Suspension upgrades for a 2001 X - Diesel Forum

ScaldedDog · 06-12-2003, 11:57 PM

I've been lurking here awhile and have learned a lot, I think. Anyway, I bought an 01 Limited X a month ago, with 62K on the clock. I've already replaced the stock shocks with Rancho 9000X's and the tires with 285/75 BFT AT's. Here's the list of "issues" I still have:

1) The thing still sways bad, even with the shocks set pretty stiff.
2) The front springs only clear the bump stops by 1/2 inch, so it hits bottom a lot.
3) The rear end squats too much when towing my 6000lb trailer.

Here's what I'm planning to do, along with my questions. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, particularly if you have personal experience making all this stuff work together.

1) Install the Hellwig sway bar. Everyone seems to think this is a good idea, install issues notwithstanding.
2) Install some sort of air-bag suspension, probably the Soft-Rides. Recommendations? Will they work OK with the sway bar?
3) Install new, I assume, U-code springs up front. Are these the right ones? How much lift can I expect? How much rougher will they ride, when not on the bottom? :-)

Thanks,

Mark

jschira · 06-13-2003, 07:07 AM

Consider Timbrens as an alternative. Not too expensive ($150/axle) and a 1/2 hour install.

Click on the link below to see pics of my install.

Just a suggestion. Maybe not as good, but a lot less $$$ and hassle than new front springs/air bags.

A Rusch · 06-13-2003, 10:06 AM

Suggestions are hard to give to someone I don't know - I'll tell you that I do like a truck to ride like a truck. With that said - I'm happy with the ride I have with mine with one exception. I have the X code springs in front and an add-a-leaf in the rear - I will be adding a sway bar, but the X springs helped the body roll a bunch. I gained an initial 2.5 inches on the front that settled down to just over 2 inches - with the add-a-leaf in the rear, it brought it up just about 2.5 inches with no settle over time. Mine handles as good as my wife's car and is driven harder through corners with no worries. The ride is not harsh, although I did have my Rancho's set on 5 all around and liked them there - the problem came when you wanted to drink from a cup - it was too harsh for drinking, just wearing your drink. They are all set on 3 now and it rides perfect. Since I don't tow much, I can't report about its behavior but I will say it doesn't handle like it weighs 4 tons....... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

As far as the rear end squat - I was told the added leaf would increase the weight capacity of the suspension by 800 lbs - doesn't make the truck's rating higher legally, but does keep it from squatting with a load on it (I have towed, but not much - check the link in my sig for the 'small house' pics).

Bruce1954 · 06-14-2003, 08:21 AM

Dog

I may have been the first to document results of using Ford SD spings on the X I have V codes, It depends on what you want to your truck to do or look like that will deturmine your spring selection.

You are correct the U code seems to be the "gold standard" for normal performance ride and handling. U codes give about a 1-1/4 lift on a new X but you are down to 1/2" inch of clearance so figure you will be at 2 to 2-1/2 inches of clearance, V codes about 1/4" more.

Also You hve done your home work except the order and you forgot or did not find the bump stop change. Im my opinion --->

Change front springs, you could get lucky and find some take offs

AFTER! spring change get 2 2003 Bump stops for about $12.00 each from your dealer they will add another 1/2" and are softer. If it is a family vehicle without much towing then even T codes work well but only with the new stops.

Then Add sway bar Helwig or Ford 30MM not the 18 or Elusive 2003 26MM

Then add bags if needed.

I have worked on this for almost 2 years on this and have had many use my data with good results. Every thing from T codes to W codes, it depends on what you want. If you want lift over an inch or 2 get a lift kit with springs or add to stiffer Ford springsand a kit. If you want the truck to be like it should have been (In the opinion of many)use the T, U or V code.
I also have an Excel file that give all height changes for a PSD X or any SD if the correct Data is inserted, PM your email if you would like it.

Here is a link to all the good old info, Good luck

http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbt...ue#Post1010776

ScaldedDog · 06-15-2003, 08:06 PM

Thanks guys. Bruce, you rock, man. I thought I'd read a lot on this subject, but I didn't know the half of it.

I'm tempted to go with the V's and air bags right off the bat. I think the V's will bring the front up to about stock height - maybe 1/4" higher - and I can use the air bags to raise the rear a little, if necessary. Of course, my real rason for wanting them is to raise the rear by to stock height when I'm towing. Does this make sense?

If it do this, do you think I'll still need the rear sway bar? I'm not opposed to it, but don't want to spend money unnecessarily. I promised my new wife this thing wouldn't be another money pit like the 4Runner I drag behind it. :-)

Mark

dmftoy1 · 06-15-2003, 09:12 PM

You don't NEED the swaybar, but you WANT the swaybar. . .for the $136 it cost me, it was some of the best money spent. Makes highway exit/entrance ramps so much more fun! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Regards,
Dave

jdadamsjr · 06-15-2003, 10:53 PM

I beg to difer with the want vs need of the sway bar !
I think it's a safety issue if you have to do a quick lane change and the inside rear tire almost leaaves the ground !

Ask my mother-in-law that actually HIT her head on the rear passenger window while going down a farm to market road (in front of $300k homes that were being built - all the heavy trucks, etc.. for the home building had wotn out the right side of the road and if you couldn't avoid the dips, the '02 Ex would dip and sway like a Mother !

and I didn't feel comfortable (read SAFE) going around ANY corner at more than 20 mph... the inside rear tire felt like it would leave the ground...

After the $126 Hellwig sway bar from JCW and the $45 install the beast handle a;most as well as the wifes lincoln ls around most corners !

ScaldedDog · 06-15-2003, 11:50 PM

I made not have made myself clear - I know I need to solve the problem a swaybar solves, I'm just wondering if I actually will need the bar to do it, once the V-codes are on the front and airbags are in the back. Bruce, or others who have these same mods, what do you think?

Mark

dmftoy1 · 06-16-2003, 09:13 AM

Yeah, I guess mine must've been one of the good ones because it wasn't that unstable before the swaybar, but I did notice that an exit ramp that I used to take at 55 (comfortably) is now very comfortable at 65.

Regards,
Dave

jschira · 06-16-2003, 10:01 AM

Same with me. I didn't think that the sway bar did that much, felt the same to me, until I looked at the speedo and realized how fast I was going around corners.

ScaldedDog · 06-17-2003, 08:56 PM

OK, I did a little measuring this afternoon and found that my 01 X, with 63K on the clock, sits almost exactly 1" lower, in the front, than my friend's two month old 03 F350 (6.0). He's got V-code springs, I've got the standard D-codes, though I'm pretty sure mine have sagged a half inch, or so, as I've got less than .5" clearance to the bump stop. He's got 3", or so, since his bump stops are much smaller. I measured from the top of the ubolt to the frame, as the ubolt mounts and frams shapes appeared to be the same on both. Of course, he sits higher in the back, as he's got the camper package.

Here's what I'm thinking: Go with V-codes, which look to me like they'll raise the front no more than an inch, or so. I know this doesn't agree with Bruce's calculations, but I'm beginning to wonder if the X's really were lowered an inch, with respect to the F-series pickups, or if they just sag quickly.

Does this make sense? I bought the V-codes today, so I really want to find out if my logic is faulty before I eat them. :-)

Mark

TXANGLER · 06-17-2003, 10:31 PM

I'd go with Bruce's numbers. He's was on with my W codes and I may have sagged 1/4" in 30K miles.

Tx

capntroy · 06-18-2003, 02:27 AM

Mark,
Maybe I'm chiming in too late since you've already bought your springs, but here's what I did;
I tow a 14,000 lb. boat with 1,500 lbs. of tongue weight with my X, so almost immediately after I bought the X, I installed the 5,000 lb. RideRites air bags, that took care of the squat and took away the bounce that happens when you're towing heavy and hit a dip on the freeway. I keep 5-10 psi in the bags at all times and pump it up to 90 psi when towing the boat.
Just a week ago, I installed X springs, Ford rear 4" blocks, Rancho 9000's and BFG TA/KO 295-75-16's. The X springs lifted the front about 2.5" and the blocks lifted the rear 2".
I'm really happy with the ride, I no longer bottom the front out and the ride actually seems to be better, I feel imperfections in the road less than before.
The X definately looks better now with the oem lift.
Troy

ScaldedDog · 06-18-2003, 09:08 AM

Thanks Cap'n. That does help, since I can assume the V's will lift mine much less than the 2.5" you mentioned. I'll pump up the bags to make it level, and have a set of blocks made if the right height requires much more than the minimum pressure in the bags.

Mark

seseattle · 06-18-2003, 06:58 PM

I agree with most of what been said, but wanted to throw in a plug for the Hellwig rear helper springs. I've tweaked the heck out of them and am now really pleased. With used V-code springs, I now have 3/4" more rake than stock. I can also drop my travel trailer on with only 3/4" drop (1,100# tongue weight). It rides great to boot.

The only caveat for X owners is to tighten them up at least halfway to ensure they don't crunch your rear heat and A/C lines if you should hit a bump. Don't ask how I know...

Scott