Well its almost finished! Just need to get the front end aligned. Can't make any serious comments on drivability until that happens. What I do like is the stance with the new set-up. The old girl was a little saggyThe job went well but the related problems seemed to take longer than the actual swap....the remounting of the front bumper, new rear spring perches, new SS brake lines, frozen rear bleeder, bent driveshaft etc. The set-up includes the 3" RSK from SKY, 5" rear ICON lift springs(eliminates rear block), new Bilsteins, SS brake lines, and adjustable trac bar. Will post the pics on webshots this weekend.
Congrats on the swap - I am subscribing. Look forward to the pics.
__________________
1997 F250 XLT Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed 160,000 ml.
K&N Intake
3" DP
TSM Rear Disc Brake Conversion
Add-a-Leaf Level Kit
Bilsteins 4600
Ranch Hand Replacement Front & Rear
Westin Nerf Bars
16x10 Pacers W/315 75x16 KM2
Most importantly
I am the proudest member of the
Fight'n Texas Aggie Class of '07 Gig'em
Thanks Guys! No, I did not try to align it myself. Morgan Frame in South Amboy, New Jersey will put the truck on the frame machine to do the alignment and make sure everything is square. He also has some welding to do as my shop is not set-up to do it. The pics of the swap are online now on webshots.
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO CARYT for suppling me with the parts and technical assistance throughout the process! He is most definitely the OBS WIZ !
How long did it take to do the swap? You said there is some welding to do, is that on the hanger or something else? One more ? did you use 250 or 350 springs in the front? Thanks for the info, looks good.
I would say conservatively one week while at work. The related upgrades and repairs slowed us down. The rear spring perch rivets needed to be ground off and new grade 8 bolts/nuts installed. The nuts will be welded to make a rivet. Also, the drop trac bar bracket and front hanger will be welded but not solid. The front springs are "V" codes...I don't believe it matters 250 or 350.
Truck looks good!, Couldn't see real close but it looks like the Bilsteins are upside down? I see you went with the ICONs on the rear, let me know how you like them I was considering the same as I have them on my 02 and love them.
__________________ 2002 Excursion 7.3 6" Edge w/35" BFG All Terrain AIS intake & 4" stainless Magnaflow, Edge Evolution and Autometer gauges, slotted cryogenic rotors, Bilstein shocks,Double bypass system, coolant filter, Evans coolant w/203 thermostat, CCV mod, 85k. 1995 F250 4x4 Ex-cab 7.3 w/5spd, Dana 60 front axle. Super duty springs (front and back), Bilstein shocks. 2007 Kawasaki Mule Trans 4x4 Diesel
Last edited by bigballrz : 10-19-2009 at 06:56 PM.
Reason: typos
So you have not really gave your opinion on the ride. The ride quality live up to your expectations?
Pros & cons of the mod? I know the softer ride is the driving factor for this modification but are there any cons once it is installed. If you ever replace the stock bumper with an after market bumper brush guard combo the front shackels will be exposed quite a bit since they hang down more than they used to, correct?
Webshots look good - truck looks great! Thanks for the photos.
__________________
1997 F250 XLT Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed 160,000 ml.
K&N Intake
3" DP
TSM Rear Disc Brake Conversion
Add-a-Leaf Level Kit
Bilsteins 4600
Ranch Hand Replacement Front & Rear
Westin Nerf Bars
16x10 Pacers W/315 75x16 KM2
Most importantly
I am the proudest member of the
Fight'n Texas Aggie Class of '07 Gig'em
So you have not really gave your opinion on the ride. The ride quality live up to your expectations?
Pros & cons of the mod? I know the softer ride is the driving factor for this modification but are there any cons once it is installed. If you ever replace the stock bumper with an after market bumper brush guard combo the front shackels will be exposed quite a bit since they hang down more than they used to, correct?
Webshots look good - truck looks great! Thanks for the photos.
The truck has not been aligned as of yet. Hopefully today or Friday. I have ordered a bumper valance from LMC Truck to cover the spring hangers. CaryT has a valance on his rig.
DUH! Thats why the markings on the shocks are upside down. I guess thats why I'm not a mechanic!
Thanks Sheepman!
Does any one know if you can just use the superduty springs instead of the spring hanger along with the springs? If i figure right the hanger and the reverse arch of the superduty springs will give something like 5 or 6 inch's over stock. Thats alot if you just want to run 285's or 295's, I would think.
Does any one know if you can just use the superduty springs instead of the spring hanger along with the springs? If i figure right the hanger and the reverse arch of the superduty springs will give something like 5 or 6 inch's over stock. Thats alot if you just want to run 285's or 295's, I would think.
If you use the 3" Sky RSK and the Dana 60 SD spring conversion, you'll go up
about 4-5" total. Put 4" F350 blocks in the rear, and your truck will sit basically level. The SD springs are about 3.5" longer than the OBS springs, so you'll need to move the front hangers forward anyway. Most of the extra length on the SD springs is on the front (military wrap) side.
CaryT & SKY have a new RSK coming out very soon that will have less lift.
Not sure, but I think I've heard 1 - 1.5" vs the current 3 or 5" models.
If you use the 3" Sky RSK and the Dana 60 SD spring conversion, you'll go up
about 4-5" total. Put 4" F350 blocks in the rear, and your truck will sit basically level. The SD springs are about 3.5" longer than the OBS springs, so you'll need to move the front hangers forward anyway. Most of the extra length on the SD springs is on the front (military wrap) side.
CaryT & SKY have a new RSK coming out very soon that will have less lift.
Not sure, but I think I've heard 1 - 1.5" vs the current 3 or 5" models.
I've heard the same thing. You'll still need some type of front hanger no matter what. My 315's(34.8") still hit the leaf spring on the drivers side before the alignment so I'm hoping it stops doing that. Otherwise I'll put the 1/4" spacers back on.
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Just need to get the front end aligned. Can't make any serious comments on drivability until that happens. What I do like is the stance with the new set-up. The old girl was a little saggy
The job went well but the related problems seemed to take longer than the actual swap....the remounting of the front bumper, new rear spring perches, new SS brake lines, frozen rear bleeder, bent driveshaft etc. The set-up includes the 3" RSK from SKY, 5" rear ICON lift springs(eliminates rear block), new Bilsteins, SS brake lines, and adjustable trac bar. Will post the pics on webshots this weekend.
5 Speed Manual * 229,000 miles original owner* Banks Intercooler * TW Tunes * Centerforce Dual Friction w/SMF * Baby Swamps
Phantom II Pyrometer Fuel and Boost Gauges * Customized Dual 4" Diamond Eye SS Exhaust w/offroad pipe * Dieselsite Turbo Saver * 2001 IDM * Amsoil Bypass Filter * AFE/Tymar * Viair Onboard * Mag-Hytec Diff Cover * Amsoil Everywhere * LT315/70R17/D on M/T Classic Locks * Dieselsite OVERDRIVE, Adrenaline HPOP and CPR Fuel System* Beans D66 & Modded Pedestal * Super-Duty Spring Upgrades w/RSK & ICON Rears *
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