Question about 450/550 springs on EX

[AJ'sDad]

How level is the Excursion when you put the 450/550 springs on the front?

I've only seen pictures of one Excursion that has had this done (it is Hookem's Excursion).
His sits nice and level but, he has a Ranch hand front end replacement (very heavy).

I'm curious as to how an Excursion sits with the 450/550 springs and no extra weight on the front. Anybody have any pictures? Thanks.

[aces full]

Hookem---did you put the springs on before other front end changes??? If so, how level was it before the bumper change??? I too what to do the spring change if it levels. I just bought Bilstein shocks---do you think it would require a different length shock??

aces

------------------
00 Excursion Ltd, Oxford White, PSD, 4X4, 3.73 LS, WD Chip & Air Filter, Weld SS II's w/BFG 285 AT's, Billstein Shocks, Turbo Lifefaver w/F1 Module, Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar, Stull Grill, Clear Lenses, Burlwood Dash, Cladding Removed

[Hookem]

The springs were one of the last mods I have done. Aces- your Bilsteins will fit no problem. Before the Ranch Hand FER, it sat a little lower in the front not much but enough too tell just by looking. After it was exactly 2 inches lower in the front than in the rear. Unlike with the SD's our PSD Excursions all have the same springs front and rear. No camper packages or 250 vs 350 etc. So I would bet we would all see the same amount of lift, ~ 2 inches.
Anyway, I am extremly pleased it improved the handling and it still fits in the garage. I must admit though, after reading about the Helwig anti sway bars, I wil be adding the rear sometime soon.

------------------
00 Excursion XLT 4X4 PSD Arizona Beige 3.73 LS, BFG 295 KO's, Westin Nerf Bars, Fumoto valve, K&N Air, PP III, Ranch Hand FER, 550 front springs, Pro Comp Stabilizer, E-Brock IAS, Dynomax, Brite Box, Dual By Pass and Amsoil front to back

[Hookem]

Oh yeah, I forgot,

I dont know for sure but I dont think this heavy bumper makes as much difference if any on the 6000 lb springs as it did on the orginal which I believe were 4800 lb. I think if you swapped springs you would gain 2 inches as well. Now go measure and see if 2 inches in the front gets you level...

------------------
00 Excursion XLT 4X4 PSD Arizona Beige 3.73 LS, BFG 295 KO's, Westin Nerf Bars, Fumoto valve, K&N Air, PP III, Ranch Hand FER, 550 front springs, Pro Comp Stabilizer, E-Brock IAS, Dynomax, Brite Box, Dual By Pass and Amsoil front to back

[aces full]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hookem:
Before the Ranch Hand FER, it sat a little lower in the front not much but enough too tell just by looking. After it was exactly 2 inches lower in the front than in the rear.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm a little confused----mine sits 2" lower in front without a Ranch Hand FER!!!! I figure that those springs would get me to level. If I'm right, I wonder how you're level, considering the weight of the RanchHand?????

------------------
00 ExLtd,White,PSD,4X4, 3.73LS,WD Chip&Filter, Weld SS II's w/BFG 285 AT's, Billstein Shocks, TrboLifefaver w/F1 Module, Hellwig Anti-Sway,Stull Grill,Clear Lenses,WoodDash,Cladding Gone

[This message has been edited by aces full (edited 01-26-2001).]

[AJ'sDad]

My major concern is that the front end will sit too high and the truck will look funny.

There is someone on this board who stated that after he swapped the springs on his EX he needed to add blocks on the rear to make it level.

Normally this wouldn't bother me at all, BUT, I work downtown and have to park in a parking garage. I've measured the top of the garage and an Excursion and I should be able to fit in the garage with 1/2" of clearance if I add 285's to the EX and remove the roof rack crossmembers.

[Hookem]

Like I said, I dont think the FER really makes a difference with the 6000 lb springs.
I know these things are heavy (Ranch Hand says ~350 lbs) but with the added capacity of the X springs I cant even make the front end go down by pushing on it.
I too saw the post about the guy with the blocks and I asked about it. He said that it sits higher in the back and he liked that "look" He actually raised his truck where I just leveled mine.
One thing I will say is with it being "level" as defined by the way I measured from the wheel wells, The truck will actually appear to be front end high. I know because when we lowered the jacks for the first time after the spring install, I thought that itthe front was higher but measuring proved otherwise. Also now that they have been on for awhile either they have settled somewhat or I am used to it because it no longer looks high in the front to me. Tonite I will remeasure and see if there are any changes from first installing.



------------------
00 Excursion XLT 4X4 PSD Arizona Beige 3.73 LS, BFG 295 KO's, Westin Nerf Bars, Fumoto valve, K&N Air, PP III, Ranch Hand FER, 550 front springs, Pro Comp Stabilizer, E-Brock IAS, Dynomax, Brite Box, Dual By Pass and Amsoil front to back