Suspension Upgrades - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

BWCA · 02-28-2007, 12:42 AM

Modified b codes in rear with airlift bags is an awesome ride.I seem to have got around 2 inches of lift with my set up. Have not tried the bigger sway bar or radius rods as of yet.I have 4 inch lift national springs in the front.

boatpuller · 02-28-2007, 10:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Modified b codes in rear with airlift bags is an awesome ride.I seem to have got around 2 inches of lift with my set up. Have not tried the bigger sway bar or radius rods as of yet.I have 4 inch lift national springs in the front.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you.

Did you try the b codes alone before adding the air bags? What was that like?

How much psi do you run in the air bags when the excursion is empty?

leros · 02-28-2007, 11:28 AM

I just did the V and B code change and haven't put my airbags back on yet. The ride in the rear is night and day difference. I have speed bumps in a parking lot near me, with the orig springs it would bounce and jarr you pretty good. now with the (modified) B codes it's extremely soft and smooth going over them. I also had passengers in the back over the weekend and the ride was much smoother than it used to be, I didn't see their heads bobbing like I used to see.

The jury is still out on the squirrly freeway driving, interested to see what towing is going to be like. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

BTW, I run the min. 5 lbs in my bags when empty.

boatpuller · 02-28-2007, 12:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I just did the V and B code change and haven't put my airbags back on yet. The ride in the rear is night and day difference. I have speed bumps in a parking lot near me, with the orig springs it would bounce and jarr you pretty good. now with the (modified) B codes it's extremely soft and smooth going over them. I also had passengers in the back over the weekend and the ride was much smoother than it used to be, I didn't see their heads bobbing like I used to see.

The jury is still out on the squirrly freeway driving, interested to see what towing is going to be like. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

BTW, I run the min. 5 lbs in my bags when empty.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's valuable information, but I have a few additional questions:

Were you able to only run 5 psi with the stock springs and NOT have the air bags bottom out? I have to run 10-15 psi just to prevent the bottoming out. Maybe my stock springs have settled.

How colasped(sp?) were the air bags on your stock springs? Mine are a LOT less than the ideal 5-6 inches.

When you put the air bags back on with the B springs, will you report back?

Tanks for your information, and in advance for your additional info.

jeffzielin · 02-28-2007, 01:24 PM

Ok so modified B's. Can you explain what you did to modify them. I think it's a combination old your old X springs and the stock B's. Am I right?

On mine it looks like V's on the front of mine because I have the diesel and on the rears I have to choose between F's or modified B's. I know that the rate on the F's is higher now. How do the modified B's compare to the modified F's?

Is there anything I have to modify to get these spring on? I don't think there is but I want to make sure before I jump into this. Also I have seen posts on how to do the fronts but have not seen any on the rears. Are there any pic's or post's out there anywhere on step by step for the rear?

Also I made a number of called to the local shops around town here this morning asking for take off's and nobody had them or even understands what it is I am trying to do. Ugg!

leros · 02-28-2007, 01:25 PM

Mine always seem to fit funny, didn't really sit straight. I don't think I ever bottomed out, but I never had bags on for the first 8 months while stock. When I lifted it 4.5 inches, I installed the bags for towing to eliminate the squat. I had to fabricate an extension for the bottom mounts after the lift, I think i need to change it again with the B code change. I'll let you know how it is when I put the bags back on.

jeffzielin · 02-28-2007, 01:36 PM

I have a few more quick ones. Once I put the V's on the front do I want to change the stock bumpstops on my X with the shorter one's for a F250? and do I need to change them out on the rears as well and lastly what are the part numbers for the V codes, F codes and B codes. Thanks guys! I've almost got it nailed down now.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Bruce1954 · 02-28-2007, 01:37 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Boatpuller,

Tremendously! Thank you. That help's a lot. So it sounds like set of stock V's for the front for sure.

On the rears you speak of B and F springs what would be the difference between both of those? I have also heard of S codes. Are those to get lift? Trying to narrow what I need on the rear.

I still want it to sit level when I'm not towing once I'm done with these upgrades. I'm not too concerned about the squating when I do tow because I have a Head and Arms unit to lift it back up once I attach my trailer. I just wanted to be sure I would still be able to lift it back up enough to get it back level using the Head and Arms unit without putting the Airbags on. How much are the airbags approx.

I currently have a 4x2 F250. Will it squat about as much as it does when I'm towing with that? I would think so.

I think I'm almost there. Just need to clear up a few more questions.

You also mention a sway bar. Did you use a Helwig or a Stock F250 or F350? and you mentioned Radius Rods. I thought I read somewhere on this forum that those were not nessesary if you did the spring upgrade?

Thanks for helping clear a few thing up!
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

OK sounds like the front spring questions were aswered fairly well but if you PM you email I will send you a excel sheet done in early 02 that lists all the front springs and the minimum lift you can expect, I say minimum because it was based on fairly new C and D code front X springs with recorded changes using Us Vs and Ws the rest of the numbers are calculted but the chart is very close and has been time proven now.

Bs are a bit softer than Fs, Fs replaced the Bs when they went to coils on the 4X4s I think, us poor forgotted X folks never got coils.

If you wnat to level your truck AND can not deside between Us and Vs you can use one of each. Note that I now have my second X and the first one had Vs.

Bs will lift the rear about 1/2" the Fs about 3/4" lots of options here for a little more. There has been much posted on rear upgrades in the last few months.

Ws and Xs are front springs for the 450s and 550s and have more arch height as well as being stiffer.

Just keep asking and you will find someone here with the same use and wants as you have.

Bruce

yanvaryjt · 02-28-2007, 09:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Ok so modified B's. Can you explain what you did to modify them. I think it's a combination old your old X springs and the stock B's. Am I right?

Is there anything I have to modify to get these spring on? I don't think there is but I want to make sure before I jump into this. Also I have seen posts on how to do the fronts but have not seen any on the rears. Are there any pic's or post's out there anywhere on step by step for the rear?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty easy to modify the rear B or F code spring packs:

1. Place a C-clamp on the B or F code spring pack to hold the leaves together. Remove spring center bolt. Loosen C-clamp to allow spring pack to come apart.

2. Remove the thick, flat leaf from the bottom of the pack. Remove sheet metal shims between the leaves.

3. Do step 1 and 2 to the stock Excursion spring packs once removed from your Ex (remove the spring shackles with the springs). Remove the lower anti-wrap leaf (with the rubber bumber) then the two shortest leaves. Anti-wrap leaf will not be re-used.

4. Install the two short leaves from the Excursion pack onto the B or F code pack. Place one aluminum shim from the Excursion pack between each of the modified B/F code leaves. There are enough. Place th thick, flat overload spring leaf from the B/F code pack against shortest Excursion leaf.

5. Using a long bolt of the proper diameter, insert it into the centering bolt holes of the springs and shims. Next, use C-clamps to compress spring pack together.

6. Once compressed, remove the long bolt and install the centering bolt you removed from the Excursion spring pack in step 3. Tighten the bolt (nut should be against the longest leaf).

7. Install the shackle from the Ecursion spring pack to the B/F code spring pack.

8. Reinstall spring pack onto Excursion using the Excursion block between the axle and spring. Excursion axle u-bolts will fit the modified B/F code spring packs. Stock length shocks work also.

9. Snug the bolts/nuts and set it on the ground.

10. Tighten all nuts/bolts to specs.

That's it, rear is easy. Remember to use jackstands to suspend the rear of your Excursion up high enough to remove the tires and drop the axle down low enough to remove the spring packs. You'll have to do a little pushing, pulling etc to get the spring centering bolt to line up with the spring block and axle spring pad. Not hard, use your jack to help. Passenger side will require loosening and movement of the rear AC lines to remove the front spring bolt and spring.

I did Ws and modified Bs in my driveway by myself using a floor jack, jackstands, and hand/air tools. Took about 5 1/2 hours.

Bruce1954 · 02-28-2007, 10:18 PM

Thanks that is short and concise!

I was wondering what it takes to keep the rear weight of the x off the variable rate spring, sounds like you have come up with it.

How much room do you have between the variable rate spring on the bottom and the shortest Excursion leaf?

A picture of it unloaded would be great.

Bruce

yanvaryjt · 02-28-2007, 10:42 PM

I sent you a picture of the spring pack loaded, wheel removed, on a floor jack. Currently I'm on the road and won't be able to take more pictures till Saturday.

Ty

jeffzielin · 03-01-2007, 02:31 PM

And how much did this modified spring pack raise your truck?

You also mention modifing the B's OR the F's. I thought the F's were good to use as they were built (Stock). Why modify the F's

Thanks,

yanvaryjt · 03-02-2007, 12:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
And how much did this modified spring pack raise your truck?

You also mention modifing the B's OR the F's. I thought the F's were good to use as they were built (Stock). Why modify the F's

[/ QUOTE ]

I got 2.75" lift in the rear with the modified B code spring pack over the stock Ex springs. I haven't modded the Fs however, the same technique I used for the Bs could be applied to the Fs.

I modified the B codes in order to maintain the stock forward rake of the truck after I installed W code springs up front. Ws added about 2" of lift.

Ty

jeffzielin · 03-02-2007, 12:47 PM

Sweet thanks!

Bruce1954 · 03-02-2007, 02:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I sent you a picture of the spring pack loaded, wheel removed, on a floor jack. Currently I'm on the road and won't be able to take more pictures till Saturday.

Ty

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks like there is plenty of room to the overload.

Looks like I may only add one spring from the old pack.

Thanks
Bruce