of you spring - know-it-alls.

It would seem to me that re-arcing springs and installing an addtional leaf would be more risky than installing known capacity, Ford quality-insected, U or V code springs.

Not knowing anything about re-arching, wouldn't there be more room for error, thus REALLY messing up the front suspension?????

What rate/height increase/capacity would you end up with?

Andy

[/ QUOTE ]
Andy, I think you are correct! even at the best of spring shops it may be a crap shoot I still think the T,U or Vs are the way to go for every day use. and you can bet it cost just as much to "fix" the old as new ones if not more. And a lot more for Ford since it is buying the springs for production. A spring shop they would have to pay about the same as you or me.

Now if you went into a quality spring shop and said I would like you to:
Add 1.25 inches of arch and add so many pounds per inch of rate you could build any specs you wanted but why start over when there are so many of us with Us, Vs and at least one Ts on a PSD.

Bruce (AKA the front spring dude)

ohski · 03-14-2003, 05:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I’m thinking about going with the 305/70/16. Does this size have a larger dia than the stock? If so how much? I may be taking a job that requires garage parking with a clearance of 6`-5” so I have to be careful of height clearance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have 305's on my truck and yes they are taller. They are 33 inches tall, that is about 2 inches more than the stock 265's I took off. As far as parking garages go my truck sits right at 6'7.5". I just know when I go into a parking garage that says its 6'9" I have little to no room to spare. You talk about making your butt pucker.