FordExcursions.com Forums
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 Posted:1/17/2007 06:46 |
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I stopped by the local Ford dealer earlier this week and ordered a pair of V-code leaf springs for the front end. I also ordered a pair of Skyjacker helper springs for the rear (in lieu of going to taller blocks). Going to be swapping the springs this weekend in hopes of obtaining some clearance again between the axle and bumpstop (right now it's about 3/8" on the front end -- makes for a very jarring ride).
From what I've read, this should be a direct swap. It doesn't look like my existing u-bolts will be long enough (nor do they look like they'll even last, they're so rusted). I was going to get new u-bolts from the parts store and figured a set of F-250 u-bolts for all 4 corners would be good.
However, it sounds like there are two types: square and rounded.
I looked at the rears and they definitely are the rounded type. No problem there.
The frontend, though, appears to be a rounded-square type u-bolt. Can anyone confirm the type of u-bolts? I want to make sure to get the correct type and length so I'm not making multiple parts store runs this weekend when I swap the springs.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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housedad
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• mt royal, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 10/8/2005 |
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• 88 posts |
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Posted:1/17/2007 07:46 |
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Standard Excursion U bolts work fine for the front with the V-codes. The original springs and the V codes are the same thickness.
The fronts are square bottom U bolts.
The rear U bolts are normal round bottom U bolts. I take it that you are putting in a Add-a-leaf spring in the rear.
Is it the long Softride long Add-a-leafs, or is it the short Heavy duty add-a-leafs?
ON EDIT: Nevermind, I just checked their site and they only list the Softride long for the Excursion.
In any case, For the rear your U-bolts would not need to be any more than 1/2 inch longer to accommodate the new spring. And 1/2 inch would be a lot for just one extra leaf.
Take your tape measure with you to the store. |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:1/17/2007 18:08 |
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| Quote: | | In any case, For the rear your U-bolts would not need to be any more than 1/2 inch longer to accommodate the new spring. And 1/2 inch would be a lot for just one extra leaf. |
Since Eric installed a set of radius-rods, he can remove what's left of the OEM traction bar (1/2" thick), and use standard length U-bolts in the rear. |
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Posted:1/17/2007 18:19 |
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Thanks for the info on the u-bolts. I'll stick with what I have and see how it goes.
| Quote: | | Quote: | | In any case, For the rear your U-bolts would not need to be any more than 1/2 inch longer to accommodate the new spring. And 1/2 inch would be a lot for just one extra leaf. |
Since Eric installed a set of radius-rods, he can remove what's left of the OEM traction bar (1/2" thick), and use standard length U-bolts in the rear. |
I'm interested to see how it'll all go together. The OEM traction bar may be in the way of the add-a-leafs (which are simply a single leaf). Looks pretty straight forward, but I'm sure it will be a PITA when I dig into it this weekend and find that everything is rusted/seized.  
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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housedad
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• mt royal, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 10/8/2005 |
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• 88 posts |
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Posted:1/17/2007 18:33 |
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Start applying the penetrating fluid now!!! 
Just watch out for knuckle busters!! |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:1/17/2007 18:44 |
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| Quote: | | Looks pretty straight forward, but I'm sure it will be a PITA when I dig into it this weekend and find that everything is rusted/seized. |
I would suggest getting a new set of U-bolts and nuts, especially if your X is a daily driver. I'd hate to be in a situation where I've busted one, and then have to wait for the dealer to get new ones in. Aren't those U-bolts torque-to-yield? Meaning they're not supposed to ever be re-used? |
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Posted:1/17/2007 22:04 |
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| Quote: | | Quote: | | Looks pretty straight forward, but I'm sure it will be a PITA when I dig into it this weekend and find that everything is rusted/seized. |
I would suggest getting a new set of U-bolts and nuts, especially if your X is a daily driver. I'd hate to be in a situation where I've busted one, and then have to wait for the dealer to get new ones in. Aren't those U-bolts torque-to-yield? Meaning they're not supposed to ever be re-used? |
Don't know. I'll stop by Napa tomorrow to see if they can get them as opposed to having the dealer order them from out-of-state. If not, I'll just order from the dealer.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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housedad
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• mt royal, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 10/8/2005 |
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• 88 posts |
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Posted:1/19/2007 09:07 |
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Well, did you find the bolts? |
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Posted:1/19/2007 11:12 |
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| Quote: | | Well, did you find the bolts? |
Picked 'em up this morning from the Ford dealer. NAPA doesn't carry a specific inventory of (and apparently can't order) U-bolts. You'd have to know sizes, etc. to get them from NAPA.
I'll post the costs on parts as well as pics and a "howto" after I finish things up this weekend.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Posted:1/21/2007 22:36 |
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I ordered replacement u-bolts from the dealer and of course they ordered the wrong ones. Since I discovered this after I started the swap, I just stuck with my original u-bolts (but did use the new nuts from the dealer). The u-bolts were actually in pretty good shape -- I was expecting them to be heavily rusted.
Here's a pic of the square u-bolt (left) and my rounded-square u-bolt (right):
Here are pics of the entire install which I will be outlining with complete instructions and a few more before/after pics this week as I get some miles put on the new leaf springs: http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/9/54681 My initial impression is that there's a significant difference in ride quality.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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